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Report 35
NATIONAL WAR PROGRAM
MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT
August 31, 1943
Prepared by
Bureau of the Budget
Executive Office of the President
DECLASSIFIED
a
E.O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) and (E)
OMBletter, 11-27-172
By SLR NARS Date JAN. 2 2 1973
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
BUREAU OF THE BUDGET
WASHINGTON, A O.C.
file
Sept. 17, 1943.
FOR THE PERSONAL ATTENTION OF THE PRESIDENT.
H.D.S.
Report 35
NATIONAL WAR PROGRAM
MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT
August 31, 1943
Prepared by
Bureau of the Budget
Executive Office of the President
DECLASSIFIED
E.O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) and (E)
OMB letter, 11-27-72
By SLR NARS Date JAN % % 1973
CONTENTS
Page
I. Summary
1
II. Aeronautical Program
2
III. Army
7
IV. Navy
11
V. Merchant Shipping
17
VI. Review of Production in Selected War
Industries
18
VII. War Industrial Facilities
21
VIII. Stockpile and Public Purchases of Basic
War Commodities
23
IX. Agriculture and War Food Administration 24
X. Economic Stabilization Program
27
XI. War Finances
28
XII. Manpower
29
XIII. Administrative Developments
32
XIV. Charts
35
I. SUMMARY
Aircraft Production: 67.7 million pounds of military airframes were
accepted in August-an increase of 6 percent over July. The number of
aircraft acceptances in August totaled 7,612--an increase of 239 planes
over July. Four-engine bomber acceptances increased to 935.
(Page 2; and charts 1, 2)
Army Air Forces: First-line airplanes on hand totaled 49,947 on August 1;
of these, 26,602 were tactical. Active duty personnel of the Army Air
Forces totaled 2,239,000; 65,000 were pilots.
(Pages 3, 4)
Navy Aeronautical Program: The Navy had 19,466 airplanes on hand on
August 23; of these 10,810 were combat. Navy and Marine Corps military
aeronautical personnel totaled 218,000 on August 1; 28,000 were pilots.
(Pages 5, 6)
Active Military Strengths:
Total All Classes
Date
Army
7,198,000
Sept. 1
Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard
2,463,000
Aug. 15
The Army reported 1,816,000 overseas on
September 1.
(Pages 10, 16; and charts 3, 4)
Selected Ordnance Production
June
July
Jan.-July
Torpedo, submarine
693
691
4,046
Medium tank
2,026
2,165
14,313
Gun, 90mm antiaircraft
415
362
3,210
Gun, 155mm (field)
43
55
316
(Pages 7, 15)
Navy Ship Construction: 249 combatant vessels have been completed in 1943
through August 20: 2 battleships, 10 aircraft carriers, 21 aircraft car-
rier escorts, 2 heavy cruisers, 3 light cruisers, 81 destroyers, 99 des-
troyer escorts, and 31 submarines.
(Pages 11, 12; and charts 5-9)
Merchant Shipping: From August 1st through the 29th, 206,000 dwt. of
United Nations' merchant vessels were reported lost, while gains from new
construction increased 1,535,000 dwt.
(Page 17, and chart 10)
2
II. AERONAUTICAL PROGRAM
August Aircraft Production
Preliminary reports indicate that 67.7 million pounds of airframes
(spares included, gliders excluded) were accepted in August, bringing
the total for the first eight months of the year to 428.6 million pounds.
This is 12 percent below the 487.5 million pounds scheduled. The weight
increased 6 percent over July.
Military aircraft accepted in August totaled 7,612. This was 89 per-
cent of the working schedule of the J.A.C. and represented an increase of
239 planes over the July total. 935 four-engine bombers were accepted.
Aircraft Acceptances for 1943 Thru August
July
Jan.-
Scheduled
Aug.
August
Sept.-Dec.
Bomber, 4-engine
830
935
5,236
4,861
Bomber, 2-engine
816
905
6,674
4,806
Bomber, 1-engine
806
842
5,448
5,439
Fighter
2,082
2,309
13,278
12,535
Reconnaissance
26
20
317
332
Total combat
4,560
5,011
30,953
27,973
Transport, 4-engine
17
17
117
114
Transport, 2- & 1-eng.
622
614
4,414
3,349
Total tactical
5,199
5,642
35,488
31,436
Trainers
1,726
1,562
13,892
6,533
Liaison
399
362
2,648
1,645
Rotary wing
2
4
6
18
Special purpose
47
42
324
517
Grand total
7,373
7,612
52,358
40,149
The "pool" of accepted but undelivered aircraft increased 16 percent
during August to 1,852 (78 percent tactical) on August 31.
3
Army Air Forces
A. Airplanes. On August 1, the Army Air Forces had on hand 49,947
first-line airplanes, an increase of 2,817 or 6 percent during the month.
of the total, 26,602 were tactical types, including 4,833 four-engine
bombers.
Airplanes of the Army Air Forces on Hand
July 1, August 1, and July Increase
Type
July 1
Aug. 1
Increase
Tactical
Combat:
Bomber, heavy
4,327
4,833
506
Bomber, medium
3,450
3,633
183
Bomber, light
1,275
1,385
110
Fighter
7,425
8,188
763
Total combat
16,477
18,039
1,562
Service Combat:
Transport:
Heavy
304
350
46
Medium
1,977
2,065
88
Light
-
-
--
Utility
1,956
2,202
246
Special purpose
3,567
3,946
379
Total tactical
24,281
26,602
2,321
Trainers
22,849
23,345
496
Grand total
47,130
49,947
2,817
A.A.F. Airplane Inventories, Jan. 1 and Aug. 1, 1943
Bomber
Trans-
Heavy
Medium
Light
Fighter
Other
Total
port
Aug. 1, 1943
4,833
3,633
1,385
8,188
4,617
27,291
49,947
Jan. 1, 1943
1,996
1,628
641
4,453
1,297
20,321
30,336
Increase
2,837
2,005
744
3,735
3,320
6,970
19,611
4
B. Personnel of the Army Air Forces. The active duty strength of
the Army Air Forces, including personnel assigned from other services,
totaled 2,238,802 on August 1 - an increase of 41,688 during July and
91 percent of the requirements for the 273-group program by December 31,
1944.
Active Duty Strength of the Army Air Forces
August 1, 1943
Minimum
Requirements
Type of Personnel
Officers
Enlisted
Total
for
273 Groups
by Dec. 1944
Pilots
63,713
1,163
64,876
118,736
Aviation cadets
107,164
-
107,164
84,382
Bombardiers
11,635
552
12,187
18,231
Navigators
8,450
-
8,450
23,380
Observers
403
-
403
887
Engineers
5,285
-
5,285
5,926
Mechanics
--
213,107
213,107
289,244
Armorers
2,253
57,022
59,275
85,473
Meteorologists
1,307
-
1,307
4,762
Communications
3,820
-
3,820
6,265
Photographic
1,336
-
1,336
1,016
Radar
-
49,022
49,022
76,040
Other, Army Air Corps
67,640
1,070,453
1,138,093
1,046,462
Total, Army Air Corps
273,006
1,391,319
1,664,325
1,760,804
Assigned from other
branches
51,319
523,158
574,477
706,157
Total, Army Air Forces
324,325
1,914,477
2,238,802
2,466,961
C. Flying Training. During July, 5,232 pilots completed advanced
training, as compared with 5,628 in June. & total of 70,329 pilots have
completed advanced training since the beginning of the war emergency.
5
Bureau of Aeronautics
A. Airplanes. On August 23, the Navy reported a total of 19,466
airplanes on hand. Of these, 10,810 were tactical combat types - an
increase of 993 tactical combat types since July 26.
Navy Airplanes on Hand - July 26, Aug. 23, and Increase
Type
July 26
Aug. 23
Increase
Tactical Combat
Scout bomber
2,353
2,575
222
Tarpedo bomber
1,497
1,692
195
Patrol bomber, 2-engine:
Boat
1,012
1,078
66
Landplane
623
736
113
Patrol bomber, 4-engine:
Boat
82
98
16
Landplane
214
220
6
Observation scout
1,416
1,399
-17
Fighter
2,620
3,012
392
Subtotal
9,817
10,810
993
Tactical Non-Combat
Utility
187
190
3
Utility (multi-engine)
171
174
3
Transport
259
267
8
Transport (multi-engine)
277
297
20
Subtotal
894
928
34
Training
Trainer, primary
2,830
2,980
150
Trainer, advanced
4,592
4,725
133
Subtotal
7,422
7,705
283
Experimental
28
23
-5
Grand total
18,161
19,466
1,305
6
B. Personnel. The active duty strength of the Navy and Marine Corps
military aeronautical personnel on August 1 was 218,175, as compared with
a requirement through December 31, 1943 of 287,295.
