Ghastly Victories: The United States in the World Wars

[boredviewer1234]

I admit I think the Belgian king rather than be a traitor, is trying to be ''rational'' Belgium would be crushed if they tried to fight off Germany but preserving the army and being neutral could allow them to negotiate with some force.

That and as has been described in the past some people at least in the beginning saw Hitler's as a dictator in the mould of Italy, maybe he thinks he can work some agreement out.

Though we all know Hitler will do once he get's the chance to Belgium.

 

[Steelers94]

I admit I think the Belgian king rather than be a traitor, is trying to be ''rational'' Belgium would be crushed if they tried to fight off Germany but preserving the army and being neutral could allow them to negotiate with some force.

That and as has been described in the past some people at least in the beginning saw Hitler's as a dictator in the mould of Italy, maybe he thinks he can work some agreement out.

Though we all know Hitler will do once he get's the chance to Belgium.

Hell as I pointed out it does make some strategic sense as well. If France stops Germany he's got his entire undamaged army ready to come down on the German flanks and potentially cut off all German forces in France.

 

[Prince Charon]

And they are going to have to redefine the definition of 'winning'.

Didn't the Germans sometimes do that later in our WWII?

Hell as I pointed out it does make some strategic sense as well. If France stops Germany he's got his entire undamaged army ready to come down on the German flanks and potentially cut off all German forces in France.

If things go badly for Belgium after this, he may well be seen as the Only Sane Man.

 

[RedSword12]

Though we all know Hitler will do once he get's the chance to Belgium.

Hitler was willing to tolerate minor states existing. If Belgium can cuddle itself up with Germany like Romania, Hungary, etc., then it might escape a full-blown occupation for a time.

 

[Steelers94]

Didn't the Germans sometimes do that later in our WWII?

If by sometimes you mean continually announcing major victories on during the last year/saying this battle will turn the tide then yes they did sometimes. It still wasn't near as bad as Japan was, IIRC for example the most info the public got of Midway till the war ended was the carriers were being repaired due to battle damage from their glorious victory over America.

 

[Prince Charon]

If by sometimes you mean continually announcing major victories on during the last year/saying this battle will turn the tide then yes they did sometimes.

Thought so, but yeah, I'd forgotten the extent of it beyond 'they were too scared of Hitler to report everything accurately, and he was too delusional to accept it if they had.'

If by sometimes you mean continually announcing major victories on during the last year/saying this battle will turn the tide then yes they did sometimes. It still wasn't near as bad as Japan was, IIRC for example the most info the public got of Midway till the war ended was the carriers were being repaired due to battle damage from their glorious victory over America.

Even the Jewel Voice Speech was carefully vague on what happened, if the translations I've seen are correct: "The war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage."

 

[Steelers94]

Thought so, but yeah, I'd forgotten the extent of it beyond 'they were too scared of Hitler to report everything accurately, and he was too delusional to accept it if they had.'


Even the Jewel Voice Speech was carefully vague on what happened, if the translations I've seen are correct: "The war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage."

Oh yeah, the word surrender is not said once during the speech. It honestly makes me think of someone playing a game and the only reason they're loosing is they got bored and so wanted some kind of out. Not the leader of a country that's lost so badly it's facing the largest naval invasion in history. With among the defense plans for the nation being the plan of having school children run up to tanks with mines strapped to them and blow themselves and the tanks up.

 

[Prince Charon]

Oh yeah, the word surrender is not said once during the speech. It honestly makes me think of someone playing a game and the only reason they're loosing is they got bored and so wanted some kind of out. Not the leader of a country that's lost so badly it's facing the largest naval invasion in history. With among the defense plans for the nation being the plan of having school children run up to tanks with mines strapped to them and blow themselves and the tanks up.

The amount of propaganda the Japanese were getting before that probably meant that if he'd given an accurate statement about the situation, it might have been mistaken for a deception by the Allies. Also, not sure how true this is, but I've read that historical Japanese communication, especially at the higher levels of society, was rather circuitous from a Western perspective, and some of it still is.

 

[Steelers94]

The amount of propaganda the Japanese were getting before that probably meant that if he'd given an accurate statement about the situation, it might have been mistaken for a deception by the Allies. Also, not sure how true this is, but I've read that historical Japanese communication, especially at the higher levels of society, was rather circuitous from a Western perspective, and some of it still is.

See it's less that it was circuitous and more they refused to believe anything other then their own reality until they were smacked in the head with a brick. Even then they still refused to believe it most of the time until the Emperor finally saw some reason after they got the damn sun dropped on them, twice.

 

[Admiral Matt]

Didn't the Germans sometimes do that later in our WWII?

From a certain Nazi perspective, that's actually what the Holocaust was.

We're losing and every Power is cooperating against us, even the ones that have opposite ideologies, so clearly The Leader was right about the World Jewish Conspiracy, so hurry and destroy "the real enemy" while we can.

 

[Pax_Nihil]

From a certain Nazi perspective, that's actually what the Holocaust was.

We're losing and every Power is cooperating against us, even the ones that have opposite ideologies, so clearly The Leader was right about the World Jewish Conspiracy, so hurry and destroy "the real enemy" while we can.

Boo Nazi logic, booooo

 

[hopper2cool]

A normal country getting bombed to shit by the US and UK and far worse getting the Soviet Army approaching their borders might decide to slow down the "Final Solution" but not NAZI Germany. They were certainly invested in their racist stupidity if nothing else.

 

[basileus]

A normal country getting bombed to shit by the US and UK and far worse getting the Soviet Army approaching their borders might decide to slow down the "Final Solution" but not NAZI Germany. They were certainly invested in their racist stupidity if nothing else.

Once you've taken such a road to Hell, you don't turn your back on it

 

[hopper2cool]

Once you've taken such a road to Hell, you don't turn your back on it

I more mean the logistical aspects. "We are fighting a war on 2.5 fronts and losing our industrial capabilities. Maybe we should slow down our side project."
"Nein."

 

[RamscoopRaider]

…German forces continued to pursue the retreating Dutch on the 14th, securing Rotterdam and reaching the outpost line in front of the Waterline by midmorning. At roughly this point General Winkelman confirmed that the Germans were in the process of deploying for a formal assault in midafternoon. At 11:00 he communicated with his opposite, General Von Bock, about a 1:00 ceasefire in preparation for surrender negotiations. Von Bock accepted, wanting to be able to close the Dutch front and to transfer the forces fighting there to Belgium where he was facing more difficulty.

That afternoon however von Bock almost changed his mind about the ceasefire upon learning Winkelman’s intention to only surrender the Dutch Armed forces, and then not include the troops in Zeeland or in Britain. He threatened that any Dutch forces still fighting after the surrender would be treated as Francs-Tireurs and thus be subject to execution is captured. Winkleman however held firm and declared that only those forces under his command would capitulate, and that the forces outside the country and in Zeeland were under Anglo-French command and not his, and that the government’s decision was their own.

Under considerable pressure to end the fighting in the Netherlands Von Bock agreed and effective at 12:00 Noon the next day the Netherlands had effectively surrendered…

…Before the Dutch surrender could take effect the surviving Dutch Aircraft flew to Britian. This was followed by the departure of every Dutch warship in the homeland that could travel under its own power, and the incomplete hulls of two destroyers and two gunboats. The Dutch gold reserves were loaded on several fishing vessels, along with the government and royal family, and what vessels could not make the journey were scuttled.

The Germans attempted to interdict this and sank a torpedo boat and a gunboat with air attacks as they attempted to reach Britian…

…On the 14th the Germans attempted probing attacks against the Dyle line, while screening Belgian forces in Antwerp. These attacks were easily beaten off as German airpower was insufficient to suppress heavily dug in first rate Anglo-French troops with heavy artillery support. The Germans thus were forced into making a more deliberate assault against the position when their artillery and foot infantry caught up…

…Jaspar and Vleeschauwer made significant inroads among the Belgian high command on the first half of the 14th, finding plenty of dissatisfaction among the Army at the King’s decision to abandon most of the country to the not so tender mercies of the Germans. After noon however they found that the situation had changed.

The Dutch ceasefire in preparation for a surrender agreement had completely changed the strategic picture. The Belgians could now expect a direct threat to Antwerp from the north by the now freed up German Army in the Netherlands, in addition to the existing threat from the east. The strategic uncertainty this represented convinced most officers to adopt a wait and see approach, regardless of their personal feelings. Certainly deposing the King was not something to be contemplated when there was so much strategic uncertainty. Any changes to the deployment of the Belgian Army and its command structure would have to wait until the situation stabilized…

…Over the night of the 13th into the 14th German forces began infiltrating across the Meuse in small boats, and in one case across a weir and lock gate that had avoided demolition near Dinant, establishing positions for the morning while heavy AA guns were brought forward to provide direct fire support the Germans lacked the artillery for. At 8:00 the Luftwaffe launched the largest air attack in history to that point with 4,000 bomber sorties conducted over an 8 hour period. Fighters strafed ground targets to cut communications and interdict movement, while medium bombers suppressed French artillery and dive bombers attacked the main French defensive lines.

