Size of ARR

[Martyn R]

Firstly congratulations on an excellent website.

I would like to ask a question if possible? Was the size of ARR at the time of the invasion of the USSR in June 1941 as a result of the availability of equipment or trained pilots?

For example if more modern aircraft been available (either under licence or sold under favourable terms) could the ARR fielded a much larger airforce?

I am very interested in people's views and opinions of this subject.

[dragos]

Thanks and welcome to the forum!

On 22 June 1941, ARR had 621 aircraft in operative air units and 440 aircraft in training centers. From the total of 1,061 available aricraft, 850 were suitable for combat operations.

The personnel of ARR amounted on 22 June 1941 to 3,247 officers, 2,864 junior officers, 2,363 technicians, 1,044 civil functionaries and 52,074 troops, including the mobilized reservists. The flying personnel amounted to 1,947 men, of which 1,066 pilots, 386 observers, 129 radio operators, 83 cockpit technicians, 283 air gunners.

[Victor]

Read here: http://www.worldwar2.ro/arr/campaigns.htm

[Martyn R]

Thank you for the information.

I have one supplemental question(s)? If the German's had offered the ARR their choice of planes in 1940-41 what aircraft would they have taken i.e. ME109? Would they have simply replaced some of their older types of planes or could the ARR have expanded the size of the airforce beyond the numbers you have menioned?