The number of aviation pilots on active duty on August 1 was
86 percent of required strength.
Active Duty Strength on Aug. 1, 1943 and Requirements for Dec. 31, 1943
of Navy and Marine Corps Military Aeronautical Personnel
Navy
Marine Corps
Total
Require-
Actual
Require-
Actual
Require-
Actual
ments
ments
ments
12-31-43
Aug. 1
12-31-43
Aug. 1
12-31-43
Aug. 1
Pilots
Officers
30,181
21,600
11,507*
5,667*
41,688
27,267
Enlisted
915
786
1,253
121
2,168
907
Subtotal
31,096
22,386
12,760
5,788
43,856
28,174
Other
Officers
23,337*
22,210*
2,729
2,610
26,066
24,820
Enlisted
139,193
111,930
73,974
53,251
213,167
165,181
Subtotal
162,530
134,140
76,703
55,861
239,233
190,001
Grand total
193,626
156,526
89,463
61,649
283,089
218,175
* *Includes navigators
7
III. ARMY
Production of Ordnance Equipment
Production will have to be substantially increased over the July rates
if the 1943 requirements for the 37mm antiaircraft gun and carbine are to
be met.
Deliveries of Selected Critical Ordnance Materiel for 1943 Thru July
(Includes Defense Aid and Navy Items Procured by the Army)
Jan. 1
Required
Item
June
July
Thru
Production
July 31
19431
Aircraft?
Gun, 20mm
6,600
6,600
48,203
54,901
Gun, 37mm
498
260
4,125
7,062
Antiaircraft2/
Gun, 40mm
1,230
1,179
8,776
14,043
Gun, 90mm
415
362
3,210
4,149
Combat Vehicles
Tank, light
758
826
5,312
7,921
Tank, medium
2,026
2,165
14,313
23,187
Artillery2/
Mortar, 60mm and 81mm
1,980
1,980
13,137
23,669
Howitzer, 75mm (S.P., field,
and pack)
365
315
2,603
3,956
Howitzer, 105mm (S.P. & field)
450
582
3,264
5,515
Gun, 155mm (field)
43
55
316
596
Small Arms
Rifle, U.S., cal. .30, VI
92,750
90,700
622,230
1,180,030
Rifle, all other, U.S.,
cal. .30 and .303
165,575
148,026
913,440
1,851,916
Carbine
185,549
228,536
892,543
3,000,507
Machine gun, cal. .30
15,615
10,056
144,270
205,298
Machine gun, cal. .50
53,303
56,630
353,013
676,102
August 1, 1943 Army Supply Program
Proof firing may not be complete
8
Production of Ammunition
In only two cases, for the selected ammunition items, will July pro-
duction rates be high enough to meet the 1943 requirements if continued
for the balance of the year. The monthly production rates for some items
must be stepped up rather sharply to fulfill the year's requirements.
Deliveries of Selected Items of Ammunition for 1943 Through July
Jan. 1
Required
Item
June
July
Thru
Production
July 31
1943*
Bombs
250-lb., G.P. & demolition
21,213
27,111
573,968
775,000
500-1b., G.P. & demolition
153,131
135,160
591,504
1,751,000
1,000-lb., G.P. & demolition
23,298
23,328
259,109
548,000
2,000-lb., G.P. & demolition
11,000
10,409
76,177
140,000
4,000-lb., G.P. & demolition
301
550
1,577
4,875
1,000-lb., armor piercing
and semi-armor piercing
44,639
30,364
213,648
258,661
Cluster, fragmentation
51,758
74,344
432,787
1,399,395
Fragmentation, parachute
3,553
15,010
18,563
1,470,000
Small Arms Ammunition
(Million rounds)
All .30 cal.
1,028
1,103
6,519
12,165
All .50 cal.
422
453
2,533
5,010
For 20mm Guns, in, M2, Hispano
(Thousand rounds)
13,672
17,902
68,388
170,335
Antiaircraft Ammunition
(Thousand rounds)
For 37m A.A. guns
67
455
2,320
5,246
For 40mm A.A. guns
908
1,650
11,635
35,285
For 90mm A.A. guns
183
186
1,360
7,012
Artillery Ammunition
(Thousand rounds)
For 75mm field guns
1,463
1,413
7,769
20,598
For 155m guns (shell)
57
90
896
1,422
For 75mm pack and field howit.
683
572
3,941
11,288
For 105mm howitsers
1,126
975
5,794
18,514
For 155mm howitsers
211
196
2,049
3,191
For 60mm and 81mm mortars
1,268
1,222
11,483
19,795
*August 1, 1943 Army Supply Program
9
War Construction Program by the Corps of Engineers
The Office of the Chief of Engineers has authorized a total of $10.7 bil-
lion for emergency projects under its War Construction Program, as follows:
Construction in the U. S.
$9.7 billion
Construction outside the U. S.
.6 billion
Real estate program
ols billion
Total
$10.7 billion
Status of War Construction and Real Estate Program
August 1, 1943
Estimated Cost
In Place
Type of Facilities
Vil-
$ of
VHI-
Percent of Estimated Cost
lions
Total
lions
x o
25
50
75
100
War Construction
Air Force
$2,854
26
$2,697
95
Ground Force
2,663
25
2,594
97
Storage & shipping
935
9
916
98
Industrial
2,848
26
2,778
98
Outside U. S.
636
6
361
57
Other
408
4
354
87
Real Estate
399
4
290
73
Total, Aug. 1
$10,743
100
$9,990
93
Total, July 1
10,666*
9,796*
92
Increase
$ 77
$ 194
*Excluding repairs and utilities.
The status of the program of construction in the U. s., covering major
projects only (jobs of $500,000 and over), on August 1 was as follows:
Status of Major Projects of the War Construction Program
By Stages of Completion - August 1, 1943
Number of
Estimated
Status
Percent of
Projects
Cost
Total Cost
Completed
1,722
$7,791,656,000
87.5%
Under construction
325
1,110,491,000
12.4
Not started
8
6,474,000
.1
Total
2,055
$8,908,621,000
100.0%
10
Military Personnel
The estimated increase in the active duty strength of the Army during
August was 71,182, bringing the total to 7,198,000 on September 1.
Distribution of the Active Duty Strength
of the Army, by Grade
Aug. 1
Sept. 1
August
Actual
Estimated
Increase
Commissioned officers
542,463
555,285
12,822
Warrant and flight officers
22,896
23,790
894
Enlisted men and selectees
6,467,436
6,534,000
66,564
W.A.C.
61,403
52,425
-8,978
Subtotal
7,094,198
7,165,500
71,302
Army Nurse Corps
32,620
32,500
-120
Total
7,126,818
7,198,000
71,182
Commissioned officers and enlisted men overseas at the beginning of
September were estimated at 1,816,000, an increase of 94,000 over August 1.
Disposition of Active Duty Commissioned Officers and
Enlisted Men, by Assignment
Aug. 1
Sept. 1
August
Actual
Estimated
Increase
Army Ground Forces in U.S.
2,066,884
2,016,945
-49,939
Army Air Forces in U.S.
1,540,296
1,499,955
-40,341
Army Service Forces in U.S.
1,333,448
1,311,755
-21,693
In Defense Commands in U.S.
367,725
372,235
4,510
In staging areas
38,777
55,420
16,643
In ships
50,925
125,955
75,030
Overseas
1,728,763
1,815,735
86,972
Total
7,126,818
7,198,000
71,182
On September 1, the total active duty military personnel in continental
U.S., overseas, and in ships was distributed as follows: Ground Forces,
3,183,970 or 44 percent; Air Forces, 2,186,065 or 31 percent; and Service
Forces, 1,827,965 or 25 percent.
11
IV. NAVY
Completions of Naval Vessels
Two hundred forty-nine combatant vessels had been completed in 1943
through August 20, as compared with a total of 145 completions in the cal-
endar year 1942. Fifty-one of these completions occurred during July and
28 more during the first 20 days of August.
