Quote:
Originally Posted by Glider
The question is, What changed between August and October? The reply is again very simple All operational Commands were Authorised to use 100 Octane in August. As the units in Bomber Command and Coastal Command switched over, so the proportion of 100 Octane increased.
|
Funny but the the August 1940 document you posted does not say this at all, that the authorization only effects Bomber Command and Coastal Command.
It says all operational aircraft. That includes Fighter Command, too. This whole 'other commands' is entirely your brainchild David, the paper simply does not use such term as 'other'.
I guess is rather plain and simple, in May 1940 select fighter units of Fighter Command which were 'concered' by the decision switched over to 100 octane, and in early August all operational aircraft of Fighter (etc.) Command(s) were
authorized to follow their example.
I guess the newborn optimism was fueled (getit?) by the fact that compared to the rather low stocks of reserves in the spring of 1940, the avgas stocks significantly increased by the summer as a result of shipments from the Middle East.
The fuel issue papers show that the process did not actually start until late September, by which time the great day fighter battles were over.