By the way, to put that American material aid in context:
It’s true Russia only received 7,000 tanks which was only about 15% of their tank strength.....as they’ll be quick to tell you.
What they won’t be so quick to tell you about is that at a time of critical food shortage due to the loss of their breadbasket, Ukraine, America sent them enough food to feed a 10 million man army for the duration of the war.
Remember those brutal winters that killed lots of Germans due to exposure? America sent Russia 15 million pairs of warm felt lined boots.
America supplied 1/3 of Russia’s explosives.
America provided 2,000 locomotives at a time when Russia produced 200.
America provided 100% of aviation fuel early on when Russia refining capacity for high octane aviation fuel was knocked out.
America provided 450,000 trucks - which is THE thing that enabled the Red Army to supply its forces more than just very short distances from their supply bases. This was Germany’s single biggest weakness. They had to rely on horses which are slower, can’t carry as much and require far more manpower. The heavy American Studebaker trucks were what the Russians mounted their iconic Katyusha rockets on.
The list goes on and on. Everything you can imagine - especially industrial equipment. The Russians supplied the Manpower and paid a high price in blood - but there’s no way they survive without America’s vast supplies feeding and equipping them.
Yes Russians lost millions, but it was millions more than necessary because of Stalin’s ineptitude.
Thanks for the reality shot.
Roy Acuff, from Advice to Joe