US Army and AIr Force Strength 1938-1941

Total US Army Air Force (Air Corps) Personnel

July 1, 1938 - 21,000
July 1, 1939 - 22,000
July 1, 1940 - 51,000
July 1, 1941 - 151, 000
Dec 7, 1941 - 300,000

Total US Army (excludes Air Corps) Personnel

July 1, 1938 - 161,000 + National Guard (Not inducted) : 200,000
July 1, 1939 - 161,000 + National Guard (Not inducted) : 200,000
July 1, 1940 - 240,000 + National Guard (Not inducted) : 200,000
July 1, 1941 - 1,310, 000
Dec 7, 1941 - 1,344,000

US War Department Expenditures Fiscal Year Ending:
June 30, 1936 - $340 million
June 30, 1937 - $381 million ($41 million increase)
June 30, 1938 - $432 million ($52 million increase)
June 30 1939 - $496 million ($64 million increase)
June 30 1940 - $669 million ($173 million increase)
June 30 1941 - $3,770 million ($3,017 million increase)
June 30, 1942 - $14,835 million ($11,065 million increase)

US Air Force (Air Corps) Modern Planes Available:

Sept 1939:
Heavy Bombers - 22
Light/Med Bombers - 0 (700 total all obsolete)
Modern Fighters - 0 (500 total - all obsolete)

December 1941
Heavy Bombers - 288
Light/Med Bombers - 1,100 (plus 400 obsolete)
Fighters - 1,600 (plus 500 obsolete)

July 1944
Heavy Bombers - 12,000
Light/Med Bombers - 8,500
Fighters - 15,800


Comparison:

September 1, 1939

RAF - 175,000 men and Luftwaffe 2,500 Combat planes and 300,000 men.

British Defense Expenditure Fiscal Year Ending 31 March

1938 $198 million pound sterling (20% total government spending)
1939 $254 million pound sterling (25% total government spending)
1940 $626 million pound sterling (45% total government spending)
1941 $3,220 million pound sterling (80% total government spending)