Physical Completions of Selected Naval Vessels
(Includes Land-Lease Vessels and Conversions)
1943
1942
Scheduled
Actual
Type
for
August
Actual
Thru
Balance
July
Thru
Aug. 20
20th
of Year
Combatant Vessels:
Battleship
4
2
0
0
o
Aircraft carrier
1
10
5
1
1
Aircraft carrier, escort*
17
21
25
3
3
Heavy cruiser
0
2
.2
0
o
Light cruiser
8
3
5
1
0
Destroyer
81
81
48
14
5
Destroyer escort
0
99
177
26
17
Submarine
34
31
31
6
2
Total combatant
145
249
293
51
28
Patrol craft
919
537,
436
76
39
Mine vessels
272
229
183
45
28
Auxiliaries
208
200
183
25
11
Landing force vessels**
215
429
211
40
29
* Formerly "auxiliary aircraft carrier"
** IST, LSD, and LCI(L)
12
Status of Construction of Selected Naval Vessels
of 1,581 combatant vessels on order on August 20, 14 percent had
been launched and 70 percent had not been placed on the ways.
Status of Construction of Selected Naval Vessels, Aug. 20, 1943
(Includes Lend-Lease Vessels)
New Construction on Order
Con-
Add'l
Type
Not Yet
On
Launch-
vert-
Total
Auth.
on Ways
Ways
ed
ing
Combatant Vessels:
Battleships
2
2
0
4
o
0
Aircraft carrier
13
11
3
27
0
0
Aircraft carrier, escort
15
5
12
32
48
0
Large cruiser
1
1
1
3
0
0
Heavy cruiser
17
8
2
27
0
0
Light cruiser
26
15
6
47
0
o
Destroyer
177
46
46
269
0
0
Destroyer escort
664
108
134
906
o
0
Submarine
196
46
24
266
0
0
Total combatant
1,111
242
228
1,581
48
0
Patrol craft
374
225
210
809
104
35
Mine craft
92
57
193
342
0
68
Auxiliaries
97
84
99
280
275
97
Landing force vessels*
566
77
31
674
0
186
*IST, LSD, and LCI(L)
13
Change in Vessels on Hand Since June 30, 1940
The number of combatant vessels of the Navy has increased by 260
since June 30, 1940 to a total of 643. These figures reflect only
publicly announced losses.
Gains and Losses of Selected Naval Vessels
June 30, 1940 Through August 20, 1943
(Includes Lend-Lease Vessels and Conversions)
Additions and Reductions
On Hand
6/30/40 to 8/20/43
On Hand
Type
June 30,
Losses,
Net
Comple-
Aug. 20,
1940
Transfers,
Gain
tions
1943
etc.*
or Loss
Combatant Vessels:
Battleship
15
8
1
7
22
Aircraft carrier
6
12
4
8
14
Aircraft carrier, escort
0
40
17
23
23
Heavy cruiser
18
2
6
&
14
Light cruiser
19
12
3
9
28
Destroyer
225
189
121
68
293
Destroyer escort
0
99
9
90
90
Submarine
100
81
22
59
159
Total combatant
383
443
183
260
643
Patrol craft
98
1,565
237
1,328
1,426
Mine craft
36
613
175
438
474
Auxiliaries
138
532
101
431
569
Landing force vessels**
0
647
236
411
411
** *Publicly announced losses, transfers, and reclassifications.
LST, ISD, and LCI(L)
14
Analysis of Losses, Transfers, and Reclassifications
Fifty-six combatant vessels have been announced as lost by the
Navy, 96 vessels transferred, and 42 vessels reclassified through
August 31, 1943.
Publicly Announced Losses, Transfers, and Reclassifications
June 30, 1940 to August 31, 1943*
Trans-
Reclassi-
Type
Lost
ferred
fied
Total
Combatant Vessels:
Battleships
1**
0
0
1
Aircraft carriers
4
o
o
4
Aircraft carrier escorts
o
23
0
23
Heavy cruisers
6
0
0
6
Light cruisers
3
0
o
3
Destroyers
30
50
41
121
Destroyer escorts
o
14
0
14
Submarines
12
9
1
22
Total combatants
56
96
42
194
Patrol craft
89
154
39
282
Mine craft
10
127
59
196
Auxiliaries
40
38
29
107
Landing craft***
3
227
3
233
Total other
142
546
130
818
Grand total
198
642
172
1,012
* Figure for August is incomplete, and Canadian construction is
excluded.
** The Arizona
*** LSD, IST, and LCI(L)
15
Production of Naval Ordnance Materiel
The following table shows the deliveries of selected ordnance
materiel for 1943 through July:
Deliveries of Selected Ordnance Materiel for 1943 Through July
(Includes Defense Aid and Army Items Procured by the Navy)
Scheduled
Jan. 1 to
Item
June
July
Production
Aug. 1
1943**
Torpedoes
Surface craft*
0
1
1
751
Submarine*
693
691
4,046
8,741
Aircraft*
655
620
2,715
8,422
Surface Fire Guns
Heavy, 12 in. and 16 in.
0
0
3
6
Medium, 8 in. and 6 in.
4
5
26
56
Light, 4 in.
4
3
31
101
Antiaircraft Guns
Heavy, 3 in. and 5 in.,
mounted barrel
757
771
4,403
9,160
Light, 40mm and 20mm,
mounted barrel
4,694
4,889
31,532
57,467
Fire Control Equipment
Gun directors
315
293
2,059
3,773
Radar fire control
40
92
343
1,642
Ammunition
Heavy surface fire
2,440
1,632
16,889
36,519
Medium surface fire
19,674
16,826
144,345
305,545
Light surface fire
188M
363M
1,419M
4,686M
Antiaircraft:
Heavy
406M
496M
2,634M
5,984M
Light:
20mm
37,738M
38,590M
271,146M
471,146M
40mm
774M
1,363M
15,104M
N.A.
191
139M
116M
5,150M
9,900M
M = 1,000 rounds
N.A. = Not available
* Turned into store
** Represents actual production through July 1943, and estimates for the
balance of the year as of July 31.
16
Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Personnel
The total active duty military personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps,
and Coast Guard on August 15 was over 2,463,000 an increase of approxi-
mately 195,000 during the last 30 days.
Active Duty Military Strength of the
Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard - August 15, 1943
Officer
Enlisted
Officers
Nurses
Total
Candidates
Personnel
Navy
Regulars
30,507
2,990
353,899
1,897
389,293
Reserves:
Men
150,324
112,718
1,267,057
4,094
1,534,193
Women
4,371
968
22,626
--
27,965
Subtotal
185,202
116,676*
1,643,582**
5,991
1,951,451
Marine Corps
Regulars
5,215
139
110,699
-
116,053
Reserves:
Men
18,087
12,609
200,887
-
231,583
Women
319
144
4,932
-
5,395
Subtotal
23,621
12,892
316,518**
-
353,031
Coast Guard
Regulars
3,406
508
26,020
--
29,934
Reserves:
Men
5,180
644
119,299
-
125,123
Women
254
73
3,627
-
3,954
Subtotal
8,840
1,225
148,946**
-
159,011
Grand total
217,663
130,793
2,109,046
5,991
2,463,493
* As of July 31, 1943
** The enlisted strengths approved by the President are:
Navy
2,092,960 by Dec. 31, 1943
Marine Corps
370,500 by Dec. 31, 1943
Coast Guard
150,000 by Feb. 28, 1943
17
V. MERCHANT SHIPPING
Gains and Losses, United Nations.
During the first 29 days of August no tankers were lost by the
United Nations, and for merchant vessels other than tankers the tonnage
reported lost was 206,000 dwt.-one-third of the July figure. During the
same period, gains from new construction increased 1,535,000 dwt. to a
total of 24,167,000 dwt. since December 1, 1941. The losses for the total
period amounted to 16,801,000 dwt., leaving a net gain of 7,366,000 dwt.
Gains and Losses of United Nations' Merchant Vessels
December 1, 1941 Through August 29, 1943
(000 Dwt.)
Dec. 1, 1941
Thru
Aug. 1
June 30, 1943
July
Thru 29
Total
Gains
20,817
1,815
1,535
24,167
Losses
15,978
617
206
16,801
Net gains
4,839
1,198
1,329
7,366
Merchant Ship Deliveries by U.S. Shipbuilders
During August, 142 merchant vessels totaling 1,604,000 dwt. were
delivered by U.S. shipbuilders. The July deliveries were 143 vessels at
1,625,626 dwt. To September 1, 62 percent of the 18,889,000 dwt. pro-
grammed for the year had been delivered.
Merchant Ship Deliveries by U.S. Shipyards, Aug. 1943
Type
Number
Dwt.