The attacks did not kill all that many troops outside the artillery, and failed at destroying even a single one of the incomplete bunkers and pillboxes, but they did not only cut off communication by destroying landlines but inflicted vast psychological damage as well. At Sedan this was more than sufficient against the reservists there, by the time the Germans crossed the river en masse the French defenders were already abandoning their positions in large numbers despite a 3:1 manpower advantage and an even greater one in artillery. A few defenders remained, enough to inflict modest losses on the Germans and to delay them from fully clearing the banks of the Meuse until nightfall, but not nearly enough to stop them. At Dinant the regulars were made of sterner stuff but the German capture of the weir and lock gate meant that they were able to establish a beachhead even before the dawn had come and merely had to expand it, similarly clearing the banks around nightfall.

At Montherme the terrain proved difficult. The two panzer divisions assigned to that portion of the front were hours behind the other five given poor roads and had less time for preparations. Montherme was also defended by regulars like Dinant and the terrain made airpower less effective. As such the Germans only achieved a tiny beachhead across the river there, one insufficient to establish a bridgehead.

At Dinant, with significant beachheads established before 10:00, the French launched two counterattacks. The first conducted with several companies motorized infantry occurred at 11:00, it lacked armor or artillery support but nonetheless managed to push the Germans almost back to river before it withdrew, having suffered a moderate amount of casualties. Had it been pressed the German bridgehead might have been contained and the crossing derailed then and there. A coordinated attack by a full infantry regiment supported by tanks was to occur in late afternoon, but the infantry did not move and after defeating a German patrol the French tanks returned rather than engage without an infantry screen. A third counterattack by a motorized regiment was to have occurred in midafternoon, but it was cancelled after an attack by German dive bombers disrupted the preparations. At Sedan the French were slow to react and at Montherme they merely had to hold on.

By nightfall at Sedan and Dinant German engineers began constructing pontoon bridges. Once completed they would be able to bring over armor, their tenuous footholds would be secured and they would be ready for the next phase of the attack. At Montherme the Germans took advantage of the darkness to ferry more troops across to try again the next day.

As they waited for that to happen the follow on elements of the German forces backed up into the world’s biggest traffic jam, stretching back over 150 miles into Germany. It was a perfect target for Anglo-French bombers, yet none managed to breach the Luftwaffe fighter screen to attack it.

Meanwhile the French forces at Dinant and Sedan fell back from the Meuse to positions about 5 miles to the rear during the late afternoon and early evening. There they would attempt to hold back the Germans until further reinforcements could arrive and counterattack…

…Failures in communication meant that Gamelin and the French high command were not fully informed about the severity of the German breakthroughs at Sedan and Dinant. Reports stated that the crossing at Dinant was fully contained with the situation under control, and that they had suffered “a severe pinprick” at Sedan. A German crossing at Sedan had been considered a possibility and while this had occurred much faster than prewar planning had thought possible they still had a corps in position to deal with it.

The French 4th Armored was ordered to contain and counterattack the bridgehead at Sedan as the vanguard of a Corps level counteroffensive. With that out of the way Gamelin and his staff turned to fretting about the Dyle Line in Belgium, the Maginot Line and even the Swiss border, not concerned at all about a series of easily dealt with diversionary attacks…

-Excerpt From The Fall of Europe, Scholastic American Press, Philadelphia, 2005

Spoiler: The Philippines

The Philippine Commonwealth

Basics:

The Philippines are a protectorate of the United States scheduled to receive full independence in 1944. They were conquered by Spain in the 1500’s and captured from Spain by the Untied States in 1898, with the United States crushing a series of revolts in the immediate aftermath of this. The Philippines has full self-government since 1935 with the exception of defense, foreign policy and some currency and immigration matters.

Economy:

The Philippine Economy is an export dominated agricultural economy. Primary goods are coconut, sugar and timber. The Philippines lacks industry save for a minimal amount support the agricultural industry and US military bases.

Land Forces:

The Philippines has a standing army of 50,000, 10,000 professionals and 40,000 one year conscripts, and about 135,000 reservists, with plans to increase the number to 400,000. This is nominally organized into 11 US pattern infantry divisions with attached cavalry, but one is active, expansion plans are for 3 active and 20 reserve divisions by 1944.

The standard Philippine rifle is the M1903 Springfield in .30-06, the Philippines does not use the Pedersen adaptor with it. In reserve are a number Krag rifles in .30-40 and M1895’s in 6mm Lee. The Philippines has no plan to adopt a more advanced rifle.

The standard sidearm is the M1911 in .45ACP. In reserve are .45 M1917 and M1909 Revolvers and M1892 in .38 Long Colt. The Philippines make use of older model Thompson SMGs in .45 ACP for MPs and as an issue weapon for sentries and scouts.

The standard light Machine gun is the BAR, primarily the immediately post WWI M1918A2, but with older models in reserve alongside Lewis guns in .30-06. It is issued in the same proportion as in US units and some units receive the new A6 Jungle Model. Medium machine guns are the M1919 and M1917 in .30-06, the former as a company weapon, and the latter as a battalion, both usually older models. For heavy machine guns the M2 in .50 MBG is issued. Reserve formations generally lack their full complement of machine guns.

For indirect fire the Philippines issues 3 60mm mortars per company and 6 81mm mortars per battalion, though most reserve formations are lacking these.

The Philippines sole anti-armor weapon are .50 BMG bolt action rifles issued 3 per battalion to regular forces. There is consideration to replacing these with a more powerful .60 caliber weapon and supplementing them with 3 .60 caliber AT/AA machine guns per battalion.

Standard Philippine AA is M1917 and M2 machine guns. Heavy AA is in the form of the 3” AA M1918, a WWI piece based on a 55 caliber coast gun. The Philippines will adopt the 25mm Bofors used by the US Army once sufficient pieces are available.

Standard Philippine Artillery is the 75mm howitzers M1, a modern 18 caliber piece. 24 of the Split Trail and 12 of the Box Trail version are to be issued to each division, however only one division worth has arrived. Supporting these will be 12 105mm Howitzer M2, a modern 24 caliber design from the US, however none will be in service in the Philippines until 1941.

The Philippines intends to raise Corps artillery units in 1945 which will have 12 155mm howitzer M1 and 12 120mm Gun M1 from the US.

The Philippines lacks tanks. The Philippines has 30 White armored scout cars of 6 tons and capable of 65mph with a single machine gun. They eventually intend to purchase scout half tracks and light tanks from the US, but no sooner than 1942.

The Philippine Army is lightly motorized but standard on US Army pattern vehicles. They do not expect to fully motorize.

Naval Forces:

The Philippines have a small offshore patrol of 1000 men.

They currently use a variety of patrol boats, some of which are armed with machine guns.

Plans are under way to acquire 36 motor torpedo boats of 20 tons capable of 40 knots with 1 20mm, 2 .50, 2 21” torpedoes and up to 4 depth charges

The Philippines do not plan on establishing a Marine Corps or Naval Aviation Arm

Air Forces:

The Philippines has a small Army Aviation Branch. It presently has 50 aircraft.

The current aircraft are a mixture of trainers, observation and liaison aircraft and a few transports.

Plans are underway to establish 5 bomber and 5 fighter squadrons with American Aircraft, with the first of each fully stood up by the end of 1941

The Philippines lacks plans for Paratroopers or advanced aeronautical projects

Weapons of Mass Destruction:

The United States has an agreement to share stocks of Lewisite, Mustard Gas and other chemical agents with the Philippine government upon request until 1944.

The Philippines lacks nuclear or biological weapons programs

Problems:

The Philippines lack Industry

The Philippines are not fully independent

The Philippines have a problem with minorities in the south

The Philippines have an active communist guerilla movement on Luzon

-The Eve of War, the World on October 1st 1940, Eagle Press, Philadelphia, 2001

A/N: Yes this was short, be lucky the eve of war happened at all given the season and me having to work today. Should be less than 10 more of those, and the next one will be a large one

 

[generalurist]

French coordination and morale sure is bad from the book's view here. How much if it is real, and how much is caused by in-universe lack of records, I don't know. Any case, the Luftwaffe sure is pulling its weight, is it more successful than OTL?

 

[Pax_Nihil]

French coordination and morale sure is bad from the book's view here. How much if it is real, and how much is caused by in-universe lack of records, I don't know. Any case, the Luftwaffe sure is pulling its weight, is it more successful than OTL?

Its led by the Red Baron ITTL, not Herman Goering.

 

[Vabasion]

I wonder if locals in Syria, Iraq, Palestine and Egypt would welcome the Ottomans back and view their revolt and occupation as a mistake and with regret allowing for a somewhat more easier advance?

 

[RamscoopRaider]

…The surrender of most Dutch forces proved both demoralizing and confusing to those in Zeeland which were excluded from the surrender. Concentrated on the island of Zuid-Beveland the Dutch were attacked by the Germans at midday on the 14th. The defenders at both the east and west of the island panicked and fled in a route to the center where a French regiment was defending the canal at the center of the island.

The French fought off the lead German elements with the aid of naval artillery from torpedo boats but realized that the island was now indefensible. Over the night they retreated to the peninsula of Zealand, leaving that the only part of the Netherlands unoccupied. The French would use this as a flank guard position for their troops in Belgium…

…The Germans launched another set of probing attacks against the Dyle Line on the 15th now that more of their artillery had caught up. These were still tentative as the infantry had not arrived and were focused more on the southern parts of the position than the previous attacks. While still unsuccessful the greater weight of bombardment from the additional artillery and aircraft freed up from the Netherlands reduced German casualties and increased Anglo-French.

