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
Soviet Artillery Availability 1941-45
The 76-millimeter field gun was the Soviet artillery piece to go to from start to finish in World War II. On average Soviet forces had 24,700 76-millimeter field guns available for use at any one time. But that is an overall average, the yearly availability of the 76-millimeter field gun ranged from 9,500 in 1942 to 41,100 in 1944. The 76-millimeter gun was renowned for its … [Read more...] about Soviet Artillery Availability 1941-45
Availability of Soviet Tanks 1941-45
In 1941 light tanks made up 93.8% of Soviet tanks, medium tanks 4.0%, and heavy tanks 2.2%. This would transition in 1945 to; 32.7% light tanks, 48.8% medium tanks, and 18.5% heavy tanks. Not only were the percentages changing but the overall quantities of medium and heavy tanks were rising as well. Total quantity of available tanks in 1941 was 22,600 and due to tremendous … [Read more...] about Availability of Soviet Tanks 1941-45
Soviet Light Arms Availability 1941-45
In 1941 rifles made up 96.6% of Soviet light arms, submachine guns 1.2%, and light machine guns 2.1%. This would transition in 1945 to 29.7% of Soviet light arms being submachine guns and light machine guns 3.5%. Submachine guns were becoming more of the standard issue. Not only were the percentages changing but the overall quantities were rising as well. Total quantity of … [Read more...] about Soviet Light Arms Availability 1941-45
US WW2 Production – Combat and Motor Vehicles
Tanks received the headlines and general-public fascination, but it was in non-combat motor vehicles, trucks, that the United States' industry produced in huge volumes, 2,455,964 units. Logistics was a core US and Allied WWII strategy, and trucks were at the forefront when it came to supplying the ground-based troops. Through Lend-Lease the US supplied the Soviet Union with … [Read more...] about US WW2 Production – Combat and Motor Vehicles
Relative Productivity Ranking Of World War II Foes
Of six major World War II combatants four Allied and two Axis nations the four Allied nations ranked one, two four, and five in industrial relative productivity ranking. Whereas Germany and Japan were third and sixth overall. Most of the combatant nations increased their productivity as the war went on but the Axis nations were fighting a losing battle industrially as well as … [Read more...] about Relative Productivity Ranking Of World War II Foes
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
Military Manpower by Nation 1940 to 1945
Germany’s manpower peaked in 1943. Germany’s raw military manpower numbers for 1944-45 don’t reflect that more and more of their men haven’t either reached their prime fighting age or were well beyond it. Japan’s manpower levels peak in 1945 but they have similar quality personnel as Germany making up those numbers. Germany and Japan are getting men into the ranks with less … [Read more...] about Military Manpower by Nation 1940 to 1945
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
Tank Production by Nation 1940 to 1945
Every year from 1940 to 1945 the Allies outproduced the Axis in tanks. Overall, the Allies tank production outstripped the Axis by a 4.2 to 1 ratio. Japan’s tanks production was minimal reflecting the type of war they faced in the Asia Pacific theater. In the European theater Germany’s production went up against the two war production heavyweights in the Union of the Soviet … [Read more...] about Tank Production by Nation 1940 to 1945
