they started so many wars that they didn't have enough people to replace their losses and after a while the allies' industrial might out produced the german army
battle of the bulge the US army was sending high school kids straight off the boat with no equipment and no training into battle. when they died, there were more of them. not so for german losses
they started so many wars that they didn't have enough people to replace their losses and after a while the allies' industrial might out produced the german army
battle of the bulge the US army was sending high school kids straight off the boat with no equipment and no training into battle. when they died, there were more of them. not so for german losses
Although Germany was indeed dealing with manpower shortages, the US didn't have overwhelming manpower to throw at Germany either - that describes Russia better than the US. What we did have was vastly better equipped soldiers, and an overwhelming material advantage. Our forces were highly mobile by comparison, and had vastly superior artillery support and air dominance at that point. I don't believe the US sent our soldiers into battle with "no equipment and no training." In all the interviews I've seen
"The bulk of the German forces were driven back by Patton's third army (who were about as well equipped as they came) as he wheeled up from the south, and by Monty, who took control Bradley's army group in addition to his own, since he was cut off from them. I don't see how you could characterize these armies as under-equipped or poorly trained either."
"The bulk of the German forces were driven back by Patton's third army (who were about as well equipped as they came) as he wheeled up from the south, and by Monty, who took control Bradley's army group in addition to his own, since he was cut off from them. I don't see how you could characterize these armies as under-equipped or poorly trained either."
American deaths 19,276 American wounded 47493
German deaths 15,652. Wounded 41,600.
Doesn't look very well equipped to me.
The Germans were tough and smart soldiers - considered to be the best in the world at the time. They essentially gathered the last of their strength and pounded at the allies weakest point in the line, catching them by surprise (the Allies were very overconfident at that point) and inflicting a great deal of damage. However, the Battle of the Bulge was, in reality, their last ability to perform anything but defensive holding actions.
Keep in mind that during WW2 we didn't have the overwhelming technical su
The German kill ratio was always amazing due to their skills at training the small units to swap roles and keep the fire rate up with good weapon systems. Their tank crews where also well trained even without 'real' tanks in the 1930's. The supply line issue and complex mechanical designs also took a toll on German forces. Fuel would arrive but no ammo or parts. If parts did arrive you needed local expert workshop like conditions while been at war. If you got your tank repaired you then faced a loss of
germany ran out of people (Score:2)
they started so many wars that they didn't have enough people to replace their losses and after a while the allies' industrial might out produced the german army
battle of the bulge the US army was sending high school kids straight off the boat with no equipment and no training into battle. when they died, there were more of them. not so for german losses
Re: (Score:3)
they started so many wars that they didn't have enough people to replace their losses and after a while the allies' industrial might out produced the german army
battle of the bulge the US army was sending high school kids straight off the boat with no equipment and no training into battle. when they died, there were more of them. not so for german losses
Although Germany was indeed dealing with manpower shortages, the US didn't have overwhelming manpower to throw at Germany either - that describes Russia better than the US. What we did have was vastly better equipped soldiers, and an overwhelming material advantage. Our forces were highly mobile by comparison, and had vastly superior artillery support and air dominance at that point. I don't believe the US sent our soldiers into battle with "no equipment and no training." In all the interviews I've seen
Re: (Score:0)
"The bulk of the German forces were driven back by Patton's third army (who were about as well equipped as they came) as he wheeled up from the south, and by Monty, who took control Bradley's army group in addition to his own, since he was cut off from them. I don't see how you could characterize these armies as under-equipped or poorly trained either."
American deaths 19,276
American wounded 47493
German deaths 15,652.
Wounded 41,600.
Doesn't look very well equipped to me.
Re: (Score:2)
"The bulk of the German forces were driven back by Patton's third army (who were about as well equipped as they came) as he wheeled up from the south, and by Monty, who took control Bradley's army group in addition to his own, since he was cut off from them. I don't see how you could characterize these armies as under-equipped or poorly trained either."
American deaths 19,276
American wounded 47493
German deaths 15,652.
Wounded 41,600.
Doesn't look very well equipped to me.
The Germans were tough and smart soldiers - considered to be the best in the world at the time. They essentially gathered the last of their strength and pounded at the allies weakest point in the line, catching them by surprise (the Allies were very overconfident at that point) and inflicting a great deal of damage. However, the Battle of the Bulge was, in reality, their last ability to perform anything but defensive holding actions.
Keep in mind that during WW2 we didn't have the overwhelming technical su
Re: (Score:2)
The Germans in WWII were the last nation to put up a better then 1:1 kill ratio against the USA. More impressive, considering they lost.
Re: (Score:3)
Re:germany ran out of people (Score:2)
That plus the fact that they were on the defensive - rule of thumb is a 3x advantage.