Western Allies vs USSR

[Escuadrilla Azul]

What would has happen if any spark ignited a war between the Western Allies and the USSR around VE Day?

Could 2nd & 1st TAF & 9th & 12th AF be able to stop the soviet armour assault (don't think that Commonwealth & US armour would do more than a token resistance against it) and keep at bay the VVS?

Would 8th & 15th AF and Bomber Command be brought to a tactical role? I guess probable for the US given the distance to meaninful strategic targets and the sure need for reinforcements for the TAFs, combined with attacks on airfields and communication nodes beyond the front lines. But have doubts with Bomber Command, given the disdain from Harris for the use of the bombers under his command in the tactical role.

How would the VVS perform? Could it achieve a significative role supporting the Red Army or would have their hands full trying to protect own ground forces, airfields and rearguard? Surely they would be a hard nut to crack, but not sure if they could be able to support the ofensive and defend the lunes

Regarding the german airmen, would the Western Allies use them against the Soviets? My guess is that they would be used at first as advisors and in a few weeks, barely months, would be equiped with western planes and thrown in to the battle.

 

[Peter Gunn]

This was discussed already here somewhere, I'm too lazy to dig up the thread but you could search for it.

 

[GrauGeist]

Could 2nd & 1st TAF & 9th & 12th AF be able to stop the soviet armour assault (don't think that Commonwealth & US armour would do more than a token resistance against it) and keep at bay the VVS?

British and American tanks were quite capable of defeating anything the Red Army possesed.

The VVS and AVMF did not have any aircraft that the Western Allies could not match and most importantly, the Soviet Union had no hope of holding out against the United State's industrial might (which was still ramped up to max. output, as the war was not over and expected to last through 1946 in the Pacific), especially since the Soviet war effort was supported by lend-lease.

 

[Escuadrilla Azul]

This was discussed already here somewhere, I'm too lazy to dig up the thread but you could search for it.

Thanks, It seems strange to me that this wasn't talked about.

Will tri yo find It.

 

[rednev]

USAAF/RAF vs VVS 1945

 

[Escuadrilla Azul]

British and American tanks were quite capable of defeating anything the Red Army possesed.

British and American tanks were quite capable of defeating anything the Red Army possesed.

The VVS and AVMF did not have any aircraft that the Western Allies could not match and most importantly, the Soviet Union had no hope of holding out against the United State's industrial might (which was still ramped up to max. output, as the war was not over and expected to last through 1946 in the Pacific), especially since the Soviet war effort was supported by lend-lease.

Well, I'm not so sure that they could defeat an massive assault of combined artillery and armoured divisions. Surely they would not run at the first shoot but the soldiers would have to endure attacks that they weren't used to.

Obviously, the Western Allies planes were more than capable of taking care of anything that the Soviets could throw to the Battle, but I don't belive that the VVS & AVMF would be sitting ducks and maybe an excess of overconfidence could have nasty effects early in the battle.

USA industrial output would be at full gear, but Japan wasn't defeated at that moment and if the Soviets get big chunks of western Europe in a short time, it wouldn't easy taking them back.

Lend-lease material was importante but don't belive It would be a key point in the short time.

Of course, the Soviets would face an enemy with relevant forces, both in numbers and with a technoligical edge, and won't be a military parade but they will fight in a fanatical way.

 

[Snautzer01]

British and American tanks were quite capable of defeating anything the Red Army possesed

No. Not even near. Not in numbers nor in capability. Perhaps in combined arms strategie.

 

[Shortround6]

No. Not even near. Not in numbers nor in capability. Perhaps in combined arms strategie.

This one gets iffy. Very few M-26 tanks got to Europe but over 2000 were built by Nov of 1945. One could argue about how fast they could get to Europe instead of Japan.
perhaps due to poor training but the M-26 did pretty well against T-34/85s in Korea. Granted there were some mechanical difficulties. Once the North Koreans ran short of tanks the M-26s tended to be replaced by M4A3E8s. in part due to better mobility, M-26s tended to break Korean bridges and things.
The Centurion was NOT in large scale production in 1945. I have no idea if it could have been.
Early Production of the M-26 from Wiki. correction welcome.
, 30 in December, 70 in January 1945, and 132 in February. The Detroit Tank Arsenal also started production in March 1945, and the combined output was 194 tanks for that month.
However there is going to be 1-2 month (and closer to the latter) travel time to get them to Europe.

860(?) M-36 tank destroyers were completed post war (most in 1945) and had the need really been there the ability to build M36B1s was there, (M-36 turret on M4A3 hulls.

Again, when does the lend lease door slam shut and what have the Russians got stockpiled.