"The allies strengths were responsible for their successes in the second world war"

Question 1

1)The industrial capacity of the allies far trumped the axis(Russia and the USA)

Answer 1

The economies of the allies was far better equipped for war. Take, for example, the soviet economy. Stalin shifted his armament factories eastward to the Ural mountains, resettling entire populations in order to efficiently produce weapons and other military resources out of the reach of german bombers. Russia, with the help of lend lease, was completely outproducing the Nazi’s by 1943, as best seen in the battle of kursk in 43. “
The Russian tanks were everywhere. We were outnumbered and outgunned, but we fought on anyway. We had no choice.” - Karl Fuchs, Panther tank commander.

The united states also had a massive industrial capacity, producing 70,000 tanks and 120,000 aircrafts when it reached full capacity. In 1943-44 the Japanese produced 7 aircraft carriers. The US produced 90.

Stats:3/4 of iron coal and steel industry, 40% of electricity generation lost. 1360 factories shipped to the urals in 1942

Question 2

1-cont)What did Richard Overy say?

Answer 2

The greater economic resources did not by itself guarantee allied victory. The key was the fact that they ‘turned their economic strength into an effective fighting power.’

They learnt from their mistakes in 1941 and took steps to increase the effectiveness of future combat force by:
Improving the quality as well as the number of military forces and technology
Excellent back up forces- in the pacific theatre, there were 18 American support personnel for every one serviceman. 1:1 for the Japanese.
The main directorate of the red army- general khrulev- was responsible for supplying the red army- and was treated equally to the rest of the generals. Contrast this with the axis- who placed more emphasis on military generals and strategists. Ensured that the allies were always well-supplied. Unlike the nazi’s(russia).

They set up a large civilian apparatus to support the allied forces . Nazi’s did not.

Question 3

3)Strategic decisions

Answer 3

War effort- 85% on germany 15% on japan.
Strategic bombing had a serious effect on germanys capacity to fight on the front.
Eg-Operation Chastise (May 1943): This operation targeted key dams in the Ruhr valley, which provided hydroelectric power and water to the German industrial heartland.
Mark Mazower, a historian at colombia university, calculated that the allies dropped 25000 tons worth of supplies to titos partisans.

Question 4

4)Allies had a tremendous will to win

Answer 4

It was a war worth fighting, a responsibility to stand up to those who were against world peace.

Anthony McAuliff

Question 5

5)

Answer 5

Although partisans are not traditionally discussed in conversations about the reasons for the allied successes-
Example- Josef brotz Tito’s partisans.
Tito’s partisans-
-Tied down 20 highly skilled german divisions.
-Destroyed over 1200 bridges and railway lines
-Over 6000 guerrilla style attacks
-Estimates vary, 110,000 killed

“Yugoslavia proved a severe and lasting drain on Germany’s military resources, and this contributed to the ultimate defeat of the Wehrmacht.”- John keegan.