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 North Africa. Landing craft were highly fought over between the Allies as each theater needed them for their operations.
“Everywhere one looks there are very impressive American production statistics throughout World War II. The war on the ground in Europe was often tank warfare. Between 1918 and 1933, the United States produced only 35 tanks, and no two of them the same model. In 1940, after witnessing Germany’s Blitzkrieg in Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, the United States produced 309 tanks, versus 1,400 in Britain and 1,450 in Germany. In 1943, however, the United States manufactured 29,500 tanks, more in 1 year than Germany produced in the entire war from 1939 to 1945. In all, the United States manufactured 88,430 tanks during World War II versus 24,800 in Britain and 24,050 in Germany.” (1)
(1) Source: Gropman, Alan L. “Mobilizing U.S. Industry In World War II: Myth And Reality.” Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, 1996, Washington, DC, Page 93. https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/23588/mcnair50.pdf
Table of Contents
US Industrial Production
An argument made by many is that with the combined Allied nations industrial might is that victory in World War 2 was all but a foregone conclusion. Except during the 1930s Germany led all nations in military production so the edge in Europe at least initially was with the Axis. German self-sufficiency was a key principle in their war preparations which included construction of synthetic fuel and rubber plants, prioritizing military over civilian economic policy, and stockpiling raw materials.
So, it was not a given that the Allies industrial might would trump Germany’s. US industries pivoting sharply from commercial products to military materiel was fraught with risk. US industries used to work at an arm’s length from the government now had to work hand in hand often conceding leadership to the government. Companies that previously competed vigorously now agreed to share patent and technical information. Shortages of manpower and materials were worked through coordinating committees based not just US need but upon greatest Allied need. The US and its Allied partners through its government, military, and industry leadership learned quickly how to work together. There were plenty of bumps in the road, but they worked as a team with a common goal. The Axis nations did not.
Germany squandered many of its early advantages. Germany’s vision required industrial and military mobilizations but not that of total war because they foresaw a series of short wars or political takeovers of states in one-on-one actions. Accordingly, Germany’s early war aircraft production was running two shifts for five days a week. Up to the Battle of Britain and Operation Barbarossa the German short war or political takeover scenario played out time and time again. The Allies on the other hand foresaw a long war and mobilized its industries accordingly with factories running around the clock seven days a week.
US Production Data
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US Production WWII: Ships 1941 – 1945
Source: Gropman, Alan L. “Mobilizing U.S. Industry In World War II: Myth And Reality.” Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, 1996, Washington, DC, Page 96. https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/23588/mcnair50.pdf
US Production WWII: Aircraft 1940 – 1945
Source: Gropman, Alan L. “Mobilizing U.S. Industry In World War II: Myth And Reality.” Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, 1996, Washington, DC, Page 96. https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/23588/mcnair50.pdf
US Production WWII: Tanks 1940 – 1945
Source: Gropman, Alan L. “Mobilizing U.S. Industry In World War II: Myth And Reality.” Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University, 1996, Washington, DC, Page 96. https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/23588/mcnair50.pdf
Other Production and Availability Data Links
Allies Axis Major Weapons Groups – Production Summaries
Soviet Artillery Availability 1941-45
German Flak Production History by Model
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