by Rosen, Sue;
Bulk storage installations and most “A” Class Depots are staffed by Oil Company Officers. Some “A” Class and all “B” Class depots are staffed by Agents.
(b) Indirectly:
(i) “B” Class Depots: situated in the smaller towns throughout the country and numbering 946; stocks held mostly in drums or tins, and represent about one-eighth the aggregate capacity of “A” Class depots.
Staffed by contract agents for the Oil Companies - mostly country storekeepers and carriers.
The pump equipment is owned in most cases by the Oil Companies, but in some the agent is the owner.
(ii) Reseller tanks and drum and package resellers:
There are 4,537 licensed resellers in N.S.W. of whom about 4,000 have underground tanks and pump equipment, the balance dealing in drum and package sales only.
Of the total of 4,537 there are 1,738 in the Sydney-Newcastle metropolitan areas - and 700 along the remaining coastal strip.
The number of tanks per station ranges from one to fourteen - the number of service stations per centre is much the same.
The average tank capacity is 450 gallons (leaving 50 gals. ullage in 500 gal. tanks) but since resellers now have to pay cash, the average holding is now reduced to 100 gallons.
CONSUMERS’ STOCKS COMPRISE:
(i) Army and Airforce dumps.
(ii) Commercial or Industrial Users’ bowsers or dumps.
(Note: There are also 4,983 industrial pump holders in N.S.W.* of which 2,124 are in the Sydney-Newcastle Metropolitan areas and 406 along the rest of the coastal strip. Of the total of 2530 industrial pumps in the coastal area, about 406 are owned by consumers. Average pump capacity is 350 gallons.)
* exclusive lower Riverina, part Western Division etc.
(iii) Small gallonages held by Motor Vehicle Owners.
NATIONAL SECURITY REGULATIONS AND BIPOD:
BIPOD is the Army organisation for the “Bulk Issue of Petrol and Oil Distribution”. It will operate from the date of liquid fuel “mobilisation”. It will take over all “A” class depots in declared areas, enlisting staffs of five or a six men to each, and will service the fighting forces directly. The following is the general distribution of “A” depots:-
Port Stephens to Port Kembla - 40
North Coast - 18
South Coast - 3
PRINCIPLES:
2: The essential principles are:-
(a) The use of burning oil as the chief means of destruction.
(b) The use of explosives only when necessary and only as a last resource.
(c) Removal or breaking up of items of small equipment, if time permits.
BULK STORAGE INSTALLATIONS:
3: E. in C‘s. Techl. Instn. No. 4 makes Oil Companies responsible for information regarding plans and preparatory work, which must be submitted to Comds. L. of C. for approval. Arrangements have been made through the Army Oil Advisory Committee for Oil Companies to commence the work.
Co-operation between the Oil Companies and Military Authorities will be the liaison responsibility of N.S.W. L. of C. Area, which will also arrange for the training of key men in the installations and their enlistment in the V.D.C. and for the supply of explosives, demolition equipment and magazines as may be required.
The general plan for systematic denial is sub-divided as under:
Dense clouds of smoke rising from oil tanks hit during the first Japanese raid on Darwin, 19 February 1942.
(a) Bulk Petrol, Fuel Oil and Lub. Oil Storage:
This is in steel surface tanks of up to 2½ million gallons capacity with either fixed or floating roofs and sides encased in splinter-proof brickwork. The proposed methods of destruction in order of preference are:
(i) Ignition of the deliberately discharged content by stacks of inflammable material built in the compounds. These stacks should be protected from the weather and could be ignited by length of hemp rope saturated in kerosene. Alternatively firing may be by electrical methods, or by means of a Verey light pistol and cartridges.
(ii) Flooding floating roofs with water through foam system to sink them, in addition to lighting discharged contents.
In both cases compound bunds must be suitably breached, or channels or pipes from petrol tanks must be so provided so as to flow petrol or kerosene into the fuel and Lub. oils and thus assist their ignition. In lighting fires men should commence work “up wind”.
