The Royal Navy had spent years stockpiling fuel for ships and also placed aviation fuel at bases needed by its own aircraft. RAF units later discovered useful stocks in locations that seemed unexpected from an air-force planning perspective. Those reserves were sized for naval aviation, not the full requirements of Bomber or Fighter Command. A late change in aviation-fuel octane further complicated the distinction between having fuel somewhere and having the correct grade where each command needed it.
Notable Point · 4:20:28-4:21:44
The Royal Navy stored aviation fuel where the RAF did not expect it
Prewar naval fuel planning covered Fleet Air Arm needs at overseas bases, but it did not automatically create stocks for the much larger Royal Air Force.