Dry cargo
125
1,326,971
Tanker
17
276,798
Total
142
1,603,769
18
VI. REVIEW OF PRODUCTION IN SELECTED WAR INDUSTRIES
Studies by the War Projects Unit of the Bureau indicate that:
(1) Peak production of synthetic rubber is not expected until the
second quarter of 1944, current output is below available capacity and
may amount to 254,000 tons for 1943. Total stocks available at the
beginning of 1944 will be low.
(2) Productive capacity of Government plants for anhydrous ammonia
is 40 percent in excess of military needs for explosives, and output may
be diverted to a fertilizer program.
Synthetic Rubber Program (Buna S)
The total program for synthetic rubber production in the United
States and Canada provides an annual capacity of 850,000 long tons. Of
this amount, 735,000 tons or 86 percent is Buna s, with the remainder
divided between two other special types. The Buna S program includes
14 plants for direct production of synthetic rubber and 28 plants to
supply, in the proper proportions, the two principal components,
butadiene and styrene. About 95 percent of this plant capacity is Gov-
ernment-financed, at an estimated cost of $470 million. The construction
of the Government-financed part of the program is now 80 percent com-
pleted and some plants are in actual production. Peak production is
expected during the second quarter of 1944.
Production of Buna s, besides being limited by its own plant capa-
city, is also controlled by the availability of its main components.
The following table shows estimated available capacity of Buna S and
the Buna S equivalents of capacity available for its components,
butadiene and styrene:
Production Capacity of Buna S Rubber
With Buna S Equivalents of Capacity for Components*
Period
Capacity (1,000 long tons)
Buna S
Butadiene
Styrene
1943 - 1st half
21.1 actual
34.5 actual
18.0 actual
- 2nd half
206.1
183.8
204.2
1944 - 1st half
358.6
346.2
362.7
- 2nd half
367.6
378.2
380.0
Short tons of styrene and butadiene are multiplied by 3.75
and 1.1, respectively, to convert them to Buna S long tons.
19
The output of butadiene may be curtailed below capacity, since
this production depends on the amount of feed stock (butens-butylene)
available. A considerable amount of this feed stock is secured from
petroleum plants which are under the control of the Petroleum Adminis-
trator for War and which are manufacturing high octans gasoline as the
principal product.
Actual production of Buna S and its components is failing to keep
pace with available capacity to produce. Many technical difficulties
in this new industry are still unsolved. In addition, manufacturing
technique for using synthetic rubber is not yet fully developed.
Current estimates of output for synthetic rubber for 1943, when
compared with stockpile and requirements, show that a seriously low
margin of rubber reserves will remain at the beginning of 1944. These
relations are summarized in the following table:
Stocks (crude) Jan. 1, 1943
443,000 tons
New supplies, 1943-synthetic 254,000
-crude
54,000
308,000 tons
Total supply
751,000 tons
1943 Requirements
609,000 tons
Stocks, Jan. 1, 1944
142,000 tons
Anhydrous Ammonia
In modern warfare, the nitrogen component of explosives is derived
chiefly from the synthetic production of anhydrous ammonia, using either
natural gas or coke. This chemical also has a wide general use in
industry and in fertilizer for agriculture. At the beginning of the
present war program, domestic capacity of the United States and imports
provided a total production of 860,000 tons of anhydrous ammonia per
year. A Government expansion program was begun in the fall of 1940 to
augment this production by ten Government plants with a designed capa-
city of 1,147,000 tons, more than doubling the previous supply. This
program also included facilities for converting ammonia to ammonium
nitrate, with a capacity of 756,000 tons, at a combined program cost of
$259 million.
By the spring of 1943 it had become apparent that these proposed
capacities were in excess of military needs. After canceling one plant
and reducing capacities of others, a total new capacity remains in
Government plants, amounting to about 793,000 tons for anhydrous
ammonia. Present total capacity of private plants amounts to 528,000
tons, or a total of 1,321,000 tons.
20
Present estimates of military requirements for the fiscal year 1944
amount to 477,000 tons of anhydrous ammonia, or about 60 percent of the
present reduced capacity of Government plants. A part of this capacity
(including the TVA plant at Muscle Shoals) has already been diverted to
manufacture for industrial purposes and for fertilizer. However, large
surpluses for which there are no ready storage facilities at the point
of manufacture will be accrued if the Government plants under Ordnance
Department control continue to operate at the present scheduled rate.
Studies are under way for utilizing this surplus capacity beyond
military needs for production of anhydrous ammonia for fertiliser, under
a program of the War Food Administration. Such a program will entail
completion and operation of the ammonium nitrate plants which were begun
as a part of the ammonia program but which are now largely kept in
standby condition because of a change in military requirements.
21
VII. WAR INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES
A total of 17,478 war industrial plant expansions, publicly and privately
financed, costing $20 billion, had been approved by June 1, 1943. This was a
net increase during May of 726 expansions, estimated to cost $279 million.
War Industrial Facilities Financed with Public and Private Funds
Number of Plant Expansions and Estimated Cost (Millions of Dollars)
June 1, 1943
Total
Public Funds
Private Funds
Type of Product
Number
Est.
Number
Est.
Number
Est.
Cost
Cost
Cost
Aircraft
1,380
$3,406
353
$3,150
1,027
$256
Ship construction & repair
768
2,246
227
2,145
541
101
Combat and motor vehicles
544
508
72
426
472
82
Guns
922
925
209
816
713
109
Ammunition, etc.
1,348
1,201
315
1,069
1,033
132
Explosives and assembling
160
2,885
81
2,872
79
13
Iron and steel
2,361
1,802
240
1,231
2,121
571
Non-ferrous metals
749
1,473
135
1,160
614
313
Machine tools
1,688
308
186
155
1,502
153
Machinery and equipment
2,508
802
331
475
2,177
327
Chemicals
884
1,411
177
1,118
707
293
Petroleum and coal products
282
609
40
201
242
408
Miscellaneous manufacturing
1,486
496
215
292
1,271
204
Non-manufacturing
2,653
1,916
100
444
2,553
1,472
Total
17,478
$19,988
2,426
$15,554
15,052
$4,434
Notes: Most projects costing less than $25,000 are excluded.
Public commitments for the purchase of $2.4 billion of machine tools
are excluded.
Number of plants by product groups do not add to totals because of
duplication of facilities between product groups.
22
Facilities financed with public funds were estimated to cost $15.6 bil-
lion on June 1, an increase of $160 million during May. $12.3 billion or
79 percent were in place on June 1.
(1)
War Industrial Facilities Financed with Public Funds
Value and Percentage in Place on June 1, 1943
(Millions of Dollars)
Type of Product
Number of
Est.
Construction in Place
Expansions
Cost
Value
$ 0
25
50
75
100
Aircraft
484
$3,151
$2,285
73
Ship construc-
tion and repair
391
2,145
1,688
79
Combat and
motor vehicles
89
425
379
89
Guns
295
816
709
87
Ammunition, etc.
453
1,069
994
93
Explosives and
92
2,872
2,731
95
assembling
Iron and steel
309
1,231
884
72
Nonferrous metals
156
1,160
854
74
Machine tools
215
155
139
90
Machinery and
420
475
352
74
equipment
Chemicals
204
1,118
764
68
Petroleum and
41
202
69
34
coal products
Misc. manufactur-
247
292
200
69
ing
Non-manufacturing
121
While
205
46
Total
3,517
$15,555
$12,253
79
Notes: Most projects costing less than $25,000 are excluded.
Public commitments for purchase of $2.4 billion of machine tools
are excluded.
Number of plants by product groups do not add to totals because
of duplication of facilities between product groups.
23
VIII. STOCKPILE AND PUBLIC PURCHASES OF BASIC WAR COMMODITIES
Strategic and critical materials are purchased by the Government:
(1) for stockpiles to be used only in case of an emergency with respect to
the specific items concerned; (2) for stockpiles to be released only by
WPB; and (3) for resale to industry currently upon receipt. The following
table shows the status of selected items as of August 15, 1943:
Stockpile Status of Selected Commodities - August 15, 1943
Percent of Purchase Program
Recom-
Unit
Stockpile
Inventory
mended
Inventory
Commodity
of
Inventory
Increase
Increase
Purchase
Measure
Aug. 15,
Since
Since Pearl
Program
1943
July 15
Harbor
Alcohol
1,000 gal.
125,000
104%
3%
104%
Antimony, metal
Tons
24,922
49
0
18
Chrome ore
1,000 1.t.
1,950
36
-1
22
Diamond dies
Dies
60,000
14
o
9
Manganese ore
1,000 1.t.
