In the Month of March 1941

US NAVY

1 March 1941, Saturday

UNITED STATES—Support Force Atlantic Fleet (Rear Admiral Arthur L. Bristol) composed of destroyers and patrol plane squadrons and supporting auxiliaries is established for protection of convoys in North Atlantic.

EUROPE—Bulgaria joins the Axis as German troops occupy the country.

3 March 1941, Monday

PACIFIC—Heavy cruisers Chicago (CA‑29) (Rear Admiral John H. Newton, Commander Cruisers Scouting Force) and Portland(CA‑33), light cruisers Brooklyn (CL‑40) and Savannah (CL‑42), destroyers Clark (DD‑361), Conyngham (DD‑371),Cummings (DD‑365), Cassin (DD‑372), Case (DD‑370), Shaw (DD‑373), Tucker (DD‑374), Reid (DD‑369), and Downes (DD‑375), and oiler Sangamon (AO‑28), depart Pearl Harbor for Samoa (see 9 March 1941).

7 March 1941, Friday

ATLANTIC—Carrier Wasp (CV‑7) encounters foundering U.S. lumber schooner George E. Klinck in storm off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and rescues her crew.

PACIFIC—Transport William P. Biddle (AP‑15), escorted by light cruiser Concord (CL‑10), arrives at Pago Pago, Samoa, and disembarks the Seventh Defense Battalion, the first unit of the Fleet Marine Force deployed to the Southern Hemisphere in World War II.

9 March 1941, Sunday

PACIFIC—Heavy cruisers Chicago (CA‑29) (Rear Admiral John H. Newton, Commander Cruisers Scouting Force) and Portland (CA‑33), light cruisers Brooklyn (CL‑40) and Savannah (CL‑42), nine destroyers and oiler Sangamon (AO‑28), that had departed Pearl Harbor on 3 March arrive at Samoa (see 12 March).

10 March 1941, Monday

PACIFIC—Japan steps in to mediate undeclared war between France and Thailand; France cedes territory to Thailand and gives Japan monopoly of Indochinese rice crop and right to airfield at Saigon.

            Rear Admiral Edward J. Marquart is detached as Commander Minecraft Battle Force.

11 March 1941, Tuesday

UNITED STATES— Congress passes Lend‑Lease Act; "cash and carry" provisions of Neutrality Act of 1939 are changed to permit transfer of munitions to Allies. Although criticized by isolationists, the Act proves to be the primary means by which the United States will provide Great Britain, the USSR, and other belligerents with war material, food, and financial aid without the U.S. having to enter combat.

12 March 1941, Wednesday

PACIFIC—Heavy cruisers Chicago (CA‑29) (Rear Admiral John H. Newton, Commander Cruisers Scouting Force) and Portland (CA‑33), accompanied by destroyers Clark (DD‑361), Conyngham (DD‑371), Cassin (DD‑372), Downes (DD‑375), and Reid (DD‑369) depart Samoan waters for Sydney, Australia (see 20 March); Light cruisers Brooklyn (CL‑40) and Savannah (CL‑42), and destroyers Case (DD‑370), Shaw (DD‑373), Cummings for Auckland, New Zealand (see 17 March).

            Oiler Sangamon (AO‑28), that had accompanied the aforementioned cruisers and destroyers from Pearl Harbor, sails to return to Hawaiian waters.

UNITED STATES— Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas, is established.

15 March 1941, Saturday

US MARINE CORPS

UNITED STATES— The Fleet Marine Force is divided, with the 1st Marine Division at Quantico, Virginia, becoming part of the Atlantic Fleet and the 2d Marine Division at San Diego, California, becoming part of the Pacific Fleet

17 March 1941, Monday

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TG 9.2 (Captain Ellis S. Stone), comprising light cruiser Brooklyn (CL‑40) and Savannah (CL‑42) and destroyers Case (DD‑370) and Shaw (DD‑373), and Tucker (DD‑374), arrive at Auckland, New Zealand, beginning a three‑day goodwill visit (see 20 March).