The 15th also saw the first German use of rocket artillery, relatively short ranged 320mm demolition rockets that replaced the heavy mortars used by German engineers in WWI. The use of a new weapon and the presence of the assault engineers that used it served to convince the Anglo-French that the Germans were planning a major assault on the Dyle line…

…The French opened the 15th with a counter attack at Dinant, delayed from the 14th, by a regiment of motorized infantry. This captured a few outlying German positions, however it did not advance on the German bridgehead, having orders to contain the bridgehead rather than reduce it. This left the Germans free to expand their bridgehead with the tanks that had just started crossing the pontoon bridges.

The Germans attacked south and west, in the former opening up a new crossing point at Ohaye and forcing a French colonial division to retreat in order to avoid being outflanked. In the latter case the German panzers came across the division that had attempted to hold Dinant on the 14th and in concert with infantry launched a series of probing attacks. Already shaken and under renewed air attack the French division panicked and disintegrated, effectively ceasing to exist by nightfall. The German position at Dinant was further expanded by infantry divisions securing additional bridgeheads north and south of the town by nightfall

The French were aware of the threat that Dinant posed and one of their armored divisions was dispatched to deal with it. Despite being ordered to move on the 14th it was completely unable to attack on the 15th due to sluggardliness, refugees clogging the road and German air attack, with there being significant doubts about a counterattack occurring before noon on the 16th…

…At Montherme the French continued to hold off the Germans, successfully keeping the German beachhead to a small section of the peninsula. Air attacks providing cover for engineers with flamethrowers allowed the widening of the bridgehead, but the German center remained contained. French artillery attempted to remove the Germans, but the terrain protected the Germans from the low trajectory guns the French had in the area. French 220mm howitzers were dispatched to reduce the German beachhead, but the Luftwaffe prevented their arrival…

…At Sedan the infantry division that had held the Meuse withdrew to the Bulson ridge in the afternoon of the 14th. There they were to dig in before the corps headquarters and stop the Germans with the aid of Corps artillery. They had a strong position that should have been able to stop all but a determined German attack, if they would simply stand and hold it. That proved too great of an ask for during the night, as a tank battalion attached to Second Army headquarters moved forward to nearby Omicourt to meet up with infantry in preparation for a counterattack they were heard by the Corps artillery.

Combined with the noise from aggressive night actions by German scouts to their front and the soldiers of the Corps artillery worried that they were surrounded. Already shaken by air attacks the day before and not having very high morale to begin with they decided flight was the best course of action. This spread to other elements of the Corps headquarters, followed by rear areas of the division headquarters and then the infantry themselves. By morning all that was protecting the Bulson ridge was a few stubborn pockets of infantry.

This infantry received a temporary reprieve as the French launched a counterattack from Raucourt with an infantry regiment and a tank battalion from Second Army reserve at 4:00 in the morning. They ran into the Germans at the village of Thelonne and proved a tough foe. Had they pressed on aggressively they may have overrun the Germans and forced them back into Sedan, as it was the few German anti-tank and heavy AA guns present stopped them and led them to deploy for a formal assault. This gave the German Panzers, already having begun to cross the Meuse, an opportunity to counterattack. At 9:00 in the morning the French were hit in the flank and forced to withdraw with heavy losses. A second counterattack from Omicourt was cancelled after the failure of the first.

Following this the Panzers continued to advance and drove a second infantry division at Haracourt into full route. The force at Omicourt, aware that its flanks were naked soon withdrew leaving an enormous gap. The Germans immediately took advantage and two Panzer divisions raced west across the Bar river to the juncture between the Second and Ninth French Armies. The French reinforcements that were supposed to hold the Bar were limited to a small amount of cavalry that were overwhelmed long before nightfall, with the bridges over the small river captured intact.

The Third Panzer division at Sedan, in company with a regiment of motorized infantry moved south to occupy the town of Stonne and its commanding heights. Just south of Stonne was the French 4th Armored, which was well positioned to occupy the key high ground first. The 4th however was waiting for its motorized infantry counterpart before advancing to attack and when they proved unable to meet the 11am deadline, it simply stayed put.

The 4th Motorized, delayed by refugees, air attack and bad orders, would not arrive on the 15th and the 4th Armored thus at 4:00 in the afternoon decided to execute the contain part of its orders to the exclusion of the counterattack. The 4th rapidly dispersed into isolated platoons guarding every possible road the Germans could advance on for a 12 mile front to the German south and east, eliminating it as a threat to the German bridgehead…

…The British and French had by the 15th determined that the pontoon bridges at Sedan were a major potential threat and began launching repeated air attacks against them. Between strong German AA and the fighters of the Luftwaffe they took heavy losses for no success…

…Worried about the threat to the Maginot Line the French 9th Army began to pivot on the evening of the 15th, abandoning a 10 mile section of the Meuse to better fortify against an attack heading east from Sedan to outflank the Maginot line. This expanded and secured the German bridgehead while completely misinterpreting the direction of the German assault…

…On the night of the 15th the French high command was little worried about Sedan or Dinant. The reports they received, filtered through multiple layers of optimistic misinformation, seemed to indicate that while the counterattacks had failed, that the situation was contained, rather than partially contained with the Panzers having their primary axis of advance effectively clear.

Instead Gamelin and his generals worried more about the Dutch surrender and the possibility of an attack through Zealand, German paratroopers and the massive fifth column they were sure existed and whether or not Goebbels most recent propaganda broadcast presaged an offensive through Switzerland or was simply tough talk…

-Excerpt From The Fall of Europe, Scholastic American Press, Philadelphia, 2005

Spoiler: The USA

The United States of America
Basics:

The United States is a Presidential Federal Democratic Republic consisting of 48 states and numerous territories currently under the control of the Democratic Party. The United States entered the Great War approximately halfway through as a cobelligerent to the Entente and was the key factor in the eventual Entente victory.

Economy:

The United States is the largest economy in the world, with the largest industrial production and the center of worldwide finance. The United States is a major exporter of food, most raw materials and oil, importing only rubber and a fuel minerals as necessities.

Land Forces:

The United States has a moderately sized army of 200,000 active and 550,000 National Guardsmen and Reservists. This is organized into 13 infantry and three cavalry divisions in the Regular Army and 20 Infantry Divisions in the National Guard. Regular Army divisions are triangular while the National Guard retains a square organization. The US Army also controls the Philippine Scout division, organized on US infantry pattern with older gear and a lighter artillery TOE.

The Standard American longarm is the M1 semiautomatic rifle, in .30-06 with an 8 or 20 round magazine for the regulars and in .276 with a 10 or 24 round for the National Guard. It is planned to convert the National Guard to the use of .30-06 and to relegate the .276 rifles to training use following the failure of the A7 BAR. In reserve are M1903 Springfield and M1917 Enfield rifles in .30-06. A stockpile of Pedersen Devices allowing the rapid conversion of the M1903 to a .30 Longue semi-automatic are in storage. A contest is being held for a light semi-automatic rifle for service troops.

The standard US sidearm is the M1911 semi-automatic pistol in .45 ACP. General officers are issued the Colt Pocket Hammerless M1908 in .380 ACP. The US has a stockpile of M1917 revolvers in .45 ACP for emergencies, using half-moon clips to hold the cartridges. The US uses the Thompson as the standard Submachine gun in .45 ACP, it is being replaced by the all metal M2 Submachine gun, also in .45 ACP, which is much lighter and cheaper. The US typically issues submachine guns to NCOs instead of rifles.

The standard light machine gun is the M1918A7 BAR, a belt fed version of the venerable WWI weapon in .30-06. It is issued one per squad by the Army and two by the USMC, with some units equipped with the short magazine fed A6 “Jungle Model”. The A7 is after troop trials in summer of 1940 considered too heavy and cumbersome and to be replaced by an A8 model that is basically a full length A6. The standard Medium Machine gun is the Browning M1919A5 in .30-06, an air cooled medium machine gun featuring a quick change barrel, issued 4 per company. This is supplemented by the older M1917A2, a watercooled machine gun issued 8 per battalion units and by the M2 Browning in .50 BMG issued 2 per battalion and as a vehicle and air defense weapon. In reserve are Lewis guns in .30-06 and older models of Browning.

For infantry support the United States is unique in issuing a pair of 3” shoulder fired tube launched rockets per company, firing HE and incendiary ammunition. For indirect fire the US issues 3 60mm mortars per company and 6 81mm mortars per battalion.

Standard AA for the US at the regiment level is quad mount M2 .50 heavy machine guns, of which 16 are allocated per regiment. Some single and twin .60 Heavy Machine guns are issued to mountain/jungle units. These are as substitute to 25mm Bofors, which is issued in single mounts 32 per division for mid-level air defense with a twin mount under development. For Heavy AA the US uses the 3”/50 M3, a 50 caliber piece designed in the late 20’s with a modern single purpose carriage, it is deployed in independent battalions of 16. Older Heavy AA includes the 55 Caliber 3” M1917 and 40 caliber 3” M1918 which is in use by the National Guard. These pieces are being replaced by the 90mm M1, a modern 55 caliber piece but retaining the single purpose carriage. Development is underway on a 120mm super heavy AA gun.