3,300
18
-3
3
Manila fiber
1,000 bales
2,037
4
0
-3
Mercury
Flasks
87,200
52
-2
47
Mica
Tons
14,415
72
o
54
Nickel, content
of matte
Tons
1/15,000
o
o
0
Nitrate of soda
1,000 tons
2,100
0
-1
Opium
1,000 lbs.
640
101
0
101
Quartz crystals
1,000 lbs.
2,099
166
19
95
Quinine sulphate
1,000 av.oz.
12,450
22
0
-36
Rubber
1,000 l.t.
3/1,900
9
-1
-9
Silk
1,000 bales
50-100
11
o
3
Tin, refined
1,000 l.t.
1/307
19
1
3
Tungsten
Tons
40,500
28
4
9
Zino concentrates
1,000 tons
1/1,700
13
-1
9
Zinc metal
Tons
160,000
65
10
65
Part or all of this amount consists of recommended purchases per annum.
2
88,770 tons stored in Chile.
Latest program recommends purchase of all available.
24
IX. AGRICULTURE AND WAR FOOD ADMINISTRATION
On the food production front the prospects are about the same as
reported last month. Arrangements have been made to increase shipments
of grain into the United States from Canada and to import more molasses
for production of alcohol 80 as to lighten the pressure on grain for
this purpose. A new scientific development in handling ammonium nitrate
promises to be of considerable significance in increasing agricultural
production after the war and to some extent during the war.
Prices and Income
The index of prices received by farmers rose 5 points (188 to 193)
from mid-July to mid-August, the highest level since September 1920,
while prices paid by farmers remained unchanged during the same period.
Cash farm income from marketings in the period from January to July 1943
totaled 34 percent more than in the first seven months of 1942. Returns
from livestock were up 30 percent and returns from crops, 41 percent.
Income in the last five months of this year is not expected to show as
large a percentage increase because income rose very rapidly in the
latter part of last year.
Farm Labor
Completing this year's harvest will require employment on farms by
October 1 of at least 750,000 more persons than the number employed on
August 1. In addition to family labor and hired workers, farmers will
need the help of many thousands of U.S. Crop Corps paid volunteers. The
War Food Administration, carrying on mobilization of these volunteers,
expects that Crop Corps workers can be recruited and placed in sufficient
numbers through local campaigns to meet the need.
Up to August 31, 57,853 foreign farm workers had been brought into
the United States. Of this total, 44,577 came from Mexico, 8,828 from
Jamaica, and 4,448 from the Bahama Islands.
Interstate movement of domestic seasonal workers during August
included the transportation of 3,191 workers from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and
Mississippi to the spring wheat harvest areas of North and South Dakota
and Montana, and 325 workers from Oklahoma to Wyoming to assist in har-
vesting hay. These workers were transported with the understanding that
25
they would be returned to their homes in September in time for cotton
picking. The August interstate movement brought to 4,970 the number
of workers transported since Public Law 45 went into effect on April 29,
1942. Previous to the enactment of this law, 8,165 domestic seasonal
workers were transported with financing from the President's Emergency
Fund.
Transportation
Arrangements have been made to import about million bushels more
grain from Canada by way of the Great Lakes during September than was
shipped in August. Arrangements have been made also for boats to ship
grain from western Canada to California for feed and to bring much
larger amounts of feed grains into western and central United States by
rail from Canadian prairie provinces.
The allocation of imports of molasses from the West Indies has been
stepped up from 9 million to 29 million gallons a month for use in the
production of alcohol, which will result in smaller amounts of grain being
used for this purpose.
Farm Machinery
Manufacturers are well started on the 1944 machinery production pro-
gram. Because of the increased volume of machinery production, it is
apparent that the distribution and rationing program will be simpler and
will apply to fewer items.
Distribution
To help maintain production of manufactured dairy products, including
butter, cheese, and evaporated milk, at levels sufficient to supply essen-
tial civilian requirements, a program has been prepared (for use in areas
where needed) under which expanding consumption of fluid milk and cream
can be arrested through a system of dealer quotas. Fluid milk consump-
tion, increasing now at the rate of approximately 1 percent a month, is
about 20 percent higher than in 1941.
It is expected that practically all of October butter production
will be available for civilian use and that no further "set-aside" will
be required until the normal seasonal increase in butter production in
the spring.
Nearly half of the 10 million pounds of early-season turkeys, sought
for shipment to our armed forces overseas, was obtained during the first
month the order requiring sales to the Government for this purpose was in
effect.
26
A total of 7,411 cars of early and intermediate crop Irish potatoes
were purchased up to August 27 to prevent waste and to provide growers
the fair returns assured them when the Government asked for increased
production. of the purchases made, 3,833 cars went to canners, 278 to
dehydrators, 1,017 to starch plants, 1,064 to state institutions and
welfare associations, 407 were resold in commercial channels, and 70
cars were exported.
More than 14 billion pounds of food and other agricultural commodi-
ties were delivered during July for shipment to allied fighting fronts,
the largest for any month since the beginning of Lend-Lease operations in
March 1941.
Scientific Achievements
Fertilizer technologists, working with manufacturers, have developed
a new method of handling ammonium nitrate now being manufactured in enor-
mous quantities for use in making high explosives. Considerable amounts
are available for fertilizer and still larger amounts will be available
after the war. The affinity of ammonium nitrate for water, however, has
made it difficult to handle. The new product, in the form of small par-
ticles coated first with oil and then with clay, does not absorb moisture
and become lumpy so as to clog fertilizer-distributing machinery.
27
X. ECONOMIC STABILIZATION PROGRAM
Maintenance of high level of consumer expenditures and recent successes
4
in holding the price line do not justify too much optimism on stabilisation
prospects, in view of existing pressures on prices and prospective depletion
of inventories. Growing concern, furthermore, over the lack of measures
with which to control excessive use of accumulated liquid funds in the
reconversion period is justified.
Prices-Cost-of-Living: With meat prices cut back by OPA and vegetables
seasonally lower, the cost of living for city workers dropped 0.8 percent from
mid-June to mid-July. Retail food prices, which declined by 2.0 percent dur-
ing this period, are expected to show a further decline of 0.5 to 1.0 percent
when August 15 figures become available.
Prices-Farm: Upturns in prices received by farmers for chickens, eggs,
cottonseed, dairy products and grains raised the general level of farm prices
5 points during the month ending August 15. This 2.6 percent rise more than
offset the decline in the preceding month and lifted the index to 117 percent
of parity, a new high point. Prices paid by farmers were unchanged.
Wages: Since October 1942, when Congress directed the President to stabilize
wages and salaries, wage-rate adjustments permitted by the War Labor Board
have increased average weekly earnings in manufacturing by not more than 0.8
percent. However, as a result of factors over which the War Labor Board has
no control-increases in the work week and in piecework earnings, increases
in overtime worked, shifts in the distribution of the labor force, etc.-
average weekly earnings in manufacturing had advanced 10.7 percent by May 1943.
Taxes: Observers think that Congress won't enact more than $4 to $5 billion
of taxes in a new revenue measure (assuming no sales tax) although it might
in addition enact a compulsory savings program if pressed by the administra-
tion. Tax committees are reported to be planning a tax simplification bill
to be taken up after regular revenue act, the principal object being the
elimination of 20 to 30 million individual income tax returns.
War Bonds: War savings bond sales in August totaled $802 million, the lowest
volume since November 1942. Redemptions reached an all-time high of $152 mil-
lion, 19 percent of sales as compared with 15 percent the previous month.
In its Third War Loan drive, which began September 9, the Treasury hopes to
sell $3 billion Series E savings bonds-double the amount sold in the Second
War Loan.
Rationing: Failure to divert milk supplies into fluid uses and failure to
stimulate increased production may require rationing of milk.
28
II. WAR FINANCES
Disbursements
Disbursements for war purposes for the first two months (16.7 per-
cent) of the year amounted to 14.2 percent of the $100 billion estimated
for fiscal year 1944.
May
June
July
August
Monthly rate
$7.373
$7.687
$6.746
$7.529
Adjusted annual rate
87.900
91.700
78.200
90.600
Appropriations
Appropriations, other Congressional authorizations, and commitments
of Government corporations for war purposes increased $180 million in
August to a total of $344 billion since June 30, 1940. Net disburse-
ments against this amounted to $124 billion.
Appropriations and Disbursements, F.Y. 1941 Thru August of F.Y. 1944
(Billions)
Appropriations & Authorizations
Disbursements
F.Y. 1941 Thru
F.Y.
