A substantial share of early American material did not head east toward Britain. Factories could send it by rail to the west coast and load it on neutral American ships bound for Australia. That route avoided the blocked Mediterranean and the long voyage around Africa. It reduced fuel, manpower, cost, danger, and demand on British merchant ships needed for contested passages. The example shows why transport geography mattered as much as the quantity of equipment authorized.
Notable Point · 34:17-35:47
Pacific routing saves British shipping for war-zone runs
American production, rail transport, and neutral Pacific carriage could supply Australia without tying up scarce British ships on a much longer route.