The standard US AT gun is a 25mm 72 caliber model based on a French design but modified to use 25x205mm Bofors instead of the shorter French cartridge, 3 are issued per Army battalion. The Marines do not use towed AT guns and instead issue 6 AT rifles per battalion, bolt action .50 or .60 caliber or 20mm Swiss Solothurn S-100 semi-automatics depending on the unit.

The standard divisional artillery piece is the 105mm Howitzer M2 a modern 24 caliber piece. It has about average performance, is heavy for its caliber and only has provision for motor transport, but it is extremely durable. 36 are typically issued per division. These are supplemented by 155mm Howitzer M1, a 25 caliber Howitzer of similarly modern design and average performance, of which 12 are issued to every divisional artillery regiment. Some units have 75mm howitzers M1, an 18 caliber weapon, box trail for mountain artillery and split trail for cavalry, a typical piece. In storage are Canon de 75 M1897, M1916 and M1917 75mm field guns, 3” M1904, 3” M1905 and 3.8” M1907, as well as Canon de 155mmC Schneider M1917 and 155mm Howitzer M1918. The Chemical Corps generally attaches 1 or 2 companies of 12 4.7” mortars per division, heavier than most but rifled for extended range.

Corps artillery regiments consist of 24 155mm Howitzer M1 and 24 120mm Gun M1, a 42 caliber piece mounted on the same carriage as the 155mm Howitzer. In storage are in addition to WWI era 155mm howitzers, 4.7” Guns M1906, rebored to use 120mm ammunition. Corps are also supported by battalions of 36 24 barrel 5” Chemical Rocket launchers as needed, which can also fire smoke, HE or incendiary projectiles.

Army Artillery Regiments consist of two battalions of 12 guns, either M1 155mm/45 guns or M1 8”/25 howitzers, both sharing a carriage. These are modern split tail pieces and equip all of the active Heavy Artillery regiments. In storage are British 6” Mark XIX, French 155mm GPF M1917 and British 8” Howitzer Mark VI, VII and VIII, only the 155mm has had any serious modernization. For Army level support the Chemical Corps is in the process of standing up Battalions of 16 12 Barrel 8” Chemical rocket launchers, which can also fire smoke, HE or incendiary rounds.

Army Group Artillery is to be organized in independent 8 gun battalions and consist of either M1 8”/50 guns or M1 240mm/35 howitzers. These are modern very heavy road mobile guns, requiring transport in two different 6 wheeled wagons and assembly with a 20 ton crane, but comparable to other countries pieces. The first battalions will be stood up in Fall 1941. In storage are M1918 240mm howitzers, a derivative of the French 280mm Schneider M1914, a fairly clumsy siege gun.

The United States operates a variety of railway artillery from 7” up to 16” guns and 16.5” howitzers, all in reserve. The Army is also experimenting with very large rockets to supplement and replace the siege artillery.

The US has a large Tank Force if one includes obsolete WWI designs, otherwise a moderately sized one. The US does issue radios to every modern tank.

The most numerous tank is the M1917, a copy of the FT, of which the US retains 400 cannon armed and 400 machine gun armed units. 100 each 3 Ton M1918, slow machine gun armed units and 38 ton M1919 Liberty Rhomboids are also in storage, neither is considered to have value even as training machines.

The oldest modern tanks, apart from individual prototypes, are the 20 M1 Medium Tanks. Originally designated colonial tanks they were armed with 5 .30 MG as built, but have been rearmed multiple times and currently carry a .60 HMG and a .30 MG. They are 12 tons, protected from machine gun fire and make 15 mph.

The 15 Medium M2 are slightly newer, based on the European Tank design. They have a 75mm/18 as their main gun, a coaxial 25mm/72 and two .30 MG, one coaxial and one in the glacis. It is 30 tons and capable of 12 mph, with limited protection against 37mm cannon fire in the front, and AT rifles all around. The 15 Medium M3 are derivatives, with a better engine and suspension, they make 16 miles per hour.

The 50 Medium M4 are slightly smaller at 26 tons and have slightly improved armor. Their main difference is the adoption of a 27 caliber 75mm gun, provision for a third man in the turret and elimination of the 25mm, and a new engine that propels them to 20 mph.

The 70 Medium M5 are a universal tank design. Slightly smaller at 24 tons they have a much more modern engine that allows them to make 25 mph, further improved armor with limited resistance to 47mm guns in the frontal arc thanks to sloping, alongside a 36 caliber 75mm gun. It is currently in production.

A 30 ton design with a more powerful gun and resistance to 75mm guns is in development.

The oldest light tank is the M1, a 5 ton light tank with a pair of .30 MGs or a .30 MG and .50 AT rifle. It has protection against machine guns and make 30 mph. 80 are in use with the USMC.

The M2 is a 6 ton light tank based on the M1. It mounts a .50 HMG and a .30 MG. The Army operates 150. The Marines operate 30 M2B with a .60 AT rifle replacing the .50 MG.

The M3 is an 7 ton design, centering around the new .60 HMG with a .30 coax, 200 are in service. The USMC operates 20 M3B with a 20mm Solothurn Cannon instead of the .60 and are procuring more.

The M4 is a 12 ton design with a 25mm/72 main gun, a coaxial .30 MG, a glacis mounted .30 and a hatch mounted .30. It is protected against AT rifles in the front arc, machine guns elsewhere and makes 35mph. 80 are currently in service.

The Army also solely operated halftracks for the cavalry until the development of the M4 light and M5 medium. The Combat Car M1 is an 8 ton vehicle capable of 35mph with limited protection against machine gun fire and a turreted .50 and .30 cal machine guns. The Army operates 180 of them.

The M2 Combat Car is a 15 ton design, with similar armor and speed but 47mm/45 low velocity main gun in a two man turret as well as the coaxial machine gun. 50 are in service.

The US Army also makes use of armored cars. The M1 Scout Car is a 4 ton 4 wheel open topped vehicle with limited protection from machine guns, 50 mph speed and 3 .30 MG. 100 are in service.

The M2 Scout Car is 5 tons, with a speed of 60 mph and greater range and passenger capacity. 70 are in service.

The M3 is 6 tons and carries a .50 HMG and 2 .30 cal, with speed dropping back to 50 mph due to a slight enlargement and minor changes to increase all terrain performance. 120 are in service with procurement ongoing.

The US Army is almost completely motorized with only the cavalry retaining horses and those being only used for individual mobility and not logistics. The US plans to completely motorize in the near future, with half tracks being used for cavalry and armored infantry and other units receiving primarily trucks. The US is very good on standardizing its motor vehicle pool.

Naval Forces:

The United States has the second largest, if not the largest navy in the world depending on the metric used.

The pride of the United States is its battle line arguably the most powerful in the world with 19 battleships in service, 4 more building and 4 more on order.

The Battleship Arkansas is the oldest American battleship still in commission if not in service. 26,000 tons she has had all but her twin A & B 12”/50 turrets and half her boilers removed for conversion to a training ship with an ever varying secondary armament.

The oldest battleship in service is USS New York (BB-34), 27,000 tons and 21 knots. She has 10 14”/45 in an A-B-Q-X-Y layout, 6 casemated 5”/51, 10 3”/50 AA, 6 quad 1.1” autocannon and 24 .50 HMG. She possesses an outdated but adequate for the time protection against 14” fire and is fitted as a flagship. Her sister USS Texas (BB-35) is a reduced armament training vessel with only her A&B turrets remaining and her other guns replaced with varying secondary armament, and reduced to 16 knots with the removal of half of her boilers. New York is in reserve and expected to join her sister as a training vessel shortly.

USS Nevada (BB-36) is the next oldest battleship in service if in reserve, the first of the Standard series, 27,500 tons and 21 knots. She has 10 14”/45, twins superfiring over triples, 12 5”/51 in upper deck casemates, 8 5”/25 AA, 4 quad 1.1” autocannon and 20 .50 HMG. She is adequately protected against 14” shells even to the present thanks to being the first all or nothing capital ship designed and carries 2 float planes. She is expected to join her sister Oklahoma (BB-37) as a training ship with half her boilers and her rear main battery guns removed shortly.

USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) and USS Arizona (BB-39) are 29,500 ton successors to the Nevada class. They replace the upper twins with triples, functionally the same light armament and armor as their predecessors. Both are presently in reserve.

USS New Mexico (BB-40), USS Mississippi (BB-41) and USS Idaho (BB-42) are 32,000 ton improved versions of Pennsylvania). They have 14”/50 caliber main guns with separate recoil slides, and an AA fit of 14 single 5”/25, 4 quad 1.1” autocannon and 32 .50 HMGs, with the casemate gun removed, New Mexico having Turbo-electric propulsion, and they make 22 knots. They are presently in reserve.

USS Tennessee (BB-43) and USS California (BB-44) are 32,500 ton further improved designs. They have improved torpedo defenses compared to the previous designs and an additional pair of twin 1.1” autocannon in addition to the armament of their predecessors, but revert to 21 knots, retaining the Turbo electric drive of New Mexico. Both are in reserve.

USS Colorado (BB-45), USS Maryland (BB-46), USS Washington (BB-47) and USS West Virginia (BB-48) are the last of the standards, 33,000 tons. They have been recently modernized and have 4 twin 16”/45 in a conventional arrangement, 8 twin 5”/38 DP, 6 quad 1.1” autocannon and 24 .50 HMG. They are only moderately protected against 16” shellfire after their last refit, being less protected than average for a 16” armed ship and have a slow speed of 21 knots but a tight tactical diameter. They do have good torpedo defenses, a modern superstructure, turbo electric drive and retain the excellent maneuverability of the standard series.