1944
Total
F.Y. 1941 Thru
F.Y. 1943
August 1943
War
$126.649
$59.036
$185.685
$68.008
Navy
47.480
28.321
75.801
35.669
Maritime Commission
11.243
.013
11.256
4.393
Govt. corpns. (commit.)
19.910
.288
20.198
6.206
Other
26.411
9.799
36.210
10.014
Est. approp. required
beyond F.Y. 1944 for
completion of Navy
--
--
14.617
-
Total
$231.693
$97.457
$343.767
$124.290
29
XII. MANPOWER
Employment and Labor Supply
There was an increase of 900,000 in both the number of persons
employed and in the number in the labor force during July as a result of
the continued shift of students into the labor market with the close of
the school year. Employed persons totaled 54.3 million and the labor
force 55.5 million in July. No change is reported between June and July
in the 1.2 million unemployed. Since July 1942, employed persons increased
by 300,000 but the total labor force declined by 1.3 million.
Agricultural employment has been well maintained, or perhaps even
increased, between July 1942 and July 1943. Non-agricultural employment
is showing definite indications of having reached its peak, or even of
declining, when comparisons are made between corresponding months of 1942
and 1943.
During the past year, the male labor force has declined by 3.8 mil-
lion, but much of this slack has been absorbed by an increase in the
female labor force of 2.5 million.
Employed, Unemployed, and Total Labor Force
(In Millions)
July 1943
June 1943
July 1942
Employed
54.3
53.4
54.0
Unemployed
1.2
1.2
2.8
Total labor force
55.5
54.6
56.8
30
Labor Turnover and Absenteeiam
Labor turnover in manufacturing was somewhat higher in June 1943 than
in the previous month. All separations in June were at the rate of 7.04
per 100 employees, while the May rate was 6.57. Total accessions to manu-
facturing payrolls continued to outstrip separations with a June rate of
8.30. Information is not yet available to appraise the effect of WMC
stabilization programs upon labor turnover rates.
The rate of absenteeism as reported by important war industry plants
continued in June at approximately the same level as in recent months in
spite of increases in the numbers of women employed. The June rates for
manufacturing ranged from 2.7 percent for petroleum refining to 8.1 percent
for shipbuilding. Other manufacturing industries with rates in excess of
6.0 percent included tanks 6.1, firearms 6.4, ferrous foundries 6.4, air-
frames 7.2, aero-engines 6.1, and propellers 6.4. In bituminous coal
mining, the June rate was 8.1 in comparison with a May rate of 8.4 percent.
Hours and Earnings
Average weekly hours of employment in all manufacturing industries
were 45.2 in June 1943 and 45.3 in May. This slight decline was caused
partly by vacations in the durable goods industries which reported average
weekly hours of 46.8 in June and 47.0 in May. In the non-durable goods
industries, the general coal strike resulted in a drop in average weekly
hours to 28.1 in anthracite mines and to 28.3 in bituminous mines for June.
Other non-manufacturing industries reporting average weekly hours below 42
included telephone and telegraph 41.8, electric light and power 41.7,
general merchandising 37.5, and apparel 37.6.
31
Average hourly earnings in all manufacturing industries were up to
95.9 cents in June from 95.4 cents in May. Both durable and non-durable
goods contributed to this increase, with average earnings in durable goods
increasing from 105.0 cents per hour to 105.5 cents and in non-durable
goods from 79.7 to 80.4 cents. The aircraft engine and shipbuilding indus-
tries continued to show the highest average earnings at 126.5 and 125.3
cents per hour, respectively.
Strikes
Strike statistics are not now available for July through temporary
discontinuance of OWI-BLS arrangements for collection. It is expected
that the series will again be available for August, and it may be possible
to secure estimates for July.
32
XIII. ADMINISTRATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Highlights in the administrative developments of the month were:
1. Continued turmoil in the activities of civilian agencies
involved in foreign programs.
2. Continuing concentration of management upon the operating
problems within the War Production Board, the War Manpower
Commission, and the OPA.
3. Inaction within the War Food Administration in regard to
its increasingly acute problem of organization and manage-
ment.
Economic Operations in Liberated Areas
Meager progress has been shown by the Office of Foreign Economic
Operations in the State Department in its first three months. Two of
the total of eleven prospective area committees are operating and two
more have recently been formed. Recruitment of necessary coordinating
staff by the State Department has scarcely begun.
August witnessed new flareups of interagency rivalry and contro-
versy to the extent that no agreement has yet been reached on the type
of civilian agency set-up to replace AMGOT in Sicily, the first sub-
area. Lend-Lease and OFRRO still dispute what territories should be
allocated to each for distribution; OFRRO and the State Department are
in disagreement as to the control of the former's staff in the field;
OEW and OFRRO have not yet agreed on which is to carry on industrial
rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, a larger and far-reaching issue is rising among a
number of agencies, namely: Is the State Department to absorb all
foreign economic operations or will it restrict its operations to secur-
ing observance by other agencies of our foreign policies? The issue is
a burning one on the interagency front.
Office of Economic Warfare
The transfer of the foreign economic operations of RFC corporations
to the Office of Economic Warfare is proceeding slowly and painstakingly.
Much of the transfer of contracts and other detailed arrangements should
be completed by October 1.
Foreign Food Procurement
Foreign food development and procurement is daily becoming more
urgent. Not one major food directive has been given OEW by the War Food
Administration since the OEW establishment on July 15.
33
Underlying the present stymied conditions is & controversy between
CCC (War Food Administration) and OEW. In addition, the State Depart-
ment is delaying moves already begun, pending settlement of the juris-
dictional dispute.
Food Allocations
A proposal is current to increase the membership of the Combined
Food Board to include Canada and later, perhaps, several other food-
producing nations.
Meanwhile, the present two-way (British-American) organization is
working far from smoothly. On the one hand, the Secretary of Agricul-
ture and his OFAR staff are in the Combined Food Board. On the other
hand, the War Food Administrator and his WFA staff have national food
responsibility. The result is the lack of a continuous and consistent
American policy on national and international levels.
War Food Administration
The War Food Administration still lacks a general manager and has
postponed action upon its problem of organization and administration.
Rather widespread evidence points to (1) inadequate field organization,
(2) serious and probably growing non-compliance with food orders,
(3) uncertainty as to ability to handle peak production of various foods
as they are harvested, and (4) need for better arrangements for consistent
action by both WFA and OPA in food problems. Arrangements for foreign
food procurement continued to be unsatisfactory to both WFA and OEW; and
no stiffening of WFA policy in the direction of & more realistic review
of food requirements is visible.
War Production
The War Production Board continued to concentrate upon its operating
problems, and there were no dramatic developments. Increasing, although
still inadequate, attention was given to the matter of preparing the
Board to deal with the changing production problems growing out of the
progress of the war and the generally encouraging production of war
materials. WPB policies and operations promise to have even greater
influence upon the American economy and to be of more vital concern to
public welfare in the coming year than they have been in the past. The
Board is suffering an attrition in the number of its experienced and
responsible officials which, if unchecked, may impair its effectiveness.
The Office of War Mobilization gave continuing attention to stimu-
lating revision of requirements of claimant agencies along realistic
lines.
34
Manpower
It became clear during the month that manpower is the "short"
element in the economy. The War Manpower Commission carried forward
its decentralisation of operations into regional and field offices.
The harmonious correlation of manpower supply with production programs
loomed as a coming critical problem on the domestic front.
Price Control
Food prices eased, and the top management of OPA centered attention
upon internal policies and operating problems. Since the position of
general manager in the organization was filled, there has been a notable
improvement in operations. The problem of close and consistent coopera-
tion between OPA and WFA remains to be solved.
Transportation
Relationships between the ODT and the Division of Stockpiling and
Transportation of the War Production Board continued to be strained.
The issue involved is one of division of labor in the determination and
administration of transportation priorities.
Information
Steps were taken to make better use of the Deputy Directors of OWI.
They had been set up in OFF days to maintain contact with other agencies.
Under the new organization in the Domestic Branch, they will participate
more actively in supervising both the planning and execution of cam-
paigns.
The OWI also arranged to reestablish the Central Press Intelligence
Unit to furnish clippings for all Government agencies on approximately
the same scale as at the end of the 1943 fiscal year when the centralized
activity was abolished. The reorganized unit is scheduled to be in
operation shortly after September 1.
The regional planning units in Washington were pulled together into
three divisions to be responsible for (1) the United Kingdom and the
Middle East, where the problem is essentially one of information;
(2) enemy and occupied Europe, which is concerned principally with
propaganda warfare; and (3) the Pacific area, which is concerned with
both information and propaganda warfare.
