Although the Soviet Union had the fourth largest coastline in the world (approximately 37,000 kilometers or 23,000 miles) they were not an open sea faring nation. Most of their coastline bordered the Arctic Ocean which was land locked a major portion of the year limiting Soviet naval operations. Therefore, the Soviets developed a submarine and littoral navy with emphasis on the … [Read more...] about Soviet Naval Vessel Availability 1941-45
Naval Vessels
US Production WWII: Ships, Planes, and Tanks
Naval vessels and aircraft dominated US production inS Production WWII with regards to expenditures. The Allied nations were unique in the production of landing craft with the US producing 84,198. Landing craft aren't foremost in discussions of WWII naval warfare but they were core to their strategies of island hopping in the Pacific and invasion forces in Western Europe and … [Read more...] about US Production WWII: Ships, Planes, and Tanks
Warships Produced by Nation by Total Tonnage 1940-45
The two Allied nations, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), far outproduced their Axis counterparts in warships. Strategically, both the US and the UK believed in two ocean navies as well as worldwide trade. Japan to a lesser degree depended upon trade but it was limited in scope to the Pacific and their navy reflected that fact. Additionally, the US and UK had … [Read more...] about Warships Produced by Nation by Total Tonnage 1940-45
Annual Allied Axis Naval Construction 1939-45
In all aspects of naval construction, save submarines, the Allies outproduced their Axis foes significantly. In battleship production the Allies outproduced the Axis by a 2.6 to one ratio. Aircraft carriers, cruisers, escorts, and destroyers the Allies’ ratios were higher. In submarines the Axis produced 1336 to 370 Allies units for a 3.6 to one ratio. The UK and US both … [Read more...] about Annual Allied Axis Naval Construction 1939-45
Allies Axis Weapon Production – Naval Forces
Reflecting the German versus Allies naval forces philosophical differences on prosecuting the naval war it is only in submarines that the Axis nations out produce the Allied nations. Although Japan desired to expand their sea power capabilities, they did not have the wherewithal to match the US and UK naval forces production capabilities. Sea Faring Culture Of the … [Read more...] about Allies Axis Weapon Production – Naval Forces
Allies Axis Major Weapons Groups – Production Summaries
The Allied nations outproduced the Axis nations in every weapons group except for missiles. German V-1 and V-2 rockets were a harbinger of the Cold War and beyond. However, in World War 2 the V-1 and V-2 missiles were imprecise and too few to be effective in halting the Allied onslaught in western Europe. Prewar Expectations Germany foresaw a series of short wars or … [Read more...] about Allies Axis Major Weapons Groups – Production Summaries
German Soviet War Production, 1940-45
With the exception of warships, Soviet war production rate ratios were in their favor for the 1940-45 timeline. Each weapon or platform type had their unique up and down ratio trends but overall the production trends were upwards for the USSR. Manufacturing Production Philosophy “Quantity has a quality all its own.” It is debated if Stalin ever said this, but it was … [Read more...] about German Soviet War Production, 1940-45