ATLANTIC—Heavy cruiser Vincennes (CA‑44) arrives at Pernambuco, Brazil, en route to her ultimate destination of Simonstown, South Africa (see 20 March).

            Coast Guard cutter Cayuga departs Boston, Massachusetts, with South Greenland Survey Expedition, composed of State, Treasury, War, and Navy Department representatives, embarked. The expedition's mission is to locate sites of airfields, seaplane bases, radio and meteorological stations and aids to navigation on Greenland's soil (see 31 March).

18 March 1941, Tuesday

PACIFIC—Rear Admiral William R. Furlong breaks his flag as Commander Minecraft Battle Force.

19 March 1941, Wednesday

PACIFIC—Destroyers Aylwin (DD‑355) and Farragut (DD‑348) are damaged by collision during night tactical exercises in Hawaiian Operating Area, 23°35'N, 158°14'W. One man dies on board Aylwin.

20 March 1941, Thursday

PACIFIC—Heavy cruisers Chicago (CA‑29) (Rear Admiral John H. Newton, Commander Cruisers Scouting Force) and Portland (CA‑33) and destroyers Clark (DD‑361), Conyngham (DD‑371), Reid (DD‑369), Cassin (DD‑372) and Downes (DD‑375), arrive at Sydney, Australia, beginning a three‑day goodwill visit (see 23 March).

            TG 9.2 (Captain Ellis S. Stone), comprising light cruiser Brooklyn (CL‑40) and Savannah (CL‑42) and destroyers Case (DD‑370) and Shaw (DD‑373), and Tucker (DD‑374), concludes its port visit to Auckland, New Zealand and sails for Tahiti (see 25 March).

ATLANTIC—Heavy cruiser Vincennes (CA‑44) departs Pernambuco, Brazil, for Simonstown, South Africa (see 20 March).

22 March 1941, Saturday

ANTARCTIC—Emergency evacuation of East Base, U.S. Antarctic Service, Marguerite Bay, is carried out. Two R4C flights (Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate Ashley C. Snow and Radioman First Class Earl B. Perce, naval aviation pilots) bring out the entire complement of 24 people to Mikkelson Island, the emergency landing field 25 miles northeast of Adelaide Island, whence they are taken on board Bear (AG‑29), which soon sails for Punta Arenas, Chile, to rendezvous with Interior Department motorship North Star.

23 March 1941, Sunday

PACIFIC—Heavy cruisers Chicago (CA‑29) (Rear Admiral John H. Newton, Commander Cruisers Scouting Force) and Portland (CA‑33) and destroyers Clark (DD‑361), Conyngham (DD‑371), Reid (DD‑369), Cassin (DD‑372) and Downes (DD‑375), depart Sydney, Australia, for Brisbane (see 25 March).

25 March 1941, Tuesday

PACIFIC—Heavy cruisers Chicago (CA‑29) (Rear Admiral John H. Newton, Commander Cruisers Scouting Force) and Portland (CA‑33) and destroyers Clark (DD‑361), Conyngham (DD‑371), Reid (DD‑369), Cassin (DD‑372) and Downes (DD‑375), arrive at Brisbane, Australia, beginning a three‑day good‑will visit (see 28 March).

            TG 9.2 (Captain Ellis S. Stone), comprising light cruisers Brooklyn (CL‑40) and Savannah (CL‑42) and destroyers Case (DD‑370), Shaw (DD‑373) and Tucker (DD‑374), arrive at Tahiti.

27 March 1941, Thursday

ATLANTIC—U.S.‑British‑Canadian staff discussions in Washington end; ABC‑1 Staff Agreement embodies the basic strategic direction of the war in the event of U.S. entry, making the defeat of Germany a priority and establishing a Combined Chiefs of Staff. U.S. Atlantic Fleet is to help the Royal Navy convoy ships across the Atlantic. The agreement inextricably links the U.S. Navy in the effort against Germany.

