ABSTRACT

The distribution of oil resources over the world gives them, so they think, a chance to impede or even to stop the flow of oil from producing areas now under Allied control. As the pattern of the war unfolds more clearly it becomes increasingly evident that not only the Axis powers, but also the United Nations, are confronted with a formidable oil problem. As the Axis powers set out on their path of conquest and tried to solve their immediate oil problem by occupation of nearby oil producing countries such as Poland and Rumania, they deprived Allied and neutral states of a relatively small part of their former sources of supply. The most daring and surprising means will doubtless be used to attempt the destruction of some key installations or interruption of operations. Near and Middle East oilfields are the most suitable bases of supply for Allied possessions in Asia, Oceania, and East and South Africa.