USS South Dakota (BB-49), USS Indiana (BB-50), USS Montana (BB-51), USS North Carolina (BB-52), USS Iowa (BB-53) and USS Massachusetts (BB-54) are the first post standard battleship design, 44,000 tons and 24 knots as built. They have 12 16”/50 in a conventional 4 triples, 10 6”/53 in casemates, 10 5”/25 AA, 6 quad 1.1” autocannon and 32 .50 HMG. They are much less maneuverable than their predecessors and while better armed are no better protected and carry up to 3 float planes. USS South Dakota and USS Indiana are being rebuilt to have improved armor, torpedo defense and a secondary armament of 20 5”/38 DP in twins, 8 quad 1.1” autocannon and 32 .50 HMG. Their rebuild will finish in late 1941. Afterwards USS Montana and USS North Carolina will go into a similar rebuild, but replacing the 1.1” with 40mm and the .50 with 20mm, and then USS Iowa and USS Massachusetts will get a similar rebuild

USS Alabama (BB-55), USS New Jersey (BB-56), USS Wisconsin (BB-57) and USS Missouri (BB-58) are 45,000 ton 28 knot ships currently under construction. They will have 12 16”/50 of an improved design in the same layout as their predecessors, with 10 twin 5”/38 DP, 8 quad 1.1” autocannon, and 36 .50 HMG. They are decently protected from 16” fire and carry 3 float planes, though they revert to standard steam turbines. USS Alabama will commission in January 1942, USS New Jersey in March 1942, USS Wisconsin in September 1942 and USS Missouri November 1942.

USS Illinois (BB-59) and USS Kentucky (BB-60) are 50,000 ton enlarged Alabamas, having the same speed and main armament but 20mm and 40mm autocannon, improved TDS, stability and armor but no longer being able to pass through the original Panama canal locks. They are on order and will be laid down in 1941 to complete in 1944.

USS Ohio (BB-61) and USS Maine (BB-62) are 60,000 ton ships, retaining the same main battery and speed. They are however very well protected against 16” shellfire, better protected against torpedoes and will carry 24 DP guns, including 2 mounts in super firing positions, with provision for a more powerful 5.4” gun. They are on order to be laid down in 1941 and complete in 1944.

The United States also operates a force of battlecruisers.

USS Lexington (CC-1), USS Constellation (CC-2), USS Saratoga (CC-3) and USS Ranger (CC-4) are 45,000 ton 32 knot ships with turbo-electric drive. They have 8 16”/50 in a conventional layout, 8 6”/53 in casemates, 10 5”/25 AA, 8 quad 1.1” autocannon and 36 .50 HMG. They are however only slightly protected against 16” shellfire and have 4 float planes. USS Lexington and USS Constellation are currently being rebuilt to increase speed to 33 knots, increase armor protection to somewhat adequate against 16”, improve TDS and fit 20 5”/38 DP as well as 8 quad and 6 twin 1.1” autocannon and 40 .50 HMG. They will finish in early summer 1941 at which point Saratoga and Ranger will go in for a refit but with 40mm and 20mm replacing the 1.1” and .50.

USS Ticonderoga (CC-7), USS Crown Point (CC-8), USS Oriskany (CC-9) and USS Bennington (CC-10) are 45,000 ton 33 knot battlecruisers under construction. They have 9 16”/50 of new design in triples in an A-B-Y layout, 20 5”/38DP, 8 quad and 4 twin 1.1” autocannon and 36 .50 HMG. They are adequately protected against 16” shell fire if more narrowly than one would like and carry 4 float planes. They will commission in May 1941, June 1941, October 1941 and December 1941 respectively.

Two improved battlecruisers of 50,000 tons are expected for the 1941 program.

The United States has a large aircraft carrier force.

USS Langley (CV-1, AV-3) and USS Wright (CV-2, AV-4) are 12,700 ton converted Proteus class colliers that make 15.5 knots with turbo electric. They have been converted to seaplane tenders with 4 5”/51, 4 3”/50 AA and 8 .50 HMG. They can service a squadron of large flying boats or carry 32 single engine aircraft as ferries.

USS Ironsides (CV-3) and USS United States (CV-4) are 36,000 ton converted Lexington class battlecruisers, capable of 32 knots. They have 4 twin 8”/55 starboard in a superfiring arrangement, 12 5”/25 AA, 4 quad 1.1” autocannon and 24 .50 HMG. They carry up to 90 aircraft and have some protection against 8” shells as well as good hangar deck armor.

USS Bunker Hill (CVL-5) is a 10,000 ton 27 knot ship. She has 4 5”/25 AA, 3 3”/50 AA and 32 .50 HMG. She carries up to 50 aircraft and is only equipped with splinter armor.

USS Intrepid (CV-6), USS Enterprise (CV-7), USS Alliance (CV-8) and USS Kearsarge (CV-9) are 25,000 ton 33 knot ships. They have 12 5”/38 in 4 twin and 4 single mounts, with the twins starboard superfiring and the singles port, 4 quad and 4 twin 1.1” autocannon and 24 .50 HMG. They have good protection against 5” shells and effective hangar deck armor. They can carry up to 90 aircraft. The first three are in service, Kearsarge is scheduled to enter service in September 1941.

USS Bonhomme Richard (CV-10) and USS Reprisal (CV-11) are 30,000 ton 33 knot ships. They will have 16 5”/38 in 8 twins, 4 starboard in a superfiring arrangement around the island and 4 in sunken mounts port, 8 quad and 4 twin Bofors and 24 20mm autocannon. They will carry up to 100 aircraft and have good protection against 5” shells and effective hangar deck armor. They are to be laid down in March 1941 and June 1941, with two more units expected to be ordered in 1941 and 1942

Supplementing the carriers are seaplane tenders. USS Ely (AV-1) is a 11,500 ton Type B Hog Islander Troopship converted to a seaplane tender, she makes 15 knots. At present she has 2 5”/38, 2 3”/50, 8 .50 HMG and can carry 10 float planes, in addition to supporting a squadron of flying boats and being able to support lighter than air craft.

The 2 Curtis (AV-5) class are the first purpose built vessels, 8800 tons, 20 knots with 4 5”/38 in singles, 4 quad 1.1” and 16 .50 HMG. They are meant to support a squadron of 24 flying boats long term and provide command facilities.

Smaller vessels are 10 former Lapwing class Minesweepers and 8 Clemson class destroyers, with 5 more Clemson class planned. These cannot provide the degree of support as a larger vessel but can suffice for shorter term operations with smaller units.

Under Construction are 6 Makinac class Seaplane Tenders. 2100 tons they make 20 knots, have 2 5”/38 forward, 2 twin 1.1” autocannon, 6 20mm Autocannon and can support a squadron of seaplanes.

The United States has the second largest fleet of heavy cruisers in the world, with 20 in service, four more building and four more on order.

The oldest are the USS Louisville (CA-20), USS Augusta (CA-21), USS Houston (CA-22), USS Portland (CA-23), USS Astoria (CA-24) and USS Indianapolis (CA-25), 12,100 ton 34 knot ships. They have 8 8”/55 in a typical A-B-X-Y arrangement, 4 5”/25 AA, two quad 1.1” autocannon, 12 .50 HMG and two triple 21” torpedo tubes. They have a limited immune zone against 8” fire and two float planes, with somewhat poor seakeeping.

USS New Orleans (CA-26) and USS Quincy (CA-27) are 12,200 ton improved Louisvilles. They have the same basic characteristics, but an AA armament of 6 5”/25, 1 quad 1.1” and 14 .50 HMG, along with slightly worse seakeeping.

USS San Francisco (CA-28) and USS Savannah (CA-29) are 12,300 ton vessels that make 33 knots. They have 12 8”/55 in 4 triples arrayed A-B-X-Y, 4 5”/25, 2 quad 1.1” and 12 .50 HMG. They have two float planes and are drier forward if a bit more top heavy than their predecessors, and have a very narrow immune zone against 8” fire.

USS Tuscaloosa (CA-30) and USS Nashville (CA-31) are 12,400 ton vessels that make 33 knots. They reduce the B and X turrets to twins compared to their predecessors, have an AA armament of 6 5”/25, 2 quad 1.1” and 16 .50 HMG. They revert to the immune zone of the Louisville class and have improved seaworthiness in all respects compared to their predecessors.

USS Brooklyn (CA-32), USS Vincennes (CA-33), USS Wichita (CA-34), USS Phoenix (CA-35), USS Boise (CA-36), USS Honolulu (CA-37), USS Helena (CA-38), and USS Atlanta (CA-39) are 12,500 ton 33 knot ships. They have 9 8”/55 laid out in triples A-B-Y, 6 5”/25, 3 quad 1.1”, and 16 .50 HMG. They carry two float planes, have an improved immune zone against 8” and further improved seaworthiness.

Under construction are USS Columbus (CA-40), USS New Haven (CA-41), USS Huntington (CA-42) and USS Dayton (CA-43), 15,000 ton, 33 knot vessels. They retain the main battery arrangement of their predecessors with an improved 8”/55, have 7 twin 5”/38, laid out C-W-X and 4 wing mounts, 4 quad 1.1” autocannon, and 16 .50 HMG. Their armor is slightly improved over their predecessors and they can carry 2 float planes. 4 currently unnamed units, CA 44-47 are on order to be laid down in December 1940, February 1941, May 1941 and July 1941.

