The Prize, Chapter 18 Overview

The Prize, Chapter 18 Overview

The high/low rollercoaster relationship Japan had with oil characterizes their fortunes and misfortunes in World War II. Concerns over supply was a big driver to get them into war, but they quickly secured access and quantity and were riding high and feeling victory was imminent. We may not typically think of Asia as an oil source today, but we see how important that region’s reserves were for Japan. And when Japan brought America into the war, the first thing we thought to do was secure our supplies and interrupt theirs.

With the ever-tightening blockade on Japan by the submarines, “The shortage of liquid fuel was Japan’s Achilles' Heel.” Oil imports that had risen to their peak in the first quarter of 1943 had decreased by about half at the same time in 1944 and had completely disappeared/dried up by the same time in 1945. Desperate, Japan tried many forms of improvisations as the oil situation worsened. Industrial oil was made from soybeans, peanuts, coconuts, and castor beans. Potatoes, sugar, rice, and sake were even converted to alcohol to be used as fuel. By 1944, civilian gasoline consumption was down to 257,000 gallons, just 4% of the 1940 figure. Japan revived its 1937 synthetic fuel attempts, and in 1943, Japan’s synthetic fuel production amounted to 1 million barrels – only 8% of the target amount. Over half of this value was in Manchuria, which was useless in late 1944 and 1945 due to the blockade. Besides, synthetic fuel was a drain on resources, manpower, and management and was more of a liability than an asset.

The overall consequence of the oil shortage caused the naval strength of the Japanese fleet to be divided when it truly needed to be combined. Part of the fleet was based in Japan waiting for new aircraft and pilots, and the heavy battleships were stationed near Singapore closer to the East Indies supply. The shortage worsened in 1945, and navigation training for flight pilots was eliminated. Unfortunately, another solution for aviation fuel shortage was the introduction of the kamikaze pilots- as they only needed half the fuel of a normal mission!

While Japan’s condition continued to worsen, the Americans had an abundant fuel supply in the Pacific with huge floating bases made up of fuel barges, repair ships, tenders, tugs, floating docks, salvage ships, lighters, and store ships that gave the U.S. Navy long legs across the Pacific. This is indeed ironic in that the Pacific is home to Japan but incredibly far away for Americans!