(b) Horizontal Elevated Gravity Tanks:
(i) Without explosives: Open all valves, dip-stick fittings, vents etc. and smash them as much as possible. Allow contents to discharge and be ignited. Arrange for a 2 in. valve at least for this purpose.
(ii) With explosives: Place length of 1½” dia. pipe containing 1 lb. of gelignite for each 100 cu. ft. of capacity down dip openings and ignite; remainder of pipe should be filled with sand. Tanks should be three parts full, otherwise use explosives outside.
(c) Stocks in drums and tins: (Also in “A” depots).
(i) When stocks are in stores, the buildings are to be compounded and flooded with petrol or kerosene. Provide stacks of inflammable materials which are to be ignited by electrical resistance coils and/ or length of hemp rope soaked in kerosene. At least two alternative firing methods to be used. 10% of the drums should be punctured.
(ii) In the case of Drum Stocks in the open: a sufficient number of graded channels are to be dug all over the storage area, and drums of kerosene placed at high ends to empty into channels when punctured. Stacks of inflammable materials surrounded by drums of petrol or kerosene to be suitably placed and ignited. Mix drums of fuel and lub. oil with drums of petrol in each stack beforehand.
(d) Ethyl Fluid Stocks: Drums of Ethyl are to be removed as first priority, or loaded on punts or barges and scuttled in deep water, or the contents poured out and allowed to soak into the ground.
(e) Fire extinguishing equipment: Destroy in following order: foam plants, power fire pumps, water mains, static water storage - smash this plant with heavy hammers, and where possible flood with petrol, and fire. Any floating roofs should be sunk by pumping water through the foam system before destruction.
(f) Pumping plants: Remove and destroy vital parts. Fire a charge of 2 lbs. of gelignite secured on outside of meter. Wreck switchboard etc.
(g) Workshop and Garage Equipment: Destroy machinery as directed under “The Industrial Code”.
(h) Petrol Waggons: Every endeavour should be made to retreat with a full load of fuel if ordered to do so by Military Authorities. If this is impossible, run contents to waste and puncture tanks: otherwise pack a charge of 2 to 3 lbs. gelignite around delivery outlet and ignite. The truck engine should be destroyed by smashing distributor and cylinder head with a heavy hammer. Demolition tools comprising heavy hammers, picks, drum spanners, etc. should be located at selected points. Explosive charges should be made up, in tubes or cartons and numbered to coincide with marked charges.
“A” CLASS DEPOTS:
4: Under E.T. 1941 Sec. 97 para. 2, quoted in E. in C’s. Techl. Instn. No. 4, the responsibility for demolition of “A” Class Depots rests with the A.A.S.C. which should request R.A.E. assistance if required. It is assumed that before the necessity for destroying “A” depots arises the area will have been declared “mobilized” and BIPOD will have taken over. Sufficient suitable pipe bombs as described in Appx. “Dl” of E. in C’s. Techl. Instn. No. 4 will be prepared immediately by L. of C. Engrs. and distributed to depots through BIPOD. HQ. N.S.W. L. of C. Area will arrange to select R.A.E. instructors and send them around depots to instruct staffs in placing and firing the charges. BIPOD is preparing a dem. plan for each depot which will give details of preparation and method of ordering execution.
When an area is declared “mobilized” POL stocks at “B” Depots will be taken over by BIPOD and transferred to nearest “A” Class Depot.
RESELLER TANKS:
5: The extent and distribution of these outfits makes total preparation impracticable and demoliti
on by explosive charges will be adopted only in coastal towns in the most vulnerable areas. A contaminating agent is being investigated for use in reseller tanks, as an additional method of denial, and if adopted will be distributed through BIPOD. Its effectiveness is limited and it should not be relied on solely.
