Just a thought...

[Spook]

To Mikester & others wanting details on the effects of Lend-Lease on the East Front:

A couple of years ago, two guys posted at the Wargamers site an article specific to this subject. It is recommended reading. The link is:

http://www.wargamer.com/articles/lldocefx.asp

As a preview, though, I am posting in quotes below the article's concluding statements:

"The subject of Lend-Lease and other aid to Soviet Union during W.W.II has been the subject of considerable discussion. Opinions vary, even amongst the Russians, as to the effect of this Allied assistance on the Eastern Front.

The first question to be considered is; did Lend-Lease prevent the defeat of the Soviet Union? Probably not, the most important defensive battles were fought and won, before the arrival of large amounts of Allied aid. The survival of the Soviet Union was secured essentially with its own resources. The campaigns during the summer to the end of 1942, were definitely influenced by the Lend-Lease materials received until the Soviets production was brought up to capacity and then was further enhanced.

This brings forward the final question to be considered. Was Lend-Lease the factor that enabled the Soviets to win their war with Germany? A qualified yes. An examination of the types and volume of aid the Russians received very strongly supports this view. The enhancements to all aspects of Soviet mobility provided by large numbers of U.S. trucks can not be overstated. Most importantly, the Soviet logistics system was considerably augmented by the large numbers of trucks received. Each successive Soviet offensive launched in the second half of the war required longer and longer preparation times. This was primarily due to logistics difficulties caused by longer and longer lines of supply. Any serious reduction of the number of trucks available would have increased greatly the preparation time for each Soviet offensive.

Soviet ammunition shortages were almost entirely eliminated by Lend-Lease shipments of munitions. Were these shipments not made, ammunition supplies would have been an inordinately large factor in Soviet doctrine and planning. The resulting shortages of ammunition would certainly have led to even further delays of Russian offensives. Allied transfers of non-military items, such as food, enabled the Soviets to release large amounts of manpower for direct military use. This made it possible for the Russians to stave off manpower shortages until late in the war. All things considered without Lend-Lease the Soviet Union would probably have only been able to liberate its own territory by the time the Allies eventually defeated Germany."

[Mikester]

Thanks Spook,

Good info for sure. I learn something new every day.

Mikester out.