35
XIV. CHARTS
1. Monthly Acceptances of Military Airplanes by Type
2. Monthly Aircraft Acceptances by Weight
3. Total Army Strength
4. Total Active Duty Strength of Navy, Marine Corps, and
Coast Guard
5. Construction Progress on Battleships and Aircraft
Carriers
6. Construction Progress on Aircraft Carriers, Escort
7. Construction Progress on Large and Heavy Cruisers
8. Construction Progress on Light Cruisers
9. Destroyers, Escort Vessels, and Submarines -- Construction
Program
10. Gains and Losses of Merchant Ocean Vessels Available to
the United Nations
11. Deliveries of Merchant Ships by U. S. Shipbuilders
12. Status of Basic War Commodities Program
13. Monthly War Disbursements on an Annual Basis
CHART I
MONTHLY ACCEPTANCES OF MILITARY AIRPLANES BY TYPE
NUMBER
15,000
LEGEND
TRAINER
OBSERVATION AND TRANSPORTS
FIGHTER
I a 2 ENGINE BOMBER
4 ENGINE BOMBER
TOTAL ALL TYPES
10,000
WPB SCHEDULE
B-L- NOV.1942
TOTAL ALL TYPES
JOINT AIRCRAFT COMMITTEE
WORKING SCHEDULE, W- 5
JULY 15,1943
5,000
o
#
F
.
A
.
/
a
A
5
o
N
o
/
F
M
A
M
-
,
A
5
o
.
D
1942
1943
SOURCE:WAR PRODUCTION BOARD
CHART 2
MONTHLY AIRCRAFT ACCEPTANCES BY WEIGHT
( INCLUDES SPARE AIRFRAME PARTS BUT EXCLUDES GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED
EQUIPMENT SUCH AS ENGINES, PROPELLERS, TURRETS, ETC.)
MILLIONS OF POUNDS
120
KEY
ESTIMATED
ACTUAL
100
80
60
40
20
o
. F M A M , a A $ o N o é F M A M . di A 5 o N o
1942
1943
TOTAL 292,000,000 POUNDS
TOTAL 911,000,000 POUNDS
CHART 3
TOTAL ARMY STRENGTH
MILLIONS OF MEN
10
8
7.2
6
4
2
ENLISTED MEN
AND
WARRANT OFFICERS
56
o
OFFICERS
J A 5 o " o / F M & M , a A 5 o N o a F M A M a J A 5 o N D , , - A M a J & 5 o N D
1940
1941
1942
1943
CHART 4
TOTAL ACTIVE DUTY STRENGTH
OF NAVY, MARINE CORPS AND COAST GUARD
OFFICERS, OFFICER CANDIDATES, ENLISTED PERSONNEL, a NURSES
THOUSANDS OF MEN
2,500
2,463
2,304
2,000
1,951
1,500
COAST GUARD
MARINE CORPS
1,000
500
NAVY
o
J A $ o N 0 J F M A M J J A 5 o N D J F M A M J J A SONOJFMAMJJASOND
1940
1941
1942
1943
CHART 5
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
ON BATTLESHIPS AND AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
JULY 1,1940 TO AUGUST 1, 1943
Estimated
TYPE AND NAME
Keel
PERCENT OF COMPLETION
Completion
Laid
Date
o
20
40
60
80
100
BATTLESHIPS
NORTH CAROLINA
10-27-17
7-31-41
WASHINGTON
0-14-28
7-31-41
SOUTH CAROLINA
7-15-39
3-20-42
INDIANA
11-20-29
4-30-42
MASSACHUSETTS
7-20-19
5-15-42
ALABAMA
2-1-40
8-16-42
IOWA
6-27-40
3-28-43
NEW JERSEY
9-16-40
6-30-43
MISSOURI
1-6-41
7-24-44
WISCONSIN
1-25-41
8-31-44
ILLINOIS
2-1-44
7-31-45
KENTUCKY
6-1-44
9-10-45
MONTANA
WORK SUSPENDED
OHIO
WORK SUSPENDED
MAINE
WORK SUSPENDED
NEW HAMPSHIRE
WORK SUSPENDED
LOUISIANA
WORK SUSPENDED
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
HORNET
9-25-39
10-20-41
ESSEX
4-28-41
12-30-42
YORKTOWN
12-1-41
4-15-43
INTREPIO
12-1-41
8-16-43
HORNET
1-1-12
12-1-43
FRANKLIN
12-7-42
1-1-44
TICONDEROGA
2-1-13
1-1-44
RANDOLPH
5-10-43
11-15-44
LEXINGTON
7-15-41
2-17-43
BUNKER HILL
9-15-41
5-24-43
WASP
3-18-42
12-14-43
HANCOCK
1-26-43
5.15.44
BENNINGTON
12-15-42
9-15-11
BOXER
9-15-13
1.1.15
INDEPENDENCE
1-14-43
7-75-13
PRINCETON
6-2-41
2-25-43
BELLEAU WOOD
9-11-41
3-31-43
COMPENS
11-17-41
5-28-43
MONTERCY
12-29-41
6-17-43
LANGLEY
4-11-42
4.74.13
CABOT
3-16-42
7.24.1)
BATAAN
8-31-42
11-10-43
SAN JACINTO
10-26-42
12-22-43
BON HOMME RICHARD
2-1-43
12-1-14
CROWN POINT
2-21-44
7.14.47
KEARSARGE
3-1-44
3-1-46
ORISKANY
5-1-11
4-1-48
REPRISAL
7.1.11
6-1-45
ANTIETAM
1.15.13
2-1-45
CV37
9-11-13
12-31-45
SHANGRI-LA
1-15-43
11-1-44
CV39
3-15-43
12-31-44
CV40
1.1.41
1.1.46
CV41
11-1-43
9-15-45
CV42
10-1-43
10-1-45
GV43
7-20-48
LEGEND
CV45
7-28-46
CV46
2- 1-46
PROGRESS LAST MONTH
CV47
7-1-46
PROGRESS PRIOR TO LAST MONTH
CHART 6
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS ON AIRCRAFT CARRIERS, ESCORT
JULY 1,1940 TO AUGUST 1,1943
NUMBER
PERCENT OF COMPLETION
o
20
40
60
80
100
10
20
30
40
50
60
CONTRACTS FOR " VESSELS AWARDED BY NAVY WITH NO
PROCEFES REPORTED.
70
80
90
" ADDITIONAL VERSILS REING CONSTRUCTED or CON-
VERTED BY THE MARITINE COMMISSION. PROGRESS ON
THESE " NOT REPORTED ON SAME BASES AS NAVY USES.
100
110
120
CHART 7
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
ON LARGE AND HEAVY CRUISERS
JULY 1,1940 TO AUGUST 1,1943
Estimated
Keel
PERCENT OF COMPLETION
TYPE AND NAME
Loid
Completion
Date
o
20
40
60
80
100
LARGE CRUISERS
ALASKA
(2-17-4)
" 1-44
GUAM
1-2-42
7-15-44
HAWAII
WORK SUSPENDED
PHILIPPINES
WORK SUSPENDED
PUERTO RICO
WORK SUSPENDED
SAMOA
WORK SUSPENDED
HEAVY CRUISERS
BALTIMORE
5-26-41
4-15-43
BOSTON
6-30-41
6-30-43
CANBERRA
9-3-41
0.10.17
QUINCY
10-9-41
11-10-13
PITTSBURGH
2-3-43
7.16.18
ST. PAUL
2-3-43
8-15-44
COLUMBUS
6-25-43
12-15-44
DES MOINES
5-27-43
2-1-45
OREGON CITY
2-1-49
6-1-45
ALBANY
2-15-44
6-15-45
ROCHESTER
7-70-44
7-15-45
NORTHAMPTON
7-10-14
1-1-45
CAMBRIDGE
1-15-11
8-15-45
CA127
9-1-45
KANSAS CITY
10-1-45
CA129
11-15-45
CAI30
2-1-43
12-15-44
CA131
4-12-43
12-28-44
CA132
4-14-43
2-15-45
CA133
9-1-13
6-1-45
CA134
6-1-44
3-1-46
LOS ANGELES
7-26-43
12-31-44
CHICAGO
7-26-43
2-1-45
CA137
3-15-44
10-31-45
CAISE
3-15-44
3-31-45
CA139
12-1-44
......