Where explosives are to be used, the demolition is an R.A.E. responsibility which will be delegated to V.D.C. but N.S.W. L. of C. will, as required, assist in training detachments and arrange for the supply of necessary explosives and demolition equipment.
Sufficient portable watertight charges should be kept handy. These should consist of an 8 ft. length of 1½” dia. water pipe charged with 12 ozs. of gelignite for a 500 gallon tank nearly full. This should fill about 13 ins. of the pipe: remainder of pipe is filled (tamped) with dry sand. Increase quantity of explosive if tank is less full and proportionately for larger tanks. The charged pipe is lowered into the dip stick opening until it rests on tank bottom.
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL BOWSER TANKS:
6: Methods for denial of these are set out on page 5 of the Circular to Industries.
SMALL GALLONAGES HELD BY M.V. OWNERS:
7: Instructions regarding these are contained in Citizen Code.
23.11.’42.
By 1942 the Japanese were short of supply and transport ships. This shortage would be exacerbated if an invading force had to bring its own cars and trucks to Australia, as vehicles would displace weapons and ammunition in cargo holds. It was unlikely that the invaders could bring enough vehicles for all their needs. Depriving them of access to local vehicles was therefore a crucial part of scorched earth plans.
People living in coastal areas were urged to act immediately. Motor vehicle dealers were to offer their stocks to the Army—particularly tractors, which were urgently needed. Vehicles surplus to Army requirements were to be loaded with parts and tyres and dispersed to inland storage sites whose locations must be reported to police. Private owners in coastal regions were to send spare vehicles inland, using their own petrol rations to do so. Registered vehicles still in use were to be checked daily and kept topped up with fuel so they would be ready for use in an emergency—to help evacuate civilians or to transport Australian troops. Unregistered vehicles that could not be dispersed were to be dismantled. Their tyres and engine parts were to be packed up ready to be sent to a storage point or, in an emergency, destroyed. If vehicles had to be abandoned, their engines and vital parts were to be salvaged where possible for use by the Australian military. The vehicles were then to be driven off the road and completely immobilised or destroyed.
STATE WAR EFFORT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE. Scorched Earth Code (Industrial & Services.)
PRIORITY E - MOTOR_ TRANSPORT.
Military reason:
If the enemy can rely, as in Malaya, upon requisitioning local motor vehicles, his shipping will be relieved to concentrate upon munitions &c.
He must be forced to bring his own land transport, so as to intensify his shipping problems, and increase his vulnerability - or alternatively to go short of road transport in his operations in this country.
There must be the completest denial to him by us - and the completest plan of denial instantly decided and arranged now!
Denial Alternatives:
Denial may be effected by:
(i) Dispersal.
(ii) Immobilisation by partial dismantling.
(iii) Total destruction in the last resort.
Dispersal:
Once a district becomes the scene of military operations, dispersal will be impossible, and motor vehicles will be either impressed for Army use - or denied to the enemy by destruction.
Dispersal must be IMMEDIATE - or probably not at all!
(a) Motor Traders: The motor trade should at once disperse surplus stocks of new and secondhand vehicles, loaded with spare parts, tyres, and other essential materials - both locally and to inland stores.
Each dealer should ascertain whether the Army wishes to acquire any or all of his stocks, and on that basis, decide what is “surplus”.
First attention should be paid to recent year models.
(b) Private Owners: Privately owned vehicles, either registered or unregistered, which are not required for absolutely essential wartime work, should be similarly dispersed, if possible in the care of friends in inner districts.
(c) Petrol Rations for Dispersals: Owners will have to apply their ordinary ration tickets to dispersals.
In the case of unregistered vehicles or trade stocks, not entitled to ordinary ration tickets, application may be made to the Liquid Fuel Board for ration tickets sufficient to remove the vehicle to a stated place of storage, where the completion of transfer must be reported to the Police.
Subject to Army approval, the Liquid Fuel Board may grant such application.
In the event of special movements of motor vehicles from one area to another being required by the Army, the Liquid Fuel Board may also grant emergency ration tickets for such movement (Ref.41/M72/1316).
