PLUTO, Secret Pipelines of WW II

Towed “Conundrums” spooled off steel pipe across the English Channel soon after D-Day.

 

Secret pipelines unwound from massive spools to reach French ports and transport vital oil across the English Channel after the June 6, 1944, D-Day landings.

Wartime planners knew that following the Normandy invasion, Allied forces would need vast quantities of petroleum to continue the advance into Europe.

Operation PLUTO logo with Disney cartoon dog.

The secret 1944 pipeline mission featured a popular Walt Disney character.

Allied leadership also knew that tankers trying to reach French ports would be vulnerable to Luftwaffe attacks. A secret plan looked to using new undersea pipeline technologies. (more…)

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