The United States has a large force of light cruisers, 23 in commission with 12 more building.

Oldest are the USS Omaha (CL-4), USS Milwaukee (CL-5), USS Cincinnati (CL-6), USS Raleigh (CL-7), USS Detroit (CL-8), USS Richmond (CL-9), USS Concord (CL-10), USS Trenton (Cl-11), USS Marblehead (CL-12) and USS Memphis (CL-13), 7000 ton 35 knot vessels. They have 10 6”/53, two twin turrets and 6 in corner casemates, the forward double stacked, 3 3”/50 AA, 2 triple 21” torpedo tubes, and 12 .50 HMG. They are not too seaworthy even after the removal of their mine rails, two 6” guns and 4 torpedo tubes, are only lightly protected against 6” shellfire and carry two float planes. Omaha, Milwaukee, Cincinnati and Raleigh are in reserve.

USS Pensacola (CL-14) and USS Salt Lake City (CL-15) are 7500 ton improved Omaha’s. Somewhat more seaworthy, they have only 8 6”/53, but in twin turrets laid out A-B-X-Y and 4 3”/50 AA, and have 4 triple 21” torpedo tubes.

USS Minneapolis (CL-26), USS Juneau (CL-27), USS San Juan (CL-28), USS Chester (CL-29), USS Cleveland (CL-30), USS Columbia (CL-31), USS Montpelier (CL-32) and USS San Diego (CL-33) are 10,000 ton 33 knot vessels. They have 12 6”/47, 8 single 5”/25, 4 quad 1.1” autocannon and 16 .50 HMG. They are very well protected from 6” fire, carry two float planes and are seaworthy vessels.

USS Denver (CL-34), USS Amsterdam (CL-35), and USS Santa Fe (CL-36) are slightly modified Minneapolis class vessels. They replace the 5”/25 with 4 twin 5”/38 and have a modified superstructure but are otherwise the same.

USS Tallahassee (CL-37), USS Birmingham (CL-38), USS Mobile (CL-39), USS Flint (CL-40), USS Pasadena (CL-41), USS Springfield (CL-42), USS Topeka (CL-43) and USS Baltimore (CL-44) are 12,500 ton 33 knot ships. They have the same main battery as the Minneapolis class, but 12 5”/38 DP in 6 twins, two superfiring, 4 quad 1.1” and 4 twin, as well as 16 .50 HMG. They are otherwise similar with the same armor and only a modest increase in torpedo defense and seaworthiness. They are currently under construction to be finished in January 1941, March 1941, June 1941, August 1941, December 1941, February 1942, May 1942 and July 1942 respectively.

Also under construction are USS Boston (CL-45), USS Pittsburgh (CL-46), USS St. Paul (CL-47) and USS Albany (CL-48), 7,600 ton 33 knot ships. They have 8 twin 5”/38 DP guns, 4 centerline turrets A-B-X-Y and 4 wing, 4 quad and 2 twin 1.1” autocannon, 12 .50 HMG, 2 quad 21” torpedo tubes, 2 depth charge racks and 6 projectors. They have only light armor against destroyer caliber guns and smaller, and lack floatplanes. They will commission in March 1942, June 1942, August 1942 and December 1942 respectively.

It is currently expected that two Columbus class and two Tallahassee class will be ordered each in FY 1941 and 1942, with potentially more Boston class vessels.

The United States has a very large destroyer fleet, second only to the British if excluding leaders. Leading this are 44 destroyer leaders.

The oldest are the 2 Drayton (DL-1) class, functionally copies of the British Admiralty type leader they are 1650 ton, 36 knot ships. They have 5 5”/51, 3 singles and a twin mount fore, all centerline, 2 3”/50 AA, 8 .50 HMG, 2 triple 21” torpedo tubes, 2 depth charge rails and 6 projectors.

The two Roe class (DL-3) are 1950 ton ships attempting to fit twice the firepower of a refit Clemson on a destroyer. They make 35 knots and have 4 twin 5”/51 on the centerline, 2 3”/AA and no less than 18 21” torpedo tubes as built. Presently they have lost 6 torpedo tubes for 2 quad 1.1” autocannon, 2 depth charge rails, 6 projectors and 6 .50 HMG. They are unseaworthy and have shorter range than their predecessors.

The four 1900 ton Terry (DL-5) class are improved designs, faster at 36 knots and longer ranged. They revert to the gun armament of the Drayton class, but carry 3 quad 21” tubes, with one on the centerline.

The two 1700 ton Perkins (DL-9) class are attempts to economize, being 35 knot ships. They have 2 twin 5”/51, 1 fore and aft, and 1 single fore, and two quad torpedo tubes with both centerline, with other characteristics being the same. They are less seaworthy and more cramped than their predecessors.

The six Sterret (DL-11) class are slightly enlarged Terry type at 1950 tons but otherwise the same.

The four McCall (DL-17) class are 2000 ton further enlarged designs, capable of 37.5 knots. They carry 6 5”/51 in centerline twins and a single 3”/50 AA gun, with two centerline quad and two twin wing 21” tubes, 6 .50 HMG, 2 depth charge rails and 6 projectors.

The 4 3200 ton (DL-21) Burrows class were ordered as Scout cruisers and reclassified as destroyer leaders in January 1940. They make 37 knots and have 4 twin 5”/38, centerline superfiring, 2 quad 1.1” autocannon, 10 .50 HMG, 2 quad 21” torpedo tubes centerline and two wing twins, 2 depth charge racks and six projectors. They are very seaworthy and long ranged for destroyers.

The 12 3500 ton Warrington (DL-25) class were also ordered as scout cruisers. They are 36.5 knot ships with the same main gun armament, but 2 quintuple torpedo tubes on the centerline and 4 1.1” autocannon. They are more seaworthy and longer ranged than the Burrows.

The 8 Mayrant (DL-37) class are 3600 ton 37 knot ships, still rerated cruisers. They have better boilers for greater range and speed, four quad torpedo tubes and only 2 1.1” autocannon.

The majority of the US destroyer force remains smaller vessels.

35 of these are Wickes (DD-25) class, 1150 ton 35 knot vessels. They have 4 4”/50, 1 3”/23 AA, 2 .50 and 2 .30 MG, 4 triple 21” torpedo tubes, two depth charge rails, two throwers and a Y gun. They are unmanueverable, short ranged and wet forward thanks to their flush decks, but are superior to their predecessors. They are presently in reserve.

105 are Clemson(DD-186) class 1200 ton stretched Wickes. They have 35% more range, larger rudders to increase maneuverability and strengthened gun positions. 8 of them have been rearmed with 4 twin 4”/50, while 12 have been rearmed with 4 5”/51 main guns instead of their 4 single 4”/50 and 40 have replaced their 4” and 3” guns with 6 3”/50, and the Y gun replaced with 2 extra depth charge throwers. 10 Clemson class have been converted to destroyer minelayers with 3 3”/50 DP guns replacing their 4” and 3” guns armament and rails for 80 mines their torpedoes. 2 have been converted to fast transports, with speed reduced to 25 knots and armament to 2 3”/50 guns with no torpedoes to carry 120 marines and their boats. 8 have been converted to seaplane tenders, with speed reduced to 25 knots and armament to 2 3”/50 and no torpedoes to tend flying boat squadrons. 55 are in reserve. Currently it is planned to convert 5 more to seaplane tenders and 5 more to transports.

20 are Trippe class (DD-361) destroyers, 1250 ton vessels with a slightly modified bow and slightly more range. All have been modified to carry 6 3”/50, 4 triple 21” torpedo tubes, 4 depth charge throwers, two racks, 4 .50 HMG and 4 .30 MG.

The first post WWI destroyers, as opposed to destroyer leaders are the 24 Ammem (DD-425) class, 37 knot 1500 ton ships. They have 4 5”/38 DP guns in enclosed power operated turrets on the centerline, 2 quad 21” torpedo tubes on the centerline, 6 .50 HMG, 2 depth charge rails and 6 throwers. The ships are functionally built in 3 subclasses with different propulsion arrangements and are compared to the WWI flush deckers much more seaworthy, longer ranged and habitable.

The 8 Monaghan (DD-449) class are enlarged 1600 ton 36.5 knot vessels. They use this tonnage to fit a third quad 21” tube and to increase range and seaworthiness. They are expected to enter service between November 1940 and May 1941.

The 8 Walke (DD-457) class are further enlarged 37 knot 1700 ton vessels. They mount a fourth quad torpedo tube on the centerline and two extra .50 HMG compared to their predecessors. They are expected to commission between June 1941 and January 1942.

The 8 Patterson (DD-465) class are further enlarged 1800 ton vessels. They have new machinery that allows for greater redundancy and carry 5 5”/38 DP and 3 quad 21” Torpedo tubes. They will commission over summer and fall 1942.

The 8 Jarvis (DD-473) class are 1900 ton vessels. They switch to 3 quintuple 21” torpedo tubes and replace the AA with 8 20mm Autocannon. They are on order and will be laid down in the first two quarters of 1941.

