AIUI, as PotUS, FDR had the ability to declare surplus any military or gov't gear he wanted to. So, suppose shortly after WW2 starts (or after the Fall of France), he declares surplus a variety of stuff & offers it for sale to Britain (or the gov'ts in exile of France, the Netherlands, Poland, or whoever), & possibly Canada, at bargain-basement prices, with the idea of "pushing the war offshore".
What limits, if any, were there on FDR's generosity? I'm picturing about 100 of the old 4-pipers, a few dozen ancient O- & R-class subs, the S-class subs, the big V-boats (Bass, Bonita, Barracuda, maybe Narwhal & Nautilus), all the antique Krags in storage (some of the '03 Springfields, too?), a few older fighters (P-26s? P-36s? {Too new?}), plus a lot of the .30-'06 ammo (replaced by .276 for the Garand?).
This could have two benefits: it aids the weakened Allies, & it creates jobs by creating a need to replace the surplussed-off items.
Is this credible? Could Congress stop it? What else, if anything, could get handed over? What effect would it have on the war? On U.S. preparedness, given production of subs & DDs would have to increase much sooner to make these up?
What limits, if any, were there on FDR's generosity? I'm picturing about 100 of the old 4-pipers, a few dozen ancient O- & R-class subs, the S-class subs, the big V-boats (Bass, Bonita, Barracuda, maybe Narwhal & Nautilus), all the antique Krags in storage (some of the '03 Springfields, too?), a few older fighters (P-26s? P-36s? {Too new?}), plus a lot of the .30-'06 ammo (replaced by .276 for the Garand?).
This could have two benefits: it aids the weakened Allies, & it creates jobs by creating a need to replace the surplussed-off items.
Is this credible? Could Congress stop it? What else, if anything, could get handed over? What effect would it have on the war? On U.S. preparedness, given production of subs & DDs would have to increase much sooner to make these up?