1. PLUTO was conceived in 1942 as part of the Operation Overload support programme to ensure adequate fuel to the troops as the allies fought back against the axis in Europe. The first part of the operation consisted of underwater pipelines from Shanklin and Sandown to the Cherburg landing grounds.

The point the pipeline left the Isle of Wight is marked with a brass plaque commemorating the event near to the former Shanklin Pier, which no longer  exists.

The line shown is the approximate route of the pipe, it is known to cross from Stoney Point to Thorness Bay and then across the island to Shanklin Chine and down along the sea front to the pier but the precise route is not currently available.

The pipe extended across the mainland from near Stone Point on to Fawley Refinery. There was another 1000 miles of pipe across the UK connecting to additional supply points where the fuel entered the system.

2. Operation Pluto consisted of a number of shore sections and multiple groups of pipelines, the section crossing to the island from Stoney point was codenamed 'SOHO', the Isle of Wight was codenamed 'BAMBI', the pipes across to the D-Day landings were codenamed 'WATSON' while further east along the coast Dungeness was codenamed 'DUMBO' and the pipes from there were codenamed 'DUMBO FAR'. 

Described by General Eisenhower as 'second only in daring to the Mulberry artificial harbours'

3. Most of the pipe was recovered within a few years after the end of the war but a section of the pipeline, in its original position, can be seen at Shanklin Chine