What was the peak strength of each of the major Allied and Axis powers during WWII?

[Mithridates]

This excludes people on leave, those under treatment in hospitals and so on.

[Albany Rifles]

This excludes people on leave, those under treatment in hospitals and so on.

I don't know....what does your research say?

Your desire to get to true combat strength is not one stop shopping. It will take intensive research and differed by theater and combatant. For instance Indian Army statistics differed whether they were engaged in Ceylon, North Africa or at Imphal-Kohima.

When you figure it out how about posting your theses?

[zraver]

It also depends on when and how you classify things. 1942 was probably the high water mark for the Axis- Italy had not yet surrended and the massive losses of Stalingrad had yet to be felt. Germany had 9.8 million men in uniform.Italy added another 6 million and then there are the smaller Axis players. Allied strength was building, but no where near its eventual size. The Russians wouldnt have real numerical superiority over the Axis until mid 1943 for example.

[Mithridates]

I don't know....what does your research say?

Your desire to get to true combat strength is not one stop shopping. It will take intensive research and differed by theater and combatant. For instance Indian Army statistics differed whether they were engaged in Ceylon, North Africa or at Imphal-Kohima.

When you figure it out how about posting your theses?

This was an effort to find out if anyone had the figures on hand. I expect it's probably available in some hard cover book somewhere, but this is the kind of factoid that would be interesting to know without having to wade through dozens of books. Thanks for the reply, though.

[Albany Rifles]

This was an effort to find out if anyone had the figures on hand. I expect it's probably available in some hard cover book somewhere, but this is the kind of factoid that would be interesting to know without having to wade through dozens of books. Thanks for the reply, though.

That was kind of my point.

This level of analysis is more in the doctoral dissertation realm of knowledge.

This isn't Wiki kind of stuff.

[zraver]

The numbers are found on the net with some digging. feldgrau for example lists German manpower by year and service. It can be a bit harder to find the strengths of the bit players though.

[TopHatter]

The numbers are found on the net with some digging. feldgrau for example lists German manpower by year and service. It can be a bit harder to find the strengths of the bit players though.

I would think even for a major player like the Soviet Union you'd be at a huge disadvantage. Even if you has access to translated archives, who is to say they're anything like accurate?

[zraver]

I would think even for a major player like the Soviet Union you'd be at a huge disadvantage. Even if you has access to translated archives, who is to say they're anything like accurate?

Well they are never 100% accurate since the real umber changed hour by hour as Johnny at the front got sick, killed or injured and Johnny at the Deport showed up pimply faced and thinking war was a grand adventure... Thats why historians love round numbers.

Then (not for your info but others), who really was a member of the Axis? The Russians would say yes to Finland, no to Bulgaria. The US would say yes to Bulgaria and no to Finland. The UK would say yes to both.

[Doktor]

Well they are never 100% accurate since the real umber changed hour by hour as Johnny at the front got sick, killed or injured and Johnny at the Deport showed up pimply faced and thinking war was a grand adventure... Thats why historians love round numbers.

He went even further... those saluting the flag in the morning, no absences and leaves.

Then (not for your info but others), who really was a member of the Axis? The Russians would say yes to Finland, no to Bulgaria. The US would say yes to Bulgaria and no to Finland. The UK would say yes to both.

Which year? I doubt Russian would consider Bulgaria in 1941-1943 as Allies. After all, they liberated them and made them parts of Allies wink, wink...

[zraver]

He went even further... those saluting the flag in the morning, no absences and leaves.



Which year? I doubt Russian would consider Bulgaria in 1941-1943 as Allies. After all, they liberated them and made them parts of Allies wink, wink...

The USSR and Bulgaria were never at war with each other. Finland and the US were never at war. Pretty sure Iceland was like WTF.... whose gonna liberate us from the Anglo-Americans.

[Doktor]

They had uninvited troops on Bulgarian soil on September 9th, 1944.

Crossing a border of a state with military is war. Unless someone officially invites you.

[zraver]

They had uninvited troops on Bulgarian soil on September 9th, 1944.

Crossing a border of a state with military is war. Unless someone officially invites you.

My apologies, the USSR ad Bulgaria were at war for 3 days in 1944.

[artur axmann]

Why did Germany lose? Best army in the world at the time;best disciplined, best equipped and led by the best officers in the world . And none better not even today.

[Officer of Engineers]

The fact that they lost the war should tell you you know shit all

[artur axmann]

The fact that they lost the war should tell you you know shit all

Shit must be your field of expertise . since you mention it now.