PACIFIC—TG 9.2 (Captain Ellis S. Stone), comprising light cruisers Brooklyn (CL‑40) and Savannah (CL‑42) and destroyers Case (DD‑370), Shaw (DD‑373) and Tucker (DD‑374), depart Tahiti for Pearl Harbor.

28 March 1941, Friday

MEDITERRANEAN—British fleet defeats Italian fleet in Battle of Cape Matapan; three Italian heavy cruisers and two destroyers are sunk, and a battleship and a destroyer damaged.

PACIFIC—Heavy cruisers Chicago (CA‑29) (Rear Admiral John H. Newton, Commander Cruisers Scouting Force) and Portland (CA‑33) and destroyers Clark (DD‑361), Conyngham (DD‑371), Reid (DD‑369), Cassin (DD‑372) and Downes (DD‑375), depart Brisbane, Australia, for Suva, Fiji Islands (see 1 April).

29 March 1941, Saturday

ATLANTIC—Heavy cruiser Vincennes (CA‑44) arrives at Simonstown, South Africa (see 30 March).

            Coast Guard receives report that crew of Italian merchantman Villarperosa, interned at Wilmington, North Carolina, is sabotaging the ship. The Coast Guard investigates reports that the crews of Italian and German vessels in American ports had received orders to "sabotage and disable" them (see 30 March).

30 March 1941, Sunday

ATLANTIC—Heavy cruiser Vincennes (CA‑44) departs Simonstown, South Africa, for New York, with a cargo of gold for deposit in the United States (see 16 April).

            As the result of Coast Guard investigation of report that crew of Italian merchantman Villarperosa was sabotaging their ship, United States takes protective custody of two German, 26 Italian, and 35 Danish ships in American ports; Coast Guardsmen take over the vessels. Executive order consequently imprisons 850 Italian and 63 German officers and men.

PACIFIC—Element of the First Defense Battalion (5‑inch artillery, Detachment "A") arrives at Palmyra Island in stores issuing ship Antares (AKS‑3) to begin construction of defenses.

            Elements of the First Defense Battalion (5‑inch artillery, Detachment "B", and Machine Gun Battery, Detachment “A") arrive at Johnston Island in high speed minesweeper Boggs (DMS‑3) to begin construction of defenses.

31 March 1941, Monday

ATLANTIC—South Greenland Survey Expedition, in Coast Guard cutter Cayuga, arrives at Godthaab, Greenland, to take up its task.

 

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).

 

In the Month of January 1941

 US NAVY

3 January 1941, Friday

ATLANTIC—Heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa (CA‑37) departs Lisbon, Portugal, for Norfolk, Virginia, having transported Admiral William D. Leahy, USN (Retired), U.S. Ambassador to France, on the transatlantic leg of his journey to his diplomatic post.

5 January 1941, Sunday

ATLANTIC—Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) arrives at Simonstown, South Africa (see 6 January).

6 January 1941, Monday

ATLANTIC—Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) departs Simonstown for New York, having taken on board $148,342,212.55 in British gold for deposit in American banks (see 22 January).

7 January 1941, Tuesday

UNITED STATES—Office of Production Management is established under industrialist William S. Knudsen, labor leader Sidney Hillman, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox and Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson.

8 January 1941, Wednesday

FRANCE—Admiral William D. Leahy, USN (Retired) presents his credentials as Ambassador to France at Vichy.

9 January 1941, Thursday

PACIFIC—Transport William Ward Burrows (AP‑6) arrives at Wake Island with first increment of workmen (Contractors Pacific Naval Air Bases) to begin building a naval air station there.

10 January 1941, Friday

ANTARCTICA—Auxiliary Bear (AG‑29) returns to Bay of Whales, Antarctica, to evacuate West Base; the evacuation is under the supervision of Commander Richard H. Cruzen, second‑in‑command of the U.S. Antarctic Service.

MEDITERRANEAN—During air attack on British force off Malta, carrier HMS Illustrious is bombed and damaged by Luftwaffe JU 87s; Lieutenant Commander Frederick P. Hartman, U.S. Naval Observer on board, is consequently commended for gallantry in action.

