Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:32:42-1:33:47

Far East cruisers used oilers and forward bases

Cruisers operating forward were expected to refuel from fast oilers or advanced bases such as Weihaiwei rather than commute to Singapore for every load.

Crown Colony Class CruisersFar EastFleet OilersForward Operating BasesTown Class Light Cruisers (1936)
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Question

Where were British cruisers expected to refuel during Far Eastern operations?

Short answer

From fast fleet oilers at sea or forward bases such as Weihaiwei, not by returning to Singapore each time.

Notes

A viewer asks how British cruisers with limited radius would be sustained in Far Eastern operations. The ships would use fast fleet oilers at sea or refuel from forward bases such as Weihaiwei. The question may also conflate the Town class with the Crown Colony class, and cruising speed strongly affects practical range. The exchange makes the forward-hub concept concrete at the level of an individual cruiser force.