Supporting these are destroyer tenders. USS Melville (AD-2) is a 7200 ton purpose built vessel capable of 15 knots. She has 2 5”/38, 4 3”/50, and 16 .50 HMG.

The 4 Dobbin (AD-4) class are 12,500 ton purpose built vessels capable of 16 knots. They have 4 5”/38 and 16 .50 HMG.

USS Black Hawk (AD-12) is a 6000 ton 13 knot vessel with 4 5”/51, 1 3”/50 and 12 .50 HMG.

The 3 Altair (AD-14) class are 6300 ton converted merchants, 10.5 knots with a 5”/38, 4 3”/50 and 8 .50 HMG.

Under construction are 2 Prairie (AD-17) class destroyer tenders, 20 knots, 10,000 tons with 4 5”/38, 4 twin 1.1” and 16 .50 HMG.

The US has a fairly extensive submarine fleet.

55 S-Boats from WWI remain. 850 ton vessels, they make 14 knots surfaced, 11 knots submerged with a 5000 knot range. They have 4 bow 21” tubes with 12 torpedoes and a 4”/50 deck gun, 15 units have a stern tube with 2 torpedoes as well. They are cramped, unreliable, shallow diving and are unable to use modern 21” torpedoes due to short tubes. 35 are in reserve

The 3 2100 ton Bonitas are the first fleet boats, they can make 19 knots surfaced and 9 submerged with a 6,000 knot range. They have 6 21” tubes, 4 bow, 2 stern, with 12 torpedoes, and a 3”/50 deck gun. They failed to meet design goals and are presently in reserve.

The 3 Bass class are submarine minelayers. They make 14 knots surfaced and 8 submerged with a 10,000 knot range on 2700 tons. They have 4 21” tubes in the bow with 16 torpedoes, 2 6”/53 deck guns and 2 mine tubes with 60 mines. They are in reserve, partly for not meeting their design goals.

The 3 Barracuda class are 2400 ton vessels based on the Bonita class. They make 21 knots submerged and 10 submerged, with a range of 7,000 knots and carry a 5”/51 deck gun, with identical torpedo armament.

The 3 Cachalot class are 2500 ton improved Barracudas, with an 7,500 knot range, 2 6”/53 deck guns and 14 torpedoes.

The 3 Argonaut class are 3000 ton minelayers, capable of 16 knots surfaced and 9 submerged with a 10,500 knot range. They have the same torpedo and gun armament as their predecessors but can carry 64 mines.

The 6 Narwhal class are 2800 ton derivatives of the Argonauts as standard cruiser submarines. They retain the gun armament but make 18 knots surfaced and 10 submerged with 4 bow and 2 stern 21” tubes with 24 torpedoes. As built they were to carry a floatplane but this proved too unwieldy and was removed.

The 3 Dolphin class are 3200 ton minelayers. Compared to the Argonauts they have a range of 12,000 knots and can carry 72 mines.

The 3 Nautilus class are 2500 ton cruiser submarines. They have 1 5”/51 deck gun, and 6 torpedo tubes with 22 fish and a 10,000 knot range, with 18 knot surface speed and 9 submerged.

The 4 Tarpon class are 1300 ton economy designs. The make 18 knots surfaced and 8 submerged with a 6,000 knot range. They have a 3”/50 deck gun, 4 fore and 2 aft 21” tubes with 16 torpedoes and 4 .50 HMG as AA guns.

The 4 Stingray class are 1500 ton fleet boats. They make 21 knots surfaced and 9 submerged with a 11,000 knot range, thanks to better engines. They have a 3”/50 deck gun, 8 21” tubes, 4 bow and 4 stern, 24 torpedoes and 4 .50 AA MGs.

The 4 Seadragons are repeat Stingrays with significantly improved batteries, improved drive trains for greater reliability and the ability to carry up to 48 mines instead of torpedoes.

The 4 Thresher class are slightly enlarged Seadragons at 1600 tons. They have a slightly greater crush depth, an additional pair of torpedo tubes fore, better arranged torpedo storage and command arrangements and provision for a much heavier deck gun. The first two will commission in early 1941, the next two in early 1942 and two more are expected to be ordered next fiscal year.

The Grenadier class submarines are 800 ton mass production vessels to replace the S-Boats. They have a surface speed of 18 knots, a submerged speed of 8 knots and a range of 6,000 knots. They have 4 bow and 2 stern 21” tubes with 14 fish, a 4”/50 deck gun, 2 .50 AA MG and provision for up to 32 mines. While having crew quarters below the standards of current US fleet boats and lacking in air conditioning, they have the deepest crush depth and greatest maneuverability. 16 are under construction, 8 to commission in 1941 and 8 more in 1942, with an additional 8 or 16 expected to be ordered in the next year.

Supporting the submarines are tenders. US Holland (AS-3) is the first purpose built vessel, an 8500 ton 16 knot ship. She has 8 5”/38 in single mounts, 4 3”/50, 8 .50 HMG and a 21” torpedo tube for testing purposes.

USS Beaver (AS-5) is a 6000 ton converted merchant capable of 16.5 knots. She has 4 5”/51, 2 3”/50, and 8 .50 HMG

USS Camden (AS-6) is a 6100 converted merchant ship capable of 12 knots. She has 4 4”/50, 2 3”/50 and 8 .50 HMG.

USS Canopus (AS-9) is a 6000 ton converted merchant capable of 13 knots. She has 2 5”/38, 4 3”/50 and .12 .50 HMG.

USS Argonne (AS-10) is an 8400 ton converted design 1024 Hog Islander, capable of 15.5 knots. She has 4 5”/51, 4 3”/50 and 8 .50 HMG.

The Bushnell (AS-11) class are 10,000 ton 16 knot vessels. They have 4 single 5”/38, 4 twin 1.1” autocannon and 16 .50 HMG. The lead vessel is in commission, with the second unit scheduled for July 1941 and the third for January 1942.

The US has a fairly large mine warfare fleet. 45 Lapwing (AM-1) class remain in reserve from WWI. 850 tons they make 14 knots and have 2 3”/50 and 2 machine guns. 10 have been converted to Seaplane Tenders, losing a 3” gun and their minesweeping gear.

4 Osprey (AM-56) class supplement them, new diesel powered vessels capable of 18 knots but only 800 tons with the same armament. The last vessel of the class will commission in December 1940, with the remaining 3 already in service. It is expected that a derivative design will be ordered in mass in the next year.

The two Aroostook class (CM-3) are 3900 ton converted merchants, making 20 knots with 1 5”/38, 4 3”/50, 8 .50 MG and up to 300 mines.

The US has 3 Terror (CM-5) class minelayers under construction. 6000 ton vessels they make 25 knots with 4 single 5”/38, 4 quad 1.1” autocannon, 16 20mm autocannon and up to 960 mines. They will commission in summer and fall 1942.

The US Army operates 11 Mineplanters of under 2000 tons for supporting coastal defense minefields with 4 under construction, and supporting Cable Layers and Danlayers in proportion.

The US has a large gunboat force to patrol its colonial holdings and informal empire.

The 2 Dubuque (PG-17) class are the oldest, 1200 tons and 13 knots they have been refitted with a 5”/38, 2 4”/50 and a 3”/50 AA gun, as well as 4 machine guns.

USS Sacramento (PG-19) is a 1400 ton vessel capable of 12 knots with 3 4”/50 and 1 3”/50 AA and 4 machine guns.

The 2 Asheville (PG-21) class are 1600 ton vessels capable of 12 tons with 3 4”/50, 1 3”/50 AA, 4 machine guns and a depth charge rack.

The 12 remaining Eagle class (PE) are 600 ton 18 knot vessels with 2 4”/50, 1 3”/50 AA, 2 .50 HMG and a depth charge rail. They are unseaworthy and unmaneuverable, being a WWI attempt by Ford to build ships with automobile production techniques. 6 are in reserve and 6 in service.

The 4 Charleston (PG-50) class are 2000 ton vessels capable of 19 knots, with minimal armor against destroyer caliber weapons, and a floatplane. They carry 4 6”/47 in single mounts, 2 superfiring, 4 quad 1.1” autocannon, 8 .50 HMG and 2 depth charge rails.

The 6 Niagara (PG-54) class are near sisters of the Charleston class, removing the floatplane and fighting two depth charge throwers and a 3”/50 AA gun.

USS Isabel (PY-10) is a 700 ton 26 knot yacht with 2 3”/50, 2 3”/23, a depth charge rail ,two throwers and 2 machine guns.

USS Monocacy (PR-2) is a 200 ton river gunboat in China, 13 knots with 2 6 pounders and 6 machine guns.

The 2 Guam class (PR-3) are 350 ton River Gunboats, 14.5 knots with 2 3”/50 and 8 MGs.

The 2 Panay class (PR-5) are 450 ton River Gunboats, 15 knots with 2 3”/50 and 8 MGs.

The 2 Luzon class are 500 ton River Gunboats, 16 knots with 2 3”/50 and 10 MGs.

20 SC-1 class wooden hulled subchasers remain in inventory, 75 tons and 18 knots they have a 3”/23, 2 machine guns, 2 depth charge rails and a Y gun depth charge thrower.

4 100 ton wooden and 4 350 ton steel experimental subchasers are in service with varying armaments and propulsion schemes.

