<P> All of the powers involved had learned from their experiences on the home front during World War I. Their success in mobilizing economic output was a major factor in supporting combat operations . Among morale - boosting activities that also benefited combat efforts, the home front engaged in a variety of scrap drives for materials crucial to the war effort such as metal, rubber, and rags . </P> <P> The major powers devoted 50--61 percent of their total GDP to munitions production . The Allies produced about three times as much in munitions as the Axis powers . </P> <Table> Munitions Production in World War II (Expenditures in billions of dollars, US 1944 munitions prices) <Tr> <Th> Country / Alliance </Th> <Th_colspan="7"> Year </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Average 1935 - 39 </Th> <Th> 1940 </Th> <Th> 1941 </Th> <Th> 1942 </Th> <Th> 1943 </Th> <Th> 1944 </Th> <Th> Total 1939--44 </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> U.S.A. </Td> <Td> 0.3 </Td> <Td> 1.5 </Td> <Td> 4.5 </Td> <Td> 20.0 </Td> <Td> 38.0 </Td> <Td> 42.0 </Td> <Td> 106.3 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Britain </Td> <Td> 0.5 </Td> <Td> 3.5 </Td> <Td> 6.5 </Td> <Td> 9.0 </Td> <Td> 11.0 </Td> <Td> 11.0 </Td> <Td> 41.5 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> U.S.S.R </Td> <Td> 1.6 </Td> <Td> 5.0 </Td> <Td> 8.5 </Td> <Td> 11.5 </Td> <Td> 14.0 </Td> <Td> 16.0 </Td> <Td> 56.6 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Allies Total </Td> <Td> 2.4 </Td> <Td> 10.0 </Td> <Td> 20.0 </Td> <Td> 41.5 </Td> <Td> 64.5 </Td> <Td> 70.5 </Td> <Td> 204.4 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Germany </Td> <Td> 2.4 </Td> <Td> 6.0 </Td> <Td> 6.0 </Td> <Td> 8.5 </Td> <Td> 13.5 </Td> <Td> 17.0 </Td> <Td> 53.4 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Japan </Td> <Td> 0.4 </Td> <Td> 1.0 </Td> <Td> 2.0 </Td> <Td> 3.0 </Td> <Td> 4.5 </Td> <Td> 6.0 </Td> <Td> 16.9 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Axis Total </Td> <Td> 2.8 </Td> <Td> 7.0 </Td> <Td> 8.0 </Td> <Td> 11.5 </Td> <Td> 18.0 </Td> <Td> 23.0 </Td> <Td> 70.3 </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Country / Alliance </Th> <Th_colspan="7"> Year </Th> </Tr>

Facts about the homefront in world war 2