But it isnt just human resources for fighting. It is human resources to work in production, farming, transport, mining, refining, financing etc.
Sure. Unless you remove Lend-Lease, they're still being used.
But it isnt just human resources for fighting. It is human resources to work in production, farming, transport, mining, refining, financing etc.
Stain was not happy about losses and the local commanders actually hid how bad their losses were. Then of course in the official history the Soviets lied their asses off about what actually happened and how many losses they inflicted and suffered.
It took armored forces, namely 5GTA, that suffered on the southern flank during Citadel several to be nearly rebuilt before resuming the offensive. There is a reason the Soviets simply let the Germans withdraw in peace. Simply having reserve forces assigned to a depleted army doesn't mean that army is suddenly operational again, it needs to train and reorganize before being combat operational again. Which is why there was such a substantial gap between the end of Citadel and the Soviet Belgorod-Kharkov offensive involving 5th GTA.
And Russian historians have even challenged the idea that the Soviets would be able to continue attacking even with their reserves:
Plus we've been over this in a thread a while back, the Soviet reserves weren't maneuvering on the flanks, they were headed straight at the Panzer Corps to contain them:
https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...int-vs-over-rated.447405/page-4#post-17300820
What forces came from AG-South to support AG-Center in Orel?
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The vastness of the Soviet state is for nothing if their industry is smashed and their people dislocated.
er no. It is possible maybe for Germany to achieve a stalemate in Europe, but to defeat the UK no chance..
I disagree. I dont think even Hitler would have been so stupid not to make some sort of piece by 43-44 as politically, economically, and socially Germany was spent. The reason they fought on in reality is because Germany, like the USSR, faced extermination (or at least felt that way thanks to genocidal bombings and Goebbels propaganda). In ATL in the OP, I believe both the USSR and Germany cannot really continue fighting, so they come to terms, lick wounds, and wait for round 2.And again: the only terms available were "fight on" or "extermination." The British (whom Hitler admired) and even the French (whom Hitler hated) were in a position to make or accept terms with Berlin. The Soviet Union did not have that option, either as a political entity, or as a People. Remember what Hitler's war aims actually were.
The reason the USA was willing to garrison Iceland was due to the edging towards war and the "neutrality zone". Of course I know that Iceland, as well as the Azores were not and never had been possessions of the USA. My point was supplying troops to occupy the one and potentially the other contributes to the US desire for a "safe" Atlantic. This is quite different from sending occupation force to garrison someplace like Iraq. Similarly the US did have some casualties prior to the entry in to the war, after all that is a risk of the military. However being willing to accept a small number of casualties (think of the Panay) is different from put tens of thousands of troops in to an area involved in an active "world war".
When LL was started, and it was at a much smaller level than it became after the USA was involved in the war. Since the USA has, for whatever reason, that being involved in WWII/war in Europe is not in the national interest, the political will to finance this effort by the British and Russians (and to a lesser extent the Free French and other "free" forces) simply won't be there.
I disagree. I dont think even Hitler would have been so stupid not to make some sort of piece by 43-44 as politically, economically, and socially Germany was spent.
This also assumes that Japan is not still allied to Britain and not deploying forces as well, it also assumes no other contributions. If there is peace in China (pretty dam necessary really to avoid a pacific war really) Chinese manpower could also be available in more direct way than used in WW1.BCE lost ~130,000 in the Malaya/Singapore debacle. And then on top of that around 1,000,000 men were committed to fighting the Japanese. That's a lot of extra manpower right there.
And I'm not arguing, and I don't believe @Michele is arguing, that without US troops WWII continues exactly the same with BCE forces from the Far East making up the US shortfall. I'm saying the extra forces enable Britain to close the Med and launch a slow grind in Italy - possibly landing in Southern France from Corisca once the Soviets reach Poland or somewhere and Germany starts to collapse.
It doesn't to my mind seem you're disagreeing with me, you're just taking the time to tell us that the US was very important to the European theatre in the Second World War?
What British bomber is dropping this off? How are the British ensuring air superiority against the Germans without American aircraft?If the British Empire did go tube alloys by 1945 I could see Hurricane laughing in Berlin or Nuremberg before the Soviet union gets to the vistula
Given the time that it would take the British to develop and produce an air launched nuclear weapon, do you not think it at all plausible that the British could adapt existing aircraft or even create a new design for the delivery system?What British bomber is dropping this off? How are the British ensuring air superiority against the Germans without American aircraft?
What British bomber is dropping this off? How are the British ensuring air superiority against the Germans without American aircraft?
Given the time that it would take the British to develop and produce an air launched nuclear weapon, do you not think it at all plausible that the British could adapt existing aircraft or even create a new design for the delivery system?
OTL immediately post 1945 British aircraft design was the pinnacle of aeronautics, so the skillset is clearly there, they just need a reason.
I always figured they could build on the Lincoln design. Similar 30,000 ft operational ceiling, and was designed to carry the Grand Slam bomb so could handle the weight. Would still require a lot of work, but the design could in theory be modified like the Silverplate was to the B-29.
I dabbled in gaming this one years ago. Wish I had time to do it again soon.
Of course they could; the Tudor spinoff was ready in June 1945, had nearly the same ceiling as the B-29, and enough payload.
You mean the Avro Lincoln?Of course they could; the Tudor spinoff was ready in June 1945, had nearly the same ceiling as the B-29, and enough payload.