The Soviet Red Army: The Strongest Military in WWII
When discussing the strongest military in World War II, despite the initial setbacks, the Soviet Red Army by 1945 had evolved into the most formidable and powerful fighting force in the world.
Historical Context and Reliability
It is important to clarify the terminology here—army and military.
The late-war Soviet Red Army was not merely a recollection of the forces that were chased across Russia in 1941. By 1945, the Soviets had turned the tide of the war, transforming their military into one of the most efficient and effective fighting machines in history.
Military Capabilities and Equipment
The Red Army was an incredibly large entity. By the late stages of the war, it boasted an astounding 12 million soldiers, tens of thousands of tanks, and a massive arsenal of artillery. This numerical advantage over the Allied forces in Western Europe at the same time was unprecedented.
Advanced Combat Vehicles
By late-war standards, the Red Army was well-equipped. Their tank armies were equipped with the formidable T-34-85 medium tanks and the powerful IS-2 heavy tanks. Additionally, the Soviet forces had a wide array of assault guns, including the SU-76M, ISU-152, and ISU-122. The gunners were also meticulously armed with the simple 76mm gun, powerful 152mm and 203mm howitzers, and the fearsome Katyusha rocket launchers.
Urban Warfare and Artillery Tactics
The Red Army had mastered the art of deep battle and combined arms warfare, as demonstrated by their success in operations like the Vistula-Oder offensive and Operation Bagration. The Red Army excelled in urban warfare and artillery tactics, employing strategic deception to achieve victory.
Combat Experience and Leadership
The Red Army by 1945 was a highly seasoned fighting force, with the majority of its soldiers having between three to four years of combat experience. This experience came from the deadly landscapes and battles of the eastern front, facing an extremely competent opponent.
Weaponry and Infantry
In terms of infantry, the PPSH-41 submachine gun was crucial. It was the most mass-produced submachine gun in history, with over 6 million units manufactured, proving its reliability and effectiveness on the battlefield.
Strategic Leadership
The Red Army was led by some of the most skilled generals of the war, including the famous General Georgy Zhukov, as well as capable leaders such as Joseph Konev, Marshal Ivan Rokossovsky, Marshal Andrei Vasilevsky, Marshal Vasily Malinovsky, and Marshal Ivan Bagramyan. Under such capable and experienced leadership, the Red Army's performance was consistently exceptional.
Lend-Lease and Allied Support
The Soviet war effort received crucial support from the Lend-Lease program, initiated by the United States and the United Kingdom. The Western Allies supplied the Soviets with thousands of tanks, trucks, and aircraft, as well as immense amounts of radios, natural resources, food, and boots. This support was invaluable in mechanizing the Red Army, supplying Red Army soldiers with essential equipment, and ensuring the fighting capability of the Soviet army.
Examples of Allied Contributions
For example, Soviet soldiers received the M4A2 Sherman, a tank that was highly well-liked among crews for its reliability and comfortable leather seats.
In summary, the Red Army emerged as the most formidable fighting force in World War II, thanks to its immense size, excellent leadership, advanced equipment, strategic capabilities, and strategic support from the Allied nations through the Lend-Lease program.
Stay informed and read on for more insights into the military prowess of the Red Army during World War II.