The Far East plan treated Singapore as the fleet's theatre entry point while Australia held deep reserves that tankers could move forward. Dispersal placed fuel beyond the expected reach of an opening Japanese attack. Local stocks also reduced the tanker burden on American and British forces that otherwise had to move fuel across an ocean or from the Middle East. The reserves proved so extensive that Allied forces continued drawing on them throughout the war.
Chapter · 58:18-1:07:42
Australia's fuel depots in the Far East strategy
Huge Australian fuel reserves were designed as a protected rear stockpile feeding Singapore and later sustained Allied operations across the region.