The Secret of Sherwood Forest: Oil Production in England During World War II

by Guy H. Woodward, Grace Steele Woodward

In August of 1942, Great Britain faced a desperate situation. German bombers hammered the nation’s industrial cities and towns daily, and the toll in loss of life and resources rose steadily. Guy H. Woodward and Grace Steele Woodward tell for the first time the story of how the British, with the aid of forty-four oilfield roughnecks from the United States, developed vital shallow pools of oil in Britain’s famed Sherwood Forest. The Secret of Sherwood Forest is based on extensive research using thousands of reports, letters, and documents released to the authors in 1968.

Genres: Nonfiction

286 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 1973

Reviews

[Blake Hiatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an "it must be true because I read it on the internet" email that detailed an unknown operation in which American roughnecks drilled a bunch of oil wells in the middle of the storied Sherwood Forest.

I decided to see if there was any validity to the email, and, much to my surprise, the email was accurate.

Unfortunately, the books is a bit on the expensive side, due to being out of print.

However, the prose is reminiscent of Rex Stout but rather than being a work of fiction, recounts the true story of American drilling oil wells in England.

Excellent and easy read.

[Julie Daneman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting story of something I had no idea happened during WWII.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book draws you back to the events and mindset of the middle of the 20th century. It’s the story of a group of American oil workers accepted the challenge to develop a small oil field in England during the darkest days of WWII.
These were men whose values were shaped by the Great Depression, and their loyalty and trust in their country, their company and to each other are inspiring. Justly they are called the Great Generation.
This book was published in 1973 and it’s dedicated “To the oil field “Roughnecks” who will follow the drill bit around the world that mankind may have a better, longer, and a more secure existence.” Half a century later the world sees not these contributions but demonizes this industry.
This is a well researched, non fiction book. At times I didn’t understand all of the technical terms, but the story will stay with me. Some of the details were vivid - the role of 100 octane fuel, the first impressions of the men to the bombed out cities, the desperate quest to get enough food for these men who were doing hard manual labor 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read about how oil drillers from Oklahoma went to England during World War II to help secretly drill for oil while staying hidden in the forests there.

Highly informative and well-written.