Vehicles and Trucks - The Motor Pool as Russia

[Zebedee]

ORIGINAL: BigAnorak

But from what I can tell, the Germans dont really have an issue with the motor pool.

They lose a lot of vehicles during the Blizzard, and come Summer 1942, they need to shut down an Army group so that the other 2 can support offensive operations. Once they are on the defensive there are less problems.

Just reading forums while considering to buy, but in summer 1942 Germany, as a rule, has the motor pool capacity to launch two full offensives by any two of the three Army Groups?

[Klydon]

Actually, it would be 2 of 4 at some point. Consider that most of AGN and a part of AGC shut down this period (IE, went static) and got no replacement vehicles (or very few). The vehicles that were available went to help rebuild the southern armies (what would become Army group A and B). Also realize that the two southern armies were relatively small (total 3 infantry and 2 panzer armies and allied formations).

[Zebedee]

ORIGINAL: Klydon

Actually, it would be 2 of 4 at some point. Consider that most of AGN and a part of AGC shut down this period (IE, went static) and got no replacement vehicles (or very few). The vehicles that were available went to help rebuild the southern armies (what would become Army group A and B). Also realize that the two southern armies were relatively small (total 3 infantry and 2 panzer armies and allied formations).

I'm aware of the history. I refer you to my question.

[Klydon]

Your original question asked if the Germans had enough motor transport to allow "two full offensives by any two of the three army groups".

My point is it depends on the size of the army groups. In the Case Blue scenario, trucks are an issue for the Germans if they try to follow through with the historical campaign.

[ComradeP]

A single army group and all the Axis mobile units should be able to take offensive action in 1942, but if you're going for, say, Fall Blau, you'll probably burn through a large part of your motorpool before you get close to Baku if the Soviets resist fiercely.

[Helpless]

2 out of 3 trucks in the Red Army in 1945 were made in the USA. Even still, they had a shortage.

This is not quite correct statement.

For example in may 1943 LL trucks were just 5.9% of the total,

by 1-May-1944, there was

home made - 408297 (75,4 %)
led leased - 113307 (20,9 %)
captured - 19862 (3,7 %)

Source ЦАМО РФ, taken from - http://dr-guillotin.livejournal.com/58129.html

Later the ratio of LL grows, but it never reaches 75%. For example here is the truck in 4th GTA in Feb-45, by the end of Vistula-Order operation:

Code: Select all

Name       / TOE      / on hand /ready / in repair
 Zis-5      / 288     / 135     / 162  / 30
 Studebaker / 135     / 78     / 74   / 4 
 Ford 6     / -      /  16     / 14  / 2
 Total      / 432    /  286   / 250 / 36

Source ЦАМО РФ, Ф.323, оп.4756, д.180, л.51. taken from http://dr-guillotin.livejournal.com/20346.html

There are more data, but overall the ration is quite similar. For example Katukov's 1GTA in April 1945 (prior the Berlin operation) had 5278 vehicles out of 6686 required (Stud - 1321, Willis - 138, Dodge ~ 300, Ford ~ 300, ie 50% at best)

(ЦАМО РФ, Ф.299, оп.3105, д.48, л.145 — 146) http://dr-guillotin.livejournal.com/21674.html

Of cause quantity is not the only characteristics, in many cases LL vehicles were more reliable, had better characteristics. Some types were not even produced in USSR. But during the most critical period (prior 1944) the amount of LL vehicles was very minor and even at that time the average ~75% of TOE (of cause TOE was lower than German). And biggest amount of those vehicles were built prior the war.

It would be unfair to deny the factor of LL vehicles. For examples, first bridgeheads on the Order in 1945 were taken by motorized rile formations which bypassed the Tanks/Mech Corps, which would be impossible without LL trucks.

[Zebedee]

ORIGINAL: ComradeP

A single army group and all the Axis mobile units should be able to take offensive action in 1942, but if you're going for, say, Fall Blau, you'll probably burn through a large part of your motorpool before you get close to Baku if the Soviets resist fiercely.

Thanks ComradeP. Very much reassured by that answer

----

Helpless - Harrison (Accounting for War, Soviet production, employment , and the defence burden, 1940 - 1945, Cambridge University Press, 2002) makes very much the same points with reference to LL and the SU. The May 1943 figures shouldn't be surprising given that the bulk of LL didn't arrive until after July 1943. LL at its peak (1944) was accounted as 10% of the Red Army's expenditure on munitions/equipment in that year.

LL in $ value for Motor Vehicles and parts:

1941: 0
1942: 149.1m
1943: 406m
1944: 503.3m
Jan-Jun 1945: 265.7m
Jul-Dec 1945: 87m

(Source: Table 6.2, p.133, Op.Cit.)