In the Month of February 1941

US NAVY

1 February 1941, Saturday

UNITED STATES—Navy Department announces reorganization of U.S. Fleet, reviving old names Atlantic Fleet and Pacific Fleet; Asiatic Fleet remains unchanged.

            Marine Corps expansion occurs as the 1st and 2d Marine Brigades are brought up to division strength.

            Rear Admiral H. Fairfax Leary relieves Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel as Commander Cruisers Battle Force.

            Admiral Husband E. Kimmel relieves Admiral J.O. Richardson as Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet in battleship Pennsylvania (BB‑38) at Pearl Harbor, T.H.

            Vice Admiral Wilson Brown Jr. relieves Vice Admiral Adolphus Andrews as Commander Scouting Force.

            Rear Admiral John H. Newton relieves Rear Admiral Gilbert J. Rowcliff as Commander Cruisers Scouting Force.

ANTARCTICA—Auxiliary Bear (AG‑29) and Interior Department motorship North Star depart Bay of Whales; they will proceed via different routes to rendezvous off Adelaide Island to evacuate Antarctic Service's East Base (see 24 February).

3 February 1941, Monday

UNITED STATES—Navy Department General Order No. 143 creates three independent fleets, each commanded by an admiral. Admiral Husband E. Kimmel becomes Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet (and also Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet in the event that two or more fleets operate together); Patrol Force U.S. Fleet becomes U.S. Atlantic Fleet under command of Admiral Ernest J. King; Admiral Thomas C. Hart continues as Commander in Chief U.S. Asiatic Fleet.

PACIFIC—During routine exercises in Hawaiian Operating Area off Oahu, destroyers Dale (DD‑353) and Hull (DD‑350) contact what they believe is a submarine. With all U.S. boats accounted for, Commander Destroyers Battle Force orders Lamson (DD‑367) to join Dale and Hull. The ships are to maintain contact and to take offensive action only if attacked. Mahan (DD‑364) joins in search as well. With speculation that the only possible reason a submarine would be in those waters would be to obtain supplies or land agents, Lamson accordingly searches the shoreline east of Diamond Head (see 4 February).

4 February 1941, Tuesday

CARRIBEAN—Fleet Landing Exercise (FLEX) No. 7 begins in Culebra‑Vieques, Puerto Rico, area, with all available ships of the Atlantic Fleet and elements of the 1st Marine Division and the U.S. Army's First Division, to train "Army and Navy Forces in the amphibious operations incident to a Joint Overseas Expedition." Unlike FLEX No. 6 in 1940, bona fid transports are available for, and participate in, the maneuvers.

PACIFIC—Search for submarine off Oahu, begun the previous day, continues. After destroyers Dale (DD‑353) and Hull (DD‑350) return to Pearl Harbor, destroyers Flusser (DD‑368) and Drayton (DD‑366) join Lamson (DD‑367) in the hunt. Ultimately, however, the search is called off.

13 February 1941, Thursday

PACIFIC—Light cruisers Brooklyn (CL‑40), Philadelphia (CL‑41), and Savannah (CL‑42) and stores issue ship Antares (AKS 3) arrive at Midway with the remainder of the 3d Defense Battalion (Lieutenant Colonel Robert H. Pepper, USMC).

14 February 1941, Friday

CARRIBEAN—Fleet Landing Exercise No. 7, which had begun on 4 February, concludes in Culebra‑Vieques, Puerto Rico, area.

15 February 1941, Saturday

PACIFIC—Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, T.H., is established, Commander Harold M. Martin in command.

19 February 1941, Wednesday

UNITED STATES—Rear Admiral William P. Blandy relieves Rear Admiral William R. Furlong as Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance.

            Coast Guard Reserve is established.

21 February 1941, Friday

PACIFIC—Carrier Enterprise (CV‑6) arrives off Oahu and launches 30 USAAC P‑36s that will be based on Wheeler Field.

24 February 1941, Monday

ANTARCTICA—Auxiliary Bear (AG‑29) and Interior Department motorship North Star rendezvous off Adelaide Island to begin evacuation of East Base of U.S. Antarctic Service. Heavy pack‑ice south of this area, however, prevents the ships from reaching East Base. The two vessels retire north to Dallman Bay. The time spent in the Mechior Archipelago, however, is not unfruitful, as North Star's people conduct surveys, make soundings, and make a geological study of the island group, in addition to collecting further examples of flora and fauna. Bear, meanwhile, gets underway soon thereafter to attempt to find a way through the pack ice to reach East Base. She is unsuccessful. Amidst growing concern over whether or not a full or partial evacuation can take place since mid‑March, and the shortening of the polar days, is approaching, North Star, running short of supplies and fuel, is sent to Punta Arenas, Chile, to replenish and return if required (see 22 March).