West European Studies

According to I.K. Malanin, there are six factors which determine a nations ability to win or lose a war economic base, technological advantage, military techniques and tactics utilized, geography, manpower experience, and comparative power of the enemy.

Compared to the German economy, the Soviet Union had built up a more effective and reliable economic infrastructure after the First World War. The Soviet economy was geared for mass production of simple and reliable goods. During the Second World War, Soviet armies never suffered from supply problems since Soviet production centers continued to supply what was needed on the frontlines. The Soviet Union also obtained significant quantities of US and British aid.

There are several factors which explain Russias huge production capabilities large industrial manpower, mass production techniques, streamlining of ineffective products, and production expertise acquired from abroad. In the 5-year economic plan, Joseph Stalin outlined his major goals for the Soviet economy. One of his major goals was collectivization of industrial power. Collectivization allowed Soviet manpower to be shifted from one industry to another. In 1939, Stalin directed his economic directors to shift production from domestic goods to military hardware. The shift was relatively easy since industrial manpower was collectivized. By the eve of the German invasion, the country had more than 10 000 tanks, 6 000 planes, 1 million artillery, and millions of other military hardware.

The Soviet Union also copied American production techniques. On May 31 1929, the Ford Corporation signed a contract allowing the Soviet Union to construct military trucks at the Nizhni-Novgorod plant. US engineers directed the construction of the factory and the Ford Corporation provided most of the tools.

Soviet engineers were sent to one of Fords plant in Detroit to study US automotive mass production techniques. The Austin Company provided the Soviet Union with assistance for the construction of a special two and a half ton trucks. By 1940, the Soviet Union mass produced tanks, rifles, planes, and other military hardware. Germany, on the other hand, did not copy American mass-production methodologies.

After the German invasion of 1941, Soviet military hardware proved ineffective against German military hardware. Soviet mainline tanks were easily destroyed by Panzer IV model tanks. However, the Soviet did possess some effective military hardware such as KV-41 (heavy tank) and the IL -40 (aircraft). Stalin directed his economic directors to increase the production of effective military hardware. In less than a year, the Soviet Union had streamlined its production of military goods.

The Soviet government also acquired production expertise abroad. American engineers provided assistance to Soviet engineers working in plants beyond the Urals. Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, the British also sent British experts to study Soviet production techniques and provide technical assistance in military research development. By 1941, the Soviet Union had advanced 50 years in technology over a span of 10 years. In 1943, the Soviet Union was mass producing effective military hardware, second to that of the United States in both quantity and quality. This feat would help the Soviet Union compete against the United States in the Cold War.