Oil, Strategy, And Survival: How Energy Security Determined The Course Of The Second World War – Analysis

A B-24 Liberator called Sandman during a bomb run over the Ploiești Astra Română refinery during Operation Tidal Wave. Photo Credit: 44th Bomb Group Photograph Collection, Wikipedia Commons

 June 3, 2025

By Syed Raiyan Amir

Energy security is not just a modern geopolitical issue; it has been a decisive factor in shaping global conflicts throughout history.

The Second World War (1939-1945), a conflict that involved nearly every major power and reshaped the world order, was no exception. From the control of oil fields to securing access to strategic raw materials, energy security played a critical role in determining the outcome of the war and the character of the military strategies employed by the belligerents. The strategic importance of energy resources—especially oil—shaped the course of battles, influenced diplomatic alliances, and even impacted the decision-making processes of military and political leaders.

The Strategic Importance of Oil: The Nexus Between Energy and Warfare

The Second World War marked the first large-scale conflict where oil and energy resources were not only a vital component of industrial production but also directly influenced military strategy. As Daniel Yergin discusses in his seminal work The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power (1991), oil was the “lifeblood” of modern warfare. Tanks, aircraft, naval vessels, and trucks—all the key components of mechanized warfare—depended on oil. The need for oil not only shaped the strategic outlook of the warring powers but also set the stage for some of the most critical battles and turning points of the war.

For Adolf Hitler’s Germany, securing energy resources was essential for continuing the war effort, especially after the early successes in Europe. By the time the war began, the Nazi regime had already identified the Soviet Union’s oil fields, particularly those in the Caucasus region, as a crucial prize. The seizure of the oil-rich areas was seen as vital to fuel Germany’s war machine. As historian Alan Clark writes in The Fall of the German Empire: The Collapse of the Third Reich (1982), “The drive to the east was more than an ideological mission; it was a battle for the control of oil fields, which would enable the Reich to sustain its war effort.”

Germany’s Strategic Imperative: The Caucasus Oil Fields and the Battle of Stalingrad

In the early years of the war, Hitler’s plans for global dominance included gaining control over the Soviet Union’s vast energy resources. The German military’s Operation Barbarossa, launched in June 1941, aimed to take Moscow, destroy the Soviet army, and secure the oil fields of the Caucasus. The Battle of Stalingrad, fought from 1942 to 1943, became the turning point in the war, both militarily and strategically. The German Sixth Army’s attempt to capture Stalingrad was part of a broader effort to secure access to the rich oil reserves of the Caspian Sea.

The importance of oil was emphasized by General Erich von Manstein, one of Hitler’s top military strategists, who acknowledged the necessity of seizing oil-rich regions to ensure Germany’s survival. According to David Stahel in Operation Barbarossa and Germany’s Defeat in the East (2009), the failure to capture Stalingrad and the subsequent defeat of the German forces were partly due to logistical difficulties, including inadequate fuel supplies. Germany’s inability to secure sufficient energy resources for its military operations contributed directly to the collapse of its Eastern Front.

The Battle of Stalingrad, thus, was not only a clash of ideologies but a pivotal moment where control over energy supplies—specifically oil—would determine the future of the war. The German failure to secure the oil resources from the Soviet Union marked a decisive blow to their war efforts, as their military machine ran low on fuel and became increasingly ineffective.

Japan’s Quest for Energy and Resources in the Pacific

While Germany focused on securing oil from the East, Japan sought to dominate the Pacific region to gain access to vital raw materials, particularly oil, rubber, and tin. Japan’s limited domestic energy resources, coupled with its reliance on imported oil from the United States and the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia), made energy security a critical issue. The embargoes placed by the United States and the United Kingdom in response to Japan’s expansionist policies in Asia severely crippled Japan’s access to energy, forcing the country to take drastic measures.

The Japanese decision to attack Pearl Harbor in December 1941 was not just about crippling the U.S. Pacific Fleet; it was also about securing the oil fields in Southeast Asia, which were critical to Japan’s war effort. As noted by historian John W. Dower in War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War (1986), Japan’s desire to seize control of the oil-rich territories of Southeast Asia was a primary motivation behind its military expansion. The Japanese believed that control over these resources would allow them to secure their dominance in the Pacific and sustain their war machine against Allied forces.

