WesWorld

Repository for Kriegsmarine data relating to the subject

In addition to the Government’s Strategische Material Reserve-Verwaltung (Strategic Materials Reserve Administration), that maintains a petroleum reserve for the national economy, the Kriegsmarine maintains and controls its own system of storage depots. These not only support on-going activities of the fleet but also form an immediate reserve to support fleet operations without drawing on the national petroleum reserve.

Where possible the tanks forming the naval petroleum reserve have been located underground and protected against bomb damage. Some have been equipped with heating coils to assure that the contents maintain their required viscosity. Supporting the depots are a network of pipelines and fueling points, complemented by barges and railway tank wagons under naval control.

Details of the Kriegsmarine’s fuel reserves have not been released but are estimated at two million tons, or approximately twelve months at normal consumption.