The US also operates 12 Naugatuck class Monitors as floating coastal defense batteries. 2000 ton vessels they make 8 knots, have protection against 6” shellfire and the ability to anchor and flood down to present a minimal target. They have 4 6”/47 in twin turrets, 2 twin 3”/50 AA and 8 .50 HMG.

The USN Navy has a pair of 12 boat squadrons of Patrol Torpedo boats of between 54 and 81 feet in length for experimental purposes.

The US Coast Guard operates a large force of cutters that can serve as naval patrol boats.

The 20 Treasury class are 2,000 ton unarmored variants of the Erie class gunboat, 20 knots with 2 5”/51, 2 57mm and 8 .50 HMG with a floatplane.

The 12 Lake class are 1600 ton 16 knot vessels with 1 5”/51, 1 3”/50, 2 57mm and 4 machine guns.

The 6 Tampa class are 1500 ton 15.5 knot vessels with 2 5”/51, 2 57mm and 2 machine guns.

USCG Unalga is a 1200 ton 12.5 knot vessel with 2 57mm guns and 2 machine guns.

The 8 Algonquin class are 1000 ton 13 knot vessels with 2 3”50, 2 57mm and 2 machine guns

The 20 Thetis class are 16 knot 350 ton vessels with a 3”/50, a 37mm autocannon and 2 machine guns.

The 40 Active class are 13 knot 240 ton vessels with a 3”/23, 2 machine guns and 2 depth charge rails.

100 75 foot 15 knot patrol boats remain in service in the Coast Guard, Navy and various government agencies with a 37mm gun and 2 machine guns.

The United States Navy has a large naval aviation arm, and the USCG a small one.

The United States maintains the worlds largest marine force, which includes its own air arm as well as tanks and artillery.

The US Navy has an extensive fleet train second only to the British one that allows for global operations, if not to the scale the USN would desire.

The US Navy also has numerous heavy engineering units for forward construction.

Air Forces:

The United States Army Air Corps is a large air force but subordinated to the US Army with 3000 aircraft.

The Newest fighter is the Lockheed P-42 Cleaver, a modern all metal monoplane with retractable landing gear with good but not best in class performance. It has 2 .50 HMG in the nose and 2 .30 MG in the wings with 1000 pounds of bombs in its USAAC configuration and 30 are in service with over 500 more on order. The standard fighters are the Curtis P-37 Hawk and Seversky P-36 Pistoleer. The former is a modern all metal monoplane of above average performance with a .50, a .30 and 200 pounds of bombs. The latter is a similar aircraft with worse performance but twice as many machine guns and 350 pounds of bombs, as well as notoriously leaky fuel tanks. 150 of each are in service. The Boeing P-27 Porcupine is an open cockpit, braced wing, fixed gear all metal monoplane, with low speed, only average maneuverability, low rate of climb and an armament of 1 .50, 1 .30 and 200 pounds of bombs, 100 remain in service. 20 old Curtis Hawk biplanes and 50 Boeing Axman biplanes of various marks remain in service, typical late 20’s biplanes they are slow, low performance and have 2 .30 Machine guns and 100 pounds of bombs.

In development is an improved radial engine fighter to complement the P-42, a single engine bomber destroyer and a twin engine heavy fighter, all are in pre production with flying prototypes.

The oldest USAAC light bomber is the A-13 Falcon, an open cockpit all metal monoplane with fixed gear, it is very slow, with a 500 mile range, only carries 500 pounds of bombs, 4 .30 machine guns for strafing a rear .30, with 30 in service. The B-13 is the next oldest, still slow it is a twin engine all metal monoplane with enclosed cockpits and turrets, with a 1240 mile range, 3 .30 MGs for defense and 2350 pounds of bombs, 150 are in service. The A-18 Aggressor is a successor to the A-13, having an enclosed cockpit, retractable landing gear, being faster, if still very slow, and carrying up to 1200 pounds of bombs to650 miles, with a lower ceiling than its predecessor that impedes operations.

The standard Medium bomber is the Douglas B-19, a modern all metal monoplane derived from an airliner. While slow it has a range of 900 miles and a bomb load of up to 4400 pounds, with 3 .30 MGs for defense. 350 are in service. 10 B-26 are in service, an improved B-19 they are fast, with the same bombload a 1400 mile range and an extra .50 HMG in the tail, 50 more are under contract. A contest for a new medium bomber is being held.

The standard heavy bomber is the Boeing B-20 Hemispheric Defense Bomber, nicknamed the flying fortress. Fast for a bomber, it has 7 .30 machine guns for defense, is surprisingly robust, can carry 4200 pounds of bombs with a range in excess of 2000 miles. 40 are in service with 60 more of an improved model under contract. A second heavy bomber design to a similar spec is in development, and a contest has been announced for a Hemispheric Counter Offensive Bomber with substantially greater performance.

120 O-40 Observation aircraft are in service, all metal open cockpit biplane they are slow, low ceiling aircraft with one forward and one flexible .30 MG, and can be used as ersatz light bombers with a 400 pound bomb load. 75 O-47 enclosed cockpit monoplanes have better performance but cannot be used as bombers. 250 O-49 are modern enclosed cockpit monoplanes with retractable gear, while having better performance they are still slow and sluggish with a low ceiling by single engine aircraft standards and are underarmed.

The USAAC operates a large number of experimental aircraft that have a limited production run and are in use as both combat aircraft, experimental aircraft and trainers.

The Untied States has a very large fleet of trainers, liaison and utility aircraft of domestic design. It also operates a decent sized transport force using domestic designs.

The United States Navy has a large naval air arm of 2000 aircraft, and controls the 400 aircraft of the USMC.

The standard Fighter is the Grumman F4F Fifi, an enclosed cockpit biplane with retractable landing gear of all metal construction, fast for a biplane with good characteristics it has a .50 HMG and a .30MG ,with capacity for 250 pounds of bombs. 150 are in service. 50 of the older lower performance F2F are also in service, with only 2 .30 MG and no provision for bombs. A new monoplane aircraft, the F15C, is to be introduced with 300 under contract, and plans for a newer aircraft are underway.

The most common dive bomber is the SBC Helldiver, an enclosed cockpit retractable gear biplane with performance equal to the F2F it has 1 fixed and 1 flexible .30 MG, 1000 pound bombload and a range of 400 miles, 200 are in service. 100 fixed gear SBU, with slightly lower performance and a 500 pound bombload are in service. 150 SB2U are in service, a retractable gear monoplane with a range of 1000 knots, a 1200 pound bombload and upgunned machine guns to .50. In development is a longer ranged monoplane dive bomber with a 2200 pound bombload, and the firepower and maneuverability to serve as an auxiliary fighter.

The standard Torpedo Bomber is the TBD a modern enclosed cockpit monoplane with retractable gear and folding wings, it can carry a torpedo or 1500 pounds of bombs, has a forward .50 and a flexible .30 for defense and a range of 450 miles with a torpedo, but is very slow and unmanueverable for a monoplane with a poor ceiling, 250 are in service. A contest for a new torpedo bomber is underway, with a stopgap design based on a competitor to deploy in 1941.

The standard Flying Boat is the PBY a twin engine design with a range of 2500 miles, 3 .30 and 2 .50 machine guns and 4000 pounds of bombs, depth charges or torpedoes, but a typically low ceiling, 250 are in service with more under contract. 50 of the predecessor P3Y are in service, slower with a 1200 mile range, 3 .30 MG and 200 pounds of bombs. Supplementing these are 20 PB2Y, a 4 engine design, slightly slower with a 1000 mile range, 6 .50 MG and two torpedoes or 12,000 pounds of bombs, with 20 more under contract.

The USN has a stockpile of single engine float planes of various types for use on warships. None of these stand out in particular.

The USMC uses older naval aircraft and are included in these totals.

The USN uses its own trainers and transports that sometimes but do not always have commonality with the Army Air Corps.

The USCG has a small air arm of 100, a mix of single seat floatplanes and P3Y flying boats, with appropriate trainers.

The United States has advanced aeronautical research programs of all types.

The US Army and USMC are both experimenting with paratroopers, but neither has gone beyond the company level.

Weapons of Mass Destruction:

The United States has a large and diverse stockpile of chemical agents, primarily Mustard variants, Phosgene, Cyanogen Chloride and Lewisite. Dispersal is by Aerial Bomb, artillery shell and artillery rocket

The United States does not currently have an offensive biowarfare program

The United States has a centralized nuclear program that is making very good progress but is not leading

Problems:

The United States is across the oceans from potential troubles

The United States military is underfunded for its duties

There is a strong current of political isolationism in the United States

The American establishment has no faith in the former Entente

-The Eve of War, the World on October 1st 1940, Eagle Press, Philadelphia, 2001

 

[generalurist]

So here it is, the United States military. Probably the most comprehensive rundown of an ATL military's equipment I've ever seen. Just how to you make all these detailed lists?

Seems the army is ding a lot better in tanks than OTL at the start of the war. Oh man the USN loves is 4x3 16 inch turrents, that's plenty of firepower! The Ohio class in particular are chonkers, only 10K tons smaller than Yamato! the Bonhomme Richard looks like a good carrier too, will these be the Essexes of TTL? Since this is the navy before the war starts, it won't include the CVE fleet so I'm curious how that develops.

"The United States has a centralized nuclear program that is making very good progress but is not leading" Well that is alarming. Who is leading then? Here's hoping the Manhattan Project catches up.