Molly Ayala
During World War II, General Electric (GE) made significant contributions to the Allied war effort. GE Schenectady, for example, produced propulsion units for US Navy ships and the US Merchant Marine, and developed systems and components that improved the performance of many US planes. GE also developed technologies that protected soldiers and strategic locations, kept them fed, and allowed them to engage the enemy more effectively.
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What You'll Learn
Propulsion units for US Navy ships
During World War II, General Electric (GE) contributed significantly to the war effort through its innovations and technologies. While GE did not produce tanks, ships, or bombers, its development of systems, components, and devices enhanced the performance of these vehicles and played a crucial role in the Allied victory.
One of GE's most significant contributions was in the field of propulsion units for US Navy ships. GE Schenectady was at the forefront of this effort, producing propulsion units for the US Navy and the US Merchant Marine. The Navy had redesigned its fleet in the 1930s, and GE stepped up to create geared turbine drives for a new class of destroyers, which resulted in decreased fuel consumption. This technology was later adopted by battleships, cruisers, and other ships.
The US Merchant Marine, which was rebuilt starting in 1936, played a vital role in delivering oil to European allies during the war. GE Schenectady manufactured drives to power a new class of fast tankers that could keep pace with destroyer escorts, reducing their vulnerability to Nazi attacks and increasing the likelihood of successful oil deliveries.
GE also worked on every class of submarine built from 1935 until the end of the war, providing diesel-electric propulsion units and electrically-driven propellers that reduced fuel usage and enhanced performance. In total, GE contributed to 174 submarine units, amounting to 2/3 of all US submarines.
In addition to propulsion, GE made significant advancements in turbine propulsion and the construction of large motors. These engines were used for tanks and heavy vehicles, including those used by Navy Seabees for constructing landing strips in the Pacific. GE's expertise in propulsion technology extended beyond naval applications, as they also developed systems for improving the performance of US planes, such as autopilot systems and remote turret controls.
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Submarine diesel-electric propulsion
During World War II, General Electric (GE) contributed significantly to the war effort through its work on various systems, components, and technologies. One of their key contributions was in the area of submarine diesel-electric propulsion, which played a crucial role in enhancing the capabilities of submarines.
GE's involvement in submarine propulsion began in 1935 and continued until the end of the war, encompassing a total of 174 units, which accounted for 2/3 of all U.S. submarines. The company developed diesel-electric propulsion units for submarines, which offered higher performance and reduced fuel consumption. This technology was a significant advancement, as it allowed submarines to operate more efficiently and effectively underwater, increasing their range and endurance.
The diesel-electric propulsion system combined diesel engines for surface propulsion with electric motors for submerged operation. This design addressed the limitations of earlier submarines that relied on steam turbines or diesel engines that required oxygen for combustion, making them unsuitable for extended periods underwater. By using electric motors when submerged, submarines could operate independently of air supply constraints.
GE's diesel-electric propulsion units contributed to the overall improvement in submarine performance, including increased underwater speed, extended dive times, and enhanced manoeuvrability. This technology empowered submarines to become more versatile and deadly weapons in naval warfare.
The impact of GE's work extended beyond the direct application of diesel-electric propulsion units. Their expertise in propulsion technology also influenced the development of advanced submarines, such as the German Type XXI submarines during World War II. These submarines were designed to operate primarily submerged, utilizing improved hull designs, increased battery capacity, and streamlined conning towers. While only a handful of Type XXI submarines became combat-ready before the war's end, their design and capabilities represented a significant evolution in submarine warfare, shaping future submarine development programs.
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Aircraft systems and components
General Electric's contributions to aircraft systems and components during World War II were significant. While GE Schenectady did not build planes, it played a crucial role in developing systems and components that improved the performance of many US aircraft.
One of its notable contributions was the development of autopilot systems and remote turret controls. These innovations allowed pilots and crew to stay fresher, fly longer, and engage in combat more effectively. GE also designed heated flight suits and goggles for high-altitude planes, ensuring the success of critical missions like the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The B-29 Superfortress bomber, which played a pivotal role in these missions, relied heavily on GE's power supply systems and voltage regulators.
In addition to these advancements, GE's Fort Wayne plants manufactured motors and superchargers for aircraft. The company's expertise in propulsion technology extended beyond aircraft, as they also developed geared turbine drives for destroyers, battleships, cruisers, and other ships, reducing fuel consumption and increasing the fleet's overall performance.
