Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Schlageter
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Looks like you didn't read the article yourself....
This implies (by the OP)that... yes the United States was shipping 100 octane fuel to Britain. I just implied that the US was shipping it to them not that we were the only supplier. I'm sure the History channel did their homework also... Oh wait isn't everything that we read on the internet true??
08-08-2009 07:02 PM #6
Glider
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7th Meeting of the Oil Committee 18th May 1940
This you will have seen before but I add it for completion. The use of the Fuel has been made clear to Fighter Command and the distribution of the fuel has gone well.
What is interesting is what isn't in the file and its a big file. At no stage is any concern expressed about any shortage of 100 Octane Fuel the level of stocks or any lack of supply. There was never any mention of capping distribution or shipping stocks from one station to another or sector.
There was concern that the USA might embargo the shipping of 100 Octane Fuel but other sources of fuel had been identified and as a back up 35,000 tons of 100 Octane was to be produced in the UK to see if we could supply it from our own resources. This was done but the plant (Billingham) went back to the processing of 87 Octane when the test was completed. Cost was the reason, it was more expensive to produce 100 Octane in the UK.
Cost was a theme in all discussions even to the point where the committee was deciding if a team of workers at one refinery should be paid a weeks overtime. I wish our current leaders were as keen to save money.