The oil fields in Borneo, Sumatra, and the Philippines were considered vital for Japan’s survival. According to Richard J. Samuels in Securing Japan: Tokyo’s Grand Strategy and the Future of East Asia (2007), Japan’s military strategy in the Pacific was deeply intertwined with the need to secure these energy resources, as they were indispensable for fueling Japan’s naval and air forces.

The Allied Response: The Strategic Bombing of Oil Refineries

The Allies understood the critical importance of oil to the Axis powers and sought to disrupt their access to these vital resources. One of the key strategies used by the Allies was the targeted bombing of oil refineries and supply lines. The bombing raids on German synthetic oil plants, particularly the attacks on the Ploiești oil fields in Romania, were designed to cripple Germany’s ability to produce and refine oil. According to historian Martin van Creveld in Supplying War: Logistics from Wallenstein to Patton (1977), the destruction of oil production facilities severely hampered Germany’s military operations, leading to a shortage of fuel for tanks, planes, and other mechanized units.

The Ploiești raids, though costly in terms of Allied lives and resources, demonstrated the pivotal role that oil played in the war. As Yergin notes, “Control of oil was not only about military supremacy; it was about economic survival and the ability to wage total war.” The targeting of energy infrastructure by the Allies was one of the defining features of World War II, as it emphasized the strategic significance of energy resources in modern warfare.

The United States and Its Role as the Arsenal of Democracy

By the time the United States entered the war in 1941, it had already established itself as the world’s preeminent oil producer. The U.S. had vast domestic reserves, and its energy security ensured that it could maintain a robust war effort without the same vulnerabilities faced by Germany and Japan. As historian David Kennedy explains in Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War (1999), the United States’ economic and military power during World War II was largely due to its control over energy resources.

The U.S. was able to fuel not only its own military forces but also provide oil and other resources to its allies through programs like Lend-Lease. The ability to supply energy to the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and other Allied powers helped to ensure the defeat of the Axis powers. This energy diplomacy underscored the importance of energy security in shaping the strategic decisions of the war.

Energy Security and the Post-War World Order

The importance of energy security during the Second World War laid the groundwork for the global energy order that emerged in the post-war period. The United States, with its vast energy resources, emerged as the world’s leading superpower, while the Soviet Union and other European powers were left to rebuild their war-torn economies.

The post-war era also saw the rise of new global energy institutions, such as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which would later play a pivotal role in shaping global energy markets and geopolitics. As Yergin notes in The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations (2020), the energy security issues that defined the Second World War continued to shape global power relations well into the 20th century and beyond.

Conclusion: Energy Security as a Driving Force of World War II

In conclusion, energy security was not merely a supporting factor in the Second World War—it was a driving force that shaped the character, course, and outcome of the conflict. From Germany’s failed attempts to secure Soviet oil fields to Japan’s quest for Southeast Asian resources and the Allied efforts to disrupt Axis energy supplies, the strategic importance of energy was undeniable. The war demonstrated that access to energy resources was as important as military strength and diplomatic alliances in determining the outcome of a global conflict.

As we look at the energy crises of the 21st century, the lessons of World War II remain relevant. Energy security continues to shape global politics, and the control of energy resources remains central to the strategies of great powers. The legacy of energy as a key factor in warfare and geopolitics, as highlighted by the Second World War, continues to influence international relations today.

References:

• Yergin, D. (1991). The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power. Free Press.
• Clark, A. (1982). The Fall of the German Empire: The Collapse of the Third Reich. Harper & Row.
• Stahel, D. (2009). Operation Barbarossa and Germany’s Defeat in the East. Cambridge University Press.
• Dower, J. W. (1986). War Without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War. Pantheon Books.
• Samuels, R. J. (2007). Securing Japan: Tokyo’s Grand Strategy and the Future of East Asia. Cornell University Press.
• van Creveld, M. (1977). Supplying War: Logistics from Wallenstein to Patton. Cambridge University Press.
• Kennedy, D. (1999). Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War. Oxford University Press.
• Yergin, D. (2020). The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations. Penguin Press.

Syed Raiyan Amir is a Senior Research Associate at The KRF Center for Bangladesh and Global Affairs (CBGA).