We all have seen movies or read books about the Marines and Naval military actions throughout the Pacific during WWII. But how did they get the aviation fuel for their planes, or the black oil for their carriers, or the torpedos for their submarines, or even the cans of beans for the troops?
I'm researching what are called advanced bases during WWII. These were the bases that the Seabees built on various small islands and atolls, from which Marine and Naval forces conducted their military operations. For example, PT-105 operated from an advanced base in the Solomon Islands and the Black Sheep Squadron under Pappy Boyington operated out of the advanced base on Espiritu Santo. There were Navy units called LIONs, CUBs and ACORNs that operated these advanced bases; but not much has been written about them. (My father served in CUB-12 in the Russell Islands which is why I'm interested in their operations.) I've asked this group in the past about records for LIONs, CUBs and ACORNs. There are some unit histories and other materials in the Seabee Museum and archives which I have reviewed.
But my question now has to do with getting supplies from the continental US to these advanced bases. For example: were the millions of gallons of fuel processed by US refineries from US oil fields; were the millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured solely in US factories: what kind of logistic train provided all these war supplies to the Pacific Theater; and under what government agency control?
My questions are broad and vague and not specifically associated with archive records but I'm hoping someone on the Hub can help define my area of interest and point me towards some reference materials.
