4 ms·

American lend-lease was 11% of the Soviet war effort. The vast majority of that 11% was consumer goods, not weaponry.

kranke155 2y ago
Then why did both Stalin and Khrushchev say it was important for the victory ? Sorry but I’ve read tons of AskHistorians answers about this. I recommend you go there and search this same question. The Soviets needed that 11%. My understanding is that a lot of it helped mechanise the Soviet Army, ie trucks were delivered in large quantities. From Claude I got this: “In Khrushchev's memoirs, he recalled Stalin saying in a private conversation that without American aid through Lend-Lease, the Soviet Union "would not have been able to cope because we lost so much of our industry." Khrushchev himself wrote that Lend-Lease was "of utmost importance" and that "we would have been in a difficult position without it." “
kranke155 2y ago
Here is some more from Claude (it sounds about right but I don’t have to check this): “ The significance of Lend-Lease goes far beyond the raw percentage of industrial output. Here's why it was so crucial: 1. Timing and Critical Shortages: - The aid arrived during the most critical period (1941-1942) when Soviet industry was being relocated east of the Urals - During this vulnerable period, American trucks, food, and materials helped keep the Soviet army mobile and fed - Without this bridge of support during the industrial relocation, the USSR would have faced severe shortages at its most vulnerable moment 2. Strategic Materials and Bottlenecks: - The Soviets received specific materials that were severe bottlenecks in their production: - Aviation fuel and high-octane gas - Aluminum for aircraft production - Radio equipment and communications gear - Special grades of steel and industrial equipment - These materials were critical multipliers that enabled Soviet production 3. Transportation and Logistics: - Nearly 450,000 trucks were provided, which revolutionized Soviet logistics - Before Lend-Lease, the Red Army relied heavily on horse transport - American Studebaker trucks allowed for rapid troop movements and superior logistics - This mobility was crucial for later Soviet offensive operations”

Then why did both Stalin and Khrushchev say it was important for the victory ? Sorry but I’ve read tons of AskHistorians answers about this. I recommend you go there and search this same question. The Soviets needed that 11%. My understanding is that a lot of it helped mechanise the Soviet Army, ie trucks were delivered in large quantities. From Claude I got this: “In Khrushchev's memoirs, he recalled Stalin saying in a private conversation that without American aid through Lend-Lease, the Soviet Union "would not have been able to cope because we lost so much of our industry." Khrushchev himself wrote that Lend-Lease was "of utmost importance" and that "we would have been in a difficult position without it." “

kranke155 2y ago

Here is some more from Claude (it sounds about right but I don’t have to check this): “ The significance of Lend-Lease goes far beyond the raw percentage of industrial output. Here's why it was so crucial: 1. Timing and Critical Shortages: - The aid arrived during the most critical period (1941-1942) when Soviet industry was being relocated east of the Urals - During this vulnerable period, American trucks, food, and materials helped keep the Soviet army mobile and fed - Without this bridge of support during the industrial relocation, the USSR would have faced severe shortages at its most vulnerable moment 2. Strategic Materials and Bottlenecks: - The Soviets received specific materials that were severe bottlenecks in their production: - Aviation fuel and high-octane gas - Aluminum for aircraft production - Radio equipment and communications gear - Special grades of steel and industrial equipment - These materials were critical multipliers that enabled Soviet production 3. Transportation and Logistics: - Nearly 450,000 trucks were provided, which revolutionized Soviet logistics - Before Lend-Lease, the Red Army relied heavily on horse transport - American Studebaker trucks allowed for rapid troop movements and superior logistics - This mobility was crucial for later Soviet offensive operations”