11 January 1941, Saturday

PACIFIC—Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis relieves Captain Eugene T. Oates as Commandant, Sixteenth Naval District and Navy Yard, Cavite, P.I. Captain Oates had been acting commandant since the incapacitation of Rear Admiral John M. Smeallie in December 1940.

16 January 1941, Thursday

UNITED STATES—President asks Congress for immediate appropriation of $350 million for 200 new merchant ships.

17 January 1941, Friday

PACIFIC—Rear Admiral Thomas Withers relieves Rear Admiral Wilhelm L. Friedell as Commander Submarines Scouting Force, on board light cruiser Richmond (CL‑9) (force flagship) at Pearl Harbor, T.H.

            Battle of Koh Chang: Vichy French retaliate against Thai moves against Cambodia. French squadron (Rear Admiral Jules Terraux) consisting of light cruiser Lamotte‑Picquet, colonial sloops Amiral Charner and Dumont D'Urville and sloops Tahure and Marne, decisively defeats a Thai Navy force in a surface gunnery and torpedo action fought in the Gulf of Siam, sinking coast defense ship Dhonburi and torpedo boats Cholbury and Songkhla and damaging coast defense ship Sri Ayuthia and torpedo boat Trat in about two hours.

18 January 1941, Saturday

UNITED STATES—German Consul General in San Francisco, California, displays the prescribed German Reich flag from the consular office in recognition of German national holiday. At noon this day the flag is taken down in the presence of what is described as "a large shouting throng of people" and torn to pieces. German Chargé d'Affaires Hans Thomsen makes “most emphatic protest" over the incident (see 19 January and 25 June).

19 January 1941, Sunday

UNITED STATES—Secretary of State Cordell Hull responds to German Chargé d'Affaires Hans Thomsen's protest over the incident concerning the tearing down of the Reich flag over the consulate in San Francisco, promising a full investigation (see 25 June).

22 January 1941, Wednesday

UNITED STATES—Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) arrives at New York, with $148,342,212.55 in British gold brought from Simonstown, South Africa, to be deposited in American banks.

24 January 1941, Friday

ANTARCTICA—Interior Department motorship North Star arrives at Bay of Whales, Antarctica, to take part in evacuating West Base of U.S. Antarctic Service.

25 January 1941, Saturday

UNITED STATES—Keel of battleship Wisconsin (BB‑64) is laid at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. She will be the last battleship ever built by the U.S. Navy.

29 January 1941, Wednesday

UNITED STATES—U.S.‑British‑Canadian staff conversations begin in Washington to determine joint strategy in case of U.S. involvement in the war.

30 January 1941, Thursday

EUROPE—Germany announces that ships of any nationality bringing aid to Great Britain will be torpedoed.

31 January 1941, Friday

UNITED STATES—Vice Admiral William S. Pye relieves Admiral Charles P. Snyder as Commander Battle Force.

            Vice Admiral Walter S. Anderson becomes Commander Battleships Battle Force.

ANTARCTICA—West Base, U.S. Antarctic Service, is closed.

 

In the Month of November 1940

US NAVY

Friday, 1 November

            Atlantic Squadron (Rear Admiral Hayne Ellis) is renamed Patrol Force, U.S. Fleet

            Submarine Force, Scouting Force, ceases to exist; in its stead are two type commands: Submarines Scouting Force, Pacific Fleet, and Submarines, Atlantic Fleet. Rear Admiral Wilhelm L. Friedell becomes Commander Submarines, Scouting Force.

            Naval Air Station, Alameda, California, is established, Captain Frank R. McCrary in command.

            German auxiliary minelayer Passat completes laying mine barrage off Australian coast in Bass Strait (see 7‑8November).

Saturday, 2 November 1940

            Rear Admiral John W. Greenslade arrives in Fort‑de‑France, Martinique, to confer with Vice Admiral Georges A.M.J.

            Robert on the economic distress of Martinique and Guadeloupe, and the status of French warships and aircraft there (see 3 November).

