What did the United States do in World War 2?

Answer 1

We provided the other countries on our side with the material means to wage war. In addition to arming our own forces we gave Russsia, Britain, the British dominions and other countries ships, airplanes, guns of all sizes, ammunition, the materials to produce their own weapons, and food. In addition we provided diplomatic and military leadership in forging the alliance, holding it together, and shaping the post war world. Also we fought and won on three continents and two oceans. Michael Montagne

Answer 2

A very broad topic. A few high points.

The USA had the luxury of being the only major combatant that had no fighting on its domestic territory. As such the USA was able to mobilize its huge resources and economy and thus produce more armaments than any other nation.

By the end of the war the USA had created the largest naval force and air force in world history. Again, not being directly attacked, the USA never developed a major fighting army as compared to Germany or Russia or even France. The USA army was involved in significant fighting in a few rather limited engagements such as North Africa (performed poorly), Sicily and Italy (better performance but nothing dramatic, just a long attrition battle), North France (performed adequately against second rate, immobile German troops), and Belgium (poor performance in the Battle of the Bulge), and Germany proper (lop sided battles against immobile, demoralized, cut off German troops). Late in the war, the USA army engaged some Japanese forces in battle, such as at Okinawa. IMO the USA army was never really tested in WWII against a major, well armed foe. By the time the USA got into Europe the Germans had no air cover and very limited mobility thanks to the British RAF. It is a miracle Germany did not collapse more quickly, say late 1944.

The USA Marine corp performed exceptionally in WWII, virtually defining the amphibious assault for the war.

The USA naval forces were nothing short of phenomenal. Outnumbered in numerous battles the USA forces nonetheless won almost every engagement against well run, well equipped Japanese forces. The USA submarine battles against Japan were also exceptional.

Overall you could say that the USA did about 90% of the fighting for the Allies in the Pacific (combined naval, air and land). Against Germany the USA did about 45% of the air campaign, 10% of the land campaign, and probably 5% of the naval.

Other than direct fighting the USA produced vast amounts of food, arms and other goods for its allies. Huge amounts of goods were shipped to Russia, China, Britain and others. Britain relied almost entirely on American loans and oil to stay in the war after 1943 having fought on alone for years against tyranny and had exhausted their supplies. Russia relied largely on American trucks, boots and food to keep their armies mobile after early 1943.

In summary it is likely that the allies could have defeated Germany in a conventional war without American help but it might have taken longer. The Pacific war was a hopeless cause for Japan and even a major victory such as Midway would not have saved Japan.

The fact is the Germans were the best at warfare just like every other army that faced them we had to learn the hard way and got our butts kicked at Kasserine. The Germans however were stopped short of their goals by some very tough fighting US GI's. AS far as Anzio I agree with digging in and waiting for the German counter attack rather than marching on Rome as it was the USA Naval guns played a vital role in stopping the German attack what might of happened if we were all spread out from the beach to Rome.

(in other words Americans won the war on their own and were the best fighters by larging up the Germans as adversaries) What a crock, the reality is rather that the German war machine considered the US military as second rate and placed their best units against CommonWealth (British, Canadian, New Zealand etc) units. My father who was in the 141 RTR (the Buffs) spent ten days in vicious fighting and held it for a further fifteen days before being relieved by Americans. His unit had only had time to brew a drink before the US relief came back down the road having given up a highly strategic position without much of a fight, THAT'S your US Miltary.
Fought for our freedom.

Answer 3

We ended it