CA140
3-1-45
4-10-40
CA141
1-15-45
7-14-45
CA142
2-15-45
- 1-15
LEGEND
PROGRESS LAST MONTH
PROGRESS PRIOR TO LAST MONTH
CHART 8
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS ON LIGHT CRUISERS
JULY 1,1940 TO AUGUST 1, 1943
Estimated
Keel
PERCENT OF COMPLETION
TYPE AND NAME
Completion
Laid
Date
o
20
40
60
80
100
LIGHT CRUISERS
6000 TONS
ATLANTA
4-22-40
12-23-41
JUNEAU
5-27-40
7-11-42
SAN DIEGO
3-27-40
1-10-42
SAN JUAN
5-15-40
2-24-42
OAKLAND
7-14-41
7.17.11
RENO
to
11-1-42
FLINT
10-23-42
1.1.11
TUCSON
12-23-42
10-1-44
JUNEAU
12-1-43
6-1-45
SPOKANE
12-1-4)
7-1-45
FRESNO
2-1-48
-1-45
LIGHT CRUISERS
10,000 TONS
CLEVELAND
8-15-42
COLUMBIA
9-19-10
7-15-42
MONTPELIER
12-2-40
9-1-42
DENVER
12-26-40
10-13-42
SANTA FE
11-24-42
BIRMINCHAM
2-17-41
1-75-43
MOBILE
4-18-41
3-24-13
VINGENNES
1-7-42
12-71-43
PASADENA
2-6-43
4.1.14
SPRINGFIELD
2-13-43
---
TOPEKA
1.21.11
10-1-11
BILOXI
* 11.13
HOUSTON
...
12-11-43
PROVIDENCE
7.77.17
MANCHESTER
1.1.11
4.1.15
VICKSBURG
16+19+1,
5-1-44
DULUTH
11-3-42
8-1-44
MIAMI
11-1-43
ASTORIA
2-6-41
1-31-44
OKLAHOMA CITY
12.
10-15-44
LITTLE ROCK
12-31-44
GALVESTON
12-21-43
8-7-45
YOUNGSTOWN
11-1-45
AMSTERDAM
1.1.41
10-14-44
PORTSMOUTH
12-30-44
WILKES-BARRE
12-14-42
ATLANTA
1-25-43
8-15-44
DAYTON
1.1.13
9-15-44
FARGO
1-9-13
3-15-45
HUNTINGTON
9-18-43
4-15-45
NEWARK
1.1.41
7-1-41
NEW HAVEN
2-1-44
9-1-45
BUFFALO
3-1-11
10-1-45
WILMINGTON
7-1-44
1-1-46
CLIIZ
1-1-11 1-
2-1-46
CLIIS
9-15-44
4-1-46
CLII4
11-1-44
5-1-46
CLIIS
11.1.44
4-1-46
TALLAHASSEE
11-15-43
LEGEND
5-15-45
CHEYENNE
2-15-44
8-15-45
PROGRESS LAST MONTH
NORFOLK
4-15-14
10-15-45
PROGRESS PRIOR TO LAST MONTH
CL43
1-1-11
7-8-46
CL44
7.4.11
8-15-40
CL45
10-16-16
9-15-46
CL46
1.1.15
12-1-98
CL147
7-8-45
12-30-46
CLI48
11-14-19
7-1-48
CL149
2-8-45
10-1-46
CHART 9
DESTROYERS, ESCORT VESSELS AND SUBMARINES
CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM
AUGUST I, 1943
DESTROYERS
NUMBER
o
100,
200
300
400
500
TOTAL IN PROGRAM
458
COMPLETED SINCE JULY 1,1940
184
UNDER CONSTRUCTION, TOTAL
142
BY STAGES OF COMPLETION
80% 99%
22
60% 79%
19
40% 59%
20
20%- 39%
18
0%- 19%
63
CONTRACTS AWARDED, NO PROGRESS
132
AUTHORIZED, NO CONTRACT
o
ESCORT VESSELS
NUMBER
o
200
400
600
800
1000
TOTAL IN PROGRAM
1005
COMPLETED SINCE JULY ,1940
82
UNDER CONSTRUCTION, TOTAL
410
BY STAGES OF COMPLETION
80% - 99%
27
/
60% 79%
45
40% 59%
58
20% 39%
72
0%- 19%
208
CONTRACTS AWARDED,NO PROGRESS
513
AUTHORIZED, NO CONTRACT
o
SUBMARINES
NUMBER
o
100
200
300
400
TOTAL IN PROGRAM
346
COMPLETED SINCE JULY I, 1940
78
UNDER CONSTRUCTION, TOTAL
107
BY STAGES OF COMPLETION
80% 99%
16
60% 79%
12
40% 59%
14
20% 39%
16
0%- 19%
47
CONTRACTS AWARDED, NO PROGRESS
161
AUTHORIZED, NO CONTRACT
0
CHART 10
GAINS AND LOSSES OF MERCHANT OCEAN VESSELS
*
AVAILABLE TO THE UNITED NATIONS
MILLIONS
CUMULATIVE GAINS AND LOSSES SINCE DECEMBER 1, 1941
DEADWEIGHT TONS
50
40
30
24.2
20
16.8
10
LOSSES
GAINS
o
o
JFMAMJJASONDJ
F
M
A
M
J
a
A
$
o
N
0
A
,
M
A
M
J
J
A
5
o
N
o
1942
1943
1944
THOUSANDS
MONTHLY TOTALS-GAINS AND LOSSES
DEADWEIGHT TONS
2500
KEY
GAINS
2000
LOSSES
1500
1000
500
o
D J , M A M - , à 5 0 # o . F M à M J J A 5 0 # DJFMANJJASOND
1942
1943
1944
*
LOSSES ON NOTIFICATION BASIS
SOURCE WEEKLY REPORT OF THE COMBINED SHIPPING ADJUSTMENT BOARD
CHART =
DELIVERIES OF MERCHANT SHIPS BY U.S. SHIPBUILDERS
U.S. MARITIME COMMISSION - PRIVATE AND BRITISH ACCOUNTS
1. DRY CARGO VESSELS
NUMBER
( MAJOR TYPES)
ACTUAL TOTAL 655
TOTAL 1440
150
140
LEGEND
130
ACTUAL
SCHEDULED
120
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
o
J
F
M
A
=
J
J
A
5
o
N
o
,
F
M
A
=
J
4
A
5
o
N
D
1942
1943
2. TANKERS (MAJOR TYPES)
NUMBER
ACTUAL TOTAL 62
TOTAL 197
30
20
10
o
/
F
M
&
E
J
é
A
5
o
N
D
di
F
M
A
M
,
J
a
5
0
M
o
1942
1943
SOURCE: MARITIME COMMISSION- SCHEDULE REVISED 3-31-43
CHART 12
STATUS OF BASIC WAR COMMODITIES PROGRAM
SELECTED CRITICAL AND STRATEGIC MATERIALS
(PERCENTAGES BASED ON QUANTITIES IN RECOMMENDED PURCHASE PROGRAM)
AS OF AUGUST 15,1943
STATUS OF PROGRAM
RECOMMENDED
%UNDELIVERED
%ON HAND
COMMODITY
PURCHASING
PURCHASES
PROGRAM
% RELEASED
%NOT PURCHASED
o
20
40
60
so
100
104
ALCOHOL
125,000,000 GAL.
ANTIMONY
24,992ST.
CHROME ORE
1,950,000 L.T.
DIAMOND DIES
60,000 DIES
MANGANESE ORE
3,300,000 L.T.
MANILA FIBER
2,037,268 BALES
MERCURY
87,200 FLASKS
MICA
14,415 S.T.
NICKEL, Motte Content
15,000 S.T.
NITRATE OF SODA
2,100,000 S.T.
OPIUM
640,000 LBS.
QUARTZ CRYSTALS
2,099,270 LBS.
QUININE SULPHATE
12,450,000 AV.OZ.
*
RUBBER
1,900,000 L.T.
SILK
100,000 BALES
TIN, Refined
307,433 LT.
TUNGSTEN ORE
40,500 S.T.
ZINC CONCENTRATE
1,600,000 S.T.
ZINC METAL
160,000 S.T.
* LATEST PROGRAM RECOMMENDS PURCHASE OF ALL AVAILABLE
CHART 13
MONTHLY WAR DISBURSEMENTS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS
BILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR
100
KEY
NET RFC
AND
OTHER
NAVY
ARMY
80
60
40
20
o
,
A
$
o
.
D
,
,
E
A
M
,
J
a
5
o
N
o
di
F
M
A
E
4
1943
1944
FISCAL YEARS