Digital Archive on Operations Research in World War II
By: Ashlee Liu & Rishika Gorai
Operations Research (OR) played a crucial role in the Allied victory during World War II by optimizing resource allocation, logistics, and strategic planning. Documenting these contributions highlights the historical and academic significance of OR. As Industrial Engineering and Operations Research majors, this topic aligns with our academic background and career aspirations, enabling us to apply our knowledge and skills effectively.
Our digital archive aims to show how OR significantly influenced World War II by improving military strategies and technologies. We highlight the following:
- Development and Utilization of Mathematical Models for War Simulations –
- Overview of how mathematical models, statistical methods, and computational techniques were developed during World War II for simulating combat scenarios
- Introduction to significant models like the Lanchester Models for predicting the outcomes of battles
- Examples of how these models were used in planning and executing military strategies, highlighting their successes and limitations
- Discussion on the legacy of these models and their influence on current military simulations and decision-making processes
- Resource Allocation and Production Planning for War Materials –
- Description of the resource allocation problems faced during the war, including balancing military/civilian needs and maximizing the use of limited radar equipment
- Explanation of resource allocation methods used to optimize the production and distribution of war materials
- Roles of key individuals and organizations in developing and implementing these methods
- Analysis of the effectiveness of these resource allocation strategies and their contribution to the war effort
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management in the Allied Invasion of Normandy (D-Day) –
- Overview of the logistical planning and execution for Operation Overlord, emphasizing the complexity and scale of the operation
- Innovations in supply chain management that ensured the steady flow of materials and resources to the front lines
- Challenges encountered during the operation and the solutions implemented to overcome them
- The role of logistics in the success of the Allied invasion and its impact on the overall outcome of World War II
- Role of OR in Military Strategy and Tactics –
- Definition of OR and its application in military contexts
- Major contributions of OR to military strategy and tactics during World War II, including convoy protection and resource management
- Detailed case studies showcasing successful applications of OR in wartime scenarios
- The lasting impact of wartime OR on both military and civilian sectors, and its evolution into a vital discipline in modern strategic planning
- Post-War Impact and Legacy –
- The principles and techniques of OR transitioning from military applications to civilian sectors, leveraging the problem-solving approaches developed during the war
- OR techniques adapted for business management, helping companies optimize their operations, improve decision-making processes, and enhance efficiency
- Displays of the benefits provided to the transportation sector from OR (techniques such as linear programming and network analysis were used to optimize routing, scheduling, and resource allocation for public transportation systems, airlines, and logistics companies)
- Applications in healthcare to manage delivery systems, and optimize resource utilization including scheduling surgeries, managing emergency room operations, and planning for large-scale health interventions
OR was crucial in World War II, offering insights into problem-solving in complex situations. Our digital archive will serve as a valuable resource for students and history enthusiasts, ensuring that the archive is accessible to a broad audience and provides learning value.
Utilizing detailed metadata to enhance searchability and usability, we will make it easier for researchers and enthusiasts to find specific documents and information regarding OR in World War II. By designing an intuitive and engaging UI/UX, we will facilitate easy navigation and interaction with the digital archive. We will also be leveraging modern web technologies (Omeka) to create a scalable and reliable digital archive. Lastly, we will incorporate crowdsourcing elements to allow users to contribute additional information, corrections, and interpretations, enriching the archive. To work through these elements, we hope to collect and analyze feedback from users regarding the archive’s usability, accessibility, and content relevance through surveys and user testing sessions. We will ensure that the metadata is thorough and accurate by conducting regular reviews and updates based on user contributions and expert consultations.
Sources:
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1968/may/operations-research-world-war-ii
https://www.theorsociety.com/about-or/history-of-or/
https://media.defense.gov/2023/Oct/19/2003323409/-1/-1/1/2023-MILITARY-AND-SECURITY-DEVELOPMENTS-INVOLVING-THE-PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA.PDF
https://www.dla.mil/About-DLA/News/News-Article-View/Article/682964/history-highlight-world-war-ii-logistics-lessons/
https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/abs/10.1287/opre.12.5.693
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/8/5/737
https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P5036-1.html
https://www.supplychainmovement.com/d-day-planning-and-eexcution-the-supply-chain-of-overlord/
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1968/may/operations-research-world-war-ii
https://www.jstor.org/stable/285727
https://sites.pitt.edu/~jrclass/or/or-intro.html
We have conducted most of our preliminary research using these sources and will further our knowledge by diving deeper into credible materials.