What happens when roughnecks, derrickhands, and motormen leave the Oklahoma oilfields to fight a secret war in Sherwood Forest? No, it’s not the plot of a Hollywood blockbuster—it’s a true story of grit, innovation, and good ol’ American ingenuity that played a crucial role in the Allied victory of World War II. Buckle up as we spill the crude on one of history’s most fascinating petroleum-powered sagas.
Oil Crisis in Wartime Britain
By 1942, things were looking bleak for Britain. German U-boats prowled the Atlantic, sinking tankers and cutting off vital oil supplies. Britain’s reserves were running dangerously low—two million barrels below safety stock levels—and the future of the war effort depended on finding a solution fast. Enter Sherwood Forest, home not just to Robin Hood’s merry men but to a modest oilfield first discovered in 1939.
The problem? Britain lacked the equipment and expertise to ramp up production. The solution? Send an SOS across the Atlantic to the U.S., where oilmen knew how to “drill, baby, drill” with lightning speed.
Enter the Roughnecks
In September 1942, D’Arcy Exploration’s Phillip Southwell traveled to Ardmore, Oklahoma, with a top-secret request: help Britain pump more oil. After some convincing—and a Sunday morning visit to Lloyd Noble’s home while the man was still in his pajamas—two Oklahoma drilling companies, Noble Drilling and Fain-Porter Drilling, agreed to take on the mission. They wouldn’t make a dime; this was all about the war effort, patriotism, and the thrill of the challenge.
By March 1943, 42 American oilmen boarded the HMS Queen Elizabeth, bound for England. Their destination? The oilfields of Eakring and Dukes Wood, nestled in the heart of Sherwood Forest. Their mission? Drill 100 wells in one year to fuel Britain’s war machine.
Drilling at Warp Speed
Armed with four rigs and an unshakable determination, the Americans amazed their British counterparts by cranking out wells at impressive speed—one per week compared to the British pace of five weeks per well. By the time they wrapped up in March 1944, the “Yanks of Sherwood Forest” had drilled 106 wells and boosted daily oil production from 300 to over 3,000 barrels. That’s more than one million barrels of wartime crude added to Britain’s reserves.
Of course, it wasn’t all smooth drilling. Equipment shortages, fuel rationing, and wartime conditions tested the team’s mettle. Tragically, one crew member, derrickhand Herman Douthit, lost his life during the operation. He was laid to rest with full military honors at the Cambridge American Cemetery.
Remembering the Oil Patch Warriors
Despite their incredible contributions, the Roughnecks of Sherwood Forest slipped into historical obscurity until the 1973 publication of The Secret of Sherwood Forest by Guy and Grace Woodward. Today, two identical statues—one in Dukes Wood, England, and the other in Ardmore, Oklahoma—stand as tributes to these unsung heroes. Sculpted by Tulsa artist Jay O’Meilia, the “Oil Patch Warrior” features a roughneck at parade rest, gripping a Stillson wrench instead of a rifle.
Fun fact: Look closely at the statue’s pocket, and you’ll spot a pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes. Why? Because even during war, branding never takes a day off. 🚬
Why It Matters
The Roughnecks of Sherwood Forest weren’t just drilling oil—they were fueling victory. The petroleum they produced powered high-octane fighter planes, helped Allied forces outmaneuver Rommel in North Africa, and kept Britain in the fight when it mattered most.
A Final Toast to the Roughnecks
So here’s to the roughnecks, the derrickhands, and the oilfield warriors who traded their rigs for the frontlines of a secret war. Their story, like the black gold they pumped from Sherwood Forest, is pure, unrefined legend.
If you’re ever in Ardmore, Oklahoma, or Nottinghamshire, England, stop by one of the Oil Patch Warrior statues. Give them a nod. And maybe, just maybe, light up a Lucky Strike in their honor—because those roughnecks? They earned it.
P.S. If this story got your gears turning, dive into The Secret of Sherwood Forest: Oil Production in England During World War II. It’s a wild ride through one of history’s best-kept wartime secrets—and a testament to the power of petroleum ingenuity.
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