GE's contributions to aircraft systems and components were diverse and instrumental to the Allied victory in World War II. The company's innovations enhanced the capabilities of US aircraft, ensuring their effectiveness in critical missions and contributing to the ultimate success of the Allied forces.
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Protective smoke generators
During World War II, smoke screens were commonly used to protect infantry and armoured fighting vehicles, such as tanks, from enemy line of sight. They were also used to cover the retreat of a ship, force, or convoy, and to shield them from gunfire.
General Electric's contribution to this tactic came in the form of the M1 smoke generator, developed by Nobel Prize winner Dr. Irving Langmuir in 1932. This device, also known as the Stationary Oil Smoke Generator, consisted of a sheet-iron pot about 2 feet in diameter and topped by a 3-foot-high smokestack. The pot held around 15 gallons of crude oil, which when ignited, produced a mixture of black carbon smoke and oil droplets that billowed out from the chimney. The volume of smoke produced was comparable to that of the M1 pot.
The M1 smoke generator was portable and could be used to cover facilities, troops, and even entire cities with smoke, protecting them from aerial assault. They were so effective that they were used to obscure the Panama Canal. During the war, these generators were organised into companies, with each company equipped with 3,600 oil smoke generators.
The use of smoke generators was not without its challenges. They were slow to respond compared to pyrotechnic sources and required valuable equipment to be sited at the point of smoke emission. They were also relatively heavy and not easily portable, which could be problematic if the wind shifted. To address this issue, they were either mounted on specially adapted vehicles or placed in fixed posts dispersed across the battlefield.
The first use of these generators was in North Africa, where they were employed in smoke defence rings around cities such as Oran, Algiers, and Bone. They were later used during the invasion of Sicily and played a crucial role in concealing the anchorage and unloading areas from the Germans at Paestum in Salerno Bay. The success of this operation led to the inclusion of a smoke unit in the forces assembled for the Anzio landing. In March 1944, mechanical generators created a protective haze between the town of Anzio and enemy lines.
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Lighting systems
During World War II, General Electric (GE) contributed significantly to the Allied war effort through various innovations in lighting systems and related technologies.
GE played a crucial role in developing and improving lighting systems for military bases and vehicles. They constructed hardened lamps and lighting equipment, ensuring reliable illumination for crucial operations. These lighting systems enhanced visibility and enabled troops to operate efficiently, especially in the confines of tanks, submarines, and bombers.
The company also created brighter searchlights that could track enemy planes in the sky, making them vulnerable to defensive emplacements. This advancement in lighting technology provided a strategic advantage to the Allies, allowing them to identify and engage enemy aircraft more effectively.
GE's work extended beyond lighting systems to include advancements in related technologies. They developed electrically heated suits for high-altitude planes, ensuring the comfort and safety of pilots and crew. Additionally, GE contributed to the development of autopilot systems and remote turret controls, enhancing the performance and endurance of U.S. planes during combat missions.
During this period, GE also made significant contributions to the U.S. Navy. They produced propulsion units, geared turbine drives, and electrically-driven propellers, improving the performance and fuel efficiency of ships and submarines. These innovations allowed the Navy to increase the success rate of oil deliveries to European allies during the war.
Overall, GE's innovations in lighting systems and related technologies played a pivotal role in the Allied war effort during World War II. Their contributions improved operational efficiency, protected strategic locations, and ultimately contributed to the Allied victory.
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Frequently asked questions
GE's key contribution to World War II was developing systems, components, and devices that improved the performance of many weapons and vehicles used by the Allied forces.
GE Schenectady developed propulsion units for US Navy ships and the US Merchant Marine. They also created electrically-driven propellers and diesel-electric propulsion units for submarines to lessen fuel usage and provide higher performance.
Yes, GE Schenectady developed systems and components to improve the performance of many US planes, including autopilot systems and remote turret controls. They also developed heated flight suits and goggles for high-altitude planes, which were crucial for missions like the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Yes, GE developed brighter searchlights that could track enemy planes, making them vulnerable to defensive emplacements. They also constructed new hardened lamps and lighting systems for bases and vehicles. Additionally, GE contributed to advances in communications technology.
No, in addition to their technological contributions, GE executives were tapped by the US government to run industrial bureaus during the war. For example, Phillip Reed, chairman of GE from 1940-1942, was selected as the Chief of the Bureau of Industries of the War Production Board.