Sunday, 3 November 1940

            Typhoon devastates Guam, M.I., rendering the U.S. Navy Yard at Piti a shambles, damaging the Marine Barracks, blowing away dwellings and poultry, destroying crops and completely disrupting the lives of the native farmers; it also reduces the Pan American Airways hotel to "kindling wood." In addition, one of the recently arrived district patrol craft (YP‑16 or YP‑17) is sunk; dredge YM‑13, being used to dredge a channel near Sumay, Guam, is blown ashore. Greek freighter Axios, in the harbor for repairs, parts her moorings at the height of the typhoon, and despite the fact that she possesses neither harbor chart nor pilot miraculously escapes foundering on nearby reefs. Governor of Guam (Captain George J. McMillin) later praises the people of the island for their "cheerful willingness and unremitting effort...to repair or replace their homes that reflected "character of which any group...might be proud."

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) departs Montevideo, Uruguay, for Buenos Aires, Argentina, as she continues to “show the flag" in Latin American waters.

            Rear Admiral John W. Greenslade departs Fort‑de‑France, Martinique, after concluding talks with Vice Admiral Georges A.M.J. Robert. Among Admiral Greenslade's recommendations: that every effort be made to alleviate the distress of the inhabitants by easing restrictions on frozen assets to allow for purchase of food, medical supplies and gasoline for automobiles and trucks; that the naval observer and U.S. vice consul maintain careful and complete liaison with Vice Admiral Robert; that a patrol plane make daily visits to Fort‑de‑France to improve communications and survey the situation from the air; and that the patrols off Martinique and Guadaloupe be continued.

            German freighter Helgoland, which had departed Colombian waters on 24 October, skirts the Antilles near St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, in her bid for freedom (see 30 November).

Monday, 4 November 1940

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) arrives at Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tuesday, 5 November 1940

            President Roosevelt, in his bid for a third term, defeats Republican challenger Wendell Willkie for the presidency.

Thursday, 7 November 1940

            British freighter Cambridge is sunk by mine (laid by German auxiliary minelayer Passat on 31 October‑1 November) off Wilson's Promontory, Australia (see 8'‑ November).

Friday, 8 November 1940

            Admiral Nomura Kichasaburo is appointed Japanese Ambassador to the United States.

            U.S. freighter City of Rayville is sunk by mine (laid by German auxiliary minelayer Passat on 31 October‑1November) east of Cape Otway, Bass Strait, Australia; City of Rayville is first U.S. merchant ship sunk in World War II. Third Engineer Mack B. Bryan, who drowns during the abandonment, is the first merchant marine casualty of World War II. The other 37 crewmen (one of whom is injured) reach safety at Apollo Bay.

Monday, 11 November 1940

            Twenty‑one FAA Swordfish TSR (torpedo spotting reconnaissance) planes, flown by 16 crews from carrier HMS Illustrious (No. 815 and No. 819 Squadrons) and five crews from HMS Eagle (No. 813 and No. 824 Squadrons), launched from Illustrious, begin night attack against Italian fleet at Taranto, Italy (Operation judgment) (see 12November).

Tuesday, 12 November 1940

            British attack (Operation judgment) against Italian fleet at Taranto concludes. At the cost of two Swordfish lost (one crew is captured), battleships Littorio and Caio Duilio are damaged and Conte de Cavour sunk; heavy cruiser Trento and destroyer Libeccio are hit by dud bombs. Battleships Vittorio Veneto, Andrea Doria, and Julio Cesare sail for Naples; heavy units of the Italian Fleet will not base at Taranto until May 1941. Word of the Taranto raid is received in the Navy Department with "great satisfaction." Secretary of the Navy Knox asks the Special Naval Observer in London, Rear Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, to "learn more details of how the attack was carried out, especially as to what extent aerial torpedoes were used." Knox tells Ghormley the successful operation "did not a little to promote a most optimistic attitude hereabouts." Littorio returns to service by 9 March 1941, Caio Duilio by 15 May 1941. Only Conte de Cavour is never again operational.

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) departs Buenos Aires, Argentina, for Santos, Brazil, as she continues her goodwill cruise in Latin American waters.

