Quote:
Originally Posted by 41Sqn_Banks
Would indeed be nice to have all papers collected in one post.
I've only seen parts of 5th and 6th meeting, but it's not clear what "units concerned" means in the context. Does it mean the stations that should store only 100 octane (i.e. the Blenheim squadrons), or does it mean the stations that should receive 100 octane and keep one tank 87 octane? Are these all fighter stations with Hurricane and Spitfire or only some selected stations? The 5th meeting only specifies those stations with 100 octane only, but doesn't contain a list of the others. Maybe this list is in one of the earlier meetings.
Also we always see only the "summary" and I would expect that other pages describe the situation in more detail.
I have the feeling that the answer is within this papers.
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With regard to "units concerned" as per above. Having looked at the WWII classified secret file with the title "AVIATION FUEL (100 OCTANE) SUPPLIES", it can be seen that when read in context, the file is refering to the enclosure containing a letter dated 7th December 1939, ref: FC/S.15447/76/EQ.2, under cover of Air Vice-Marshal, Air Officer i/c Administration, Fighter Command, Royal Air Force.
This letter details the operational stations at which the 100 Octane fuel will be required "in the first instance". The letter also states that "all non-operational stations in the Fighter Command will also have to hold certain quantities of this fuel for visiting aircraft". The letter goes on to list the non-operational stations and stations which do not have Hurricane or Spitfire aircraft at the moment, that will need the fuel. The letter also mentions the need for "disposal instructions for varying quantities of D.T.D224 and other grades of petrol that will not be required in such large quantities on the introduction of 100 Octane fuel".
A letter later on in the file, dated 12th December 1939, can be seen to be responding to the AVM's letter, ref: F.C. 15447/76/E.Q.2, on behalf of the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, HQ Fighter Command. This letter says "I am directed to confirm that 100 Octane fuel is approved for use in Hurricane, Spitfire and Defiant aircraft, and state that issue will be made as soon as the fuel is available in bulk at the distribution depots serving the Fighter Satations concerned" (the ones listed in the AVM's letter dated 7th December 1939). This letter also says that "from an operational point of view it is essential that supplies in bulk at the distribution depots should be available before general use commences and that it is not possible to state a day on which 100 Octane fuel will come into use on all the approved stations" (the ones listed in the AVM's letter dated 7th December 1939). The letter goes on to say "the date on which the fuel may be brought into use depends upon the rapidity with which (a) supplies in bulk can be put down at distribution points, and (b) bulk storage could be made available at the relevant stations". The letter also says that "the Petroleum Board have been instructed that storage in bulk at certain distribution points is to be arranged with the least possible delay and tanks at these ponts are being "run down" to provide the necessary accomodatoin".
I think it is reasonable to consider that the term "with the least possible delay" means that 100 Octane fuel was was used in all Fighter Command approved aircraft, which has been given as Hurricane, Spitfire and Defiant, very soon after the letter dated 12 December 1939 from the office of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, HQ Fighter Command, RAF.
Talisman