Immobilisation:
Traders, or owners of either registered or unregistered vehicles should plan forthwith for emergency immobilisation of any motor vehicle remaining in their care in any vulnerable or potentially vulnerable district.
Unregistered vehicles that are jacked up should be dismantled at once. Carburettors, distributors, spark-coils, spark plugs, batteries, generators, tools and tyres should be packed in a box and properly labelled. Each part should have its own label giving the name of the owner and the type and model of the car to which it belonged. The box should not be nailed up, however, until instructions are given as to where it should be sent for storage, as in an emergency it would be necessary to destroy some or all of the parts, in particular distributors at short notice.
Registered vehicles should be effectively serviced every evening, with petrol or charcoal at the full, so that they can be used at a moment’s notice in emergency. But at the same time the owners must plan to immobilise them at equally short notice if the situation requires and the Army so orders. Whatever salvage is possible should be done in the latter case but this must be subsidiary to complete denial to the enemy.
Salvage and Destruction before Abandonment:
All vehicles must be destroyed in the event of abandonment. This applies also to assembled motor vehicles in dealers’ or distributors’ stocks.
Drivers or users should make themselves acquainted beforehand with the given methods of destruction.
Outside the city of Sydney, each should carry an axe, suitable tools, and a bottle of inflammable liquid.
Before abandoning, the vehicle must be driven off the road out of the way - unless directed by a military officer to form part of a military obstruction.
If possible, prior to abandonment, the driver should salvage spare wheels, tyres, tools, batteries, spare parts, and transfer them to evacuation trains or motor vehicles, if any are permitted by the Army at the time of abandonment.
Otherwise, he must irrevocably immobilise or destroy the vehicle in the manner hereunder:
(Note: Denial of similar parts of every car is essential as the basic plan. This is to prevent the repair of some vehicles by collecting parts from others. The distributor must be removed from every car whatever other steps are taken to complete denial.)
(1) Motor Vehicles without Petrol:
Remove and destroy distributor housing complete.
Remove wheels, starting with spare - or slash or saw through tyres.
Remove batteries or smash with axe or hammer.
Smash cylinder head.
Break bottle of inflammable liquid or heap inflammable material over car; and ignite.
If removed parts and tools cannot be salvaged and transferred, hide, bury, smash and/or throw into the burning vehicles. If buried in safety, wrap in oily rag and place in a container if time permits.
(2) Motor Vehicles with Petrol:
Puncture radiator and sump.
Start en
gine and leave running at full speed, to seize engine.
Slash or saw tyres, and smash petrol tank and distributor after engine seizes.
Splash petrol inside the vehicle and ignite.
(3) Motor Vehicles on Producer Gas:
If producer is alight act as in (2) above.
If producer is cold act as in (1) and in addition smash mixing valve and hopper.
(4) Trailers:
Smash spokes.
Smash axle (including differential if any, and springs). Burn if possible.
(5) Tractors:
Tractors are indispensable for military works and are urgently required.
If not fully engaged on essential wartime production they should be made available to the Army now - or dispersed from the coastal areas. On no account must they be allowed to fall into enemy hands.
Destruction on approach of the enemy must be carried out - by one or other of the following methods:
(a) Drain sump and radiator, start the engine at full speed - then:
Puncture fuel tank, and ignite;
or:
(b) Remove the distributor housing complete and destroy - or wrap in an oil rag, place in a container and bury or hide in a place known only to the user and not discoverable by the enemy;
or:
(c) Drop a stick of gelignite into the sump and ignite;
or:
(d) Run over a cliff.
If not on essential work, tractors should be evacuated from coastal areas or handed over to the Military NOW.
(6) Motor tools and accessories:
Break, smash, cut, burn or otherwise destroy or throw into deep water (sea, river or lake), or bury in a well concealed place. Smashing of electrical equipment, especially distributors, is particularly important.