Wednesday, 13 November 1940

            Acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles, on the strength of a report that French battleships Richelieu (then at Dakar)and Jean Bart (then at Casablanca) were to be moved, perhaps to Toulon, France (within the German sphere of influence), requests the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in Spain, H. Freeman Matthews, to let the appropriate French authorities know that the U.S. government would be prepared to contemplate purchase of both capital ships if the French government were willing to dispose of them with the agreement that they would not be used in the present war(see 16, 18 and 22 November).

Friday, 15 November 1940

            Destroyer Plunkett (DD‑431), on Neutrality Patrol off Tampico, Mexico, observes German freighter Orinoco and tanker Phrygia making preparations for sea (see 16 December). Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) arrives at Santos, Brazil, as she continues her goodwill cruise in Latin American waters.

Saturday, 16 November 1940

            Destroyer McCormick (DD‑223), on Neutrality Patrol off Tampico, Mexico, foils attempt by German freighter Orinoco to make a break for European waters. Destroyer Plunkett (DD‑431), by her very presence, thwarts German tanker Phrygia's bid for freedom; Phrygia's crew scuttles her.

            In accordance with Acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles's request of 13 November, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim H. Freeman Matthews meets with Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain concerning the possible move of French battleships Richelieu and Jean Bart. Pétain assures the U.S. envoy that the two capital ships would be used to defend French territory and would never be used against the British. "Under present circumstances," Pétain informs Matthews, "I have neither the right nor the possibility of selling them" (see 18 and 22 November).

Sunday, 17 November 1940

            PBYs (VP 54) inaugurate flight operations from Bermuda; seaplane tender (destroyer) George E. Badger (AVD‑3) provides support.

Monday, 18 November 1940

            Acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles directs Chargé d'Affaires ad interim H. Freeman Matthews to communicate President Roosevelt's concern over the French battleships Richelieu and Jean Bart being moved to a port such as Toulon to Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain, and reiterate the United States' offer to acquire those two ships "as well as any other vessels of the French Navy" (see 21 November).

Wednesday, 20 November 1940

            Hungary joins the Axis.

Thursday, 21 November 1940

            Sixth and last group of ships involved in the destroyers‑for‑bases agreement‑‑Bailey (DD‑269), Meade (DD‑274), Shubrick (DD‑268), Swasey (DD‑273), Claxton (DD‑140), Fairfax (DD‑93), Robinson (DD‑88), Ringgold (DD‑89), Sigourney (DD‑81) and Tillman (DD‑135) ‑‑arrives at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Turnover of the last ten ships is under the charge of Commander Destroyer Squadron 33 (Captain Schuyler F. Heim) (see 26 November).

            Chargé d'Affaires ad interim H. Freeman Matthews meets with Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain concerning the French battleships Richelieu and Jean Bart; the French admiral responds immediately: "Then why not leave those vessels at Dakar and Casablanca where they now are? I shall keep them there and if there should be any change in this plan I will give you previous notice." This information, received in Washington on the morning of 22 November, is communicated through channels by the President to the "Former Naval Person" (Prime Minister Churchill) on the23rd.

Saturday, 23 November 1940

            Rumania joins the Axis.

            Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet (Admiral Thomas C. Hart) shifts his flag from heavy cruiser Augusta (CA‑31) to sistership Houston (CA‑30) at Manila, P.I. Augusta departs this day to proceed to the United States via waters north of the Hawaiian chain to investigate reports of Japanese tankers operating in the region.

Monday, 25 November 1940

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) departs Santos, Brazil, for Rio Grande du Sol, continuing her goodwill cruise in

            Latin American waters.

Tuesday, 26 November 1940

            Sixth and last group of ships involved in the destroyers‑for‑bases agreement are turned over to Royal Navy crews at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Bailey (DD‑269) becomes HMS Reading, Meade (DD‑274) becomes HMS Ramsey, Shubrick (DD‑268) becomes HMS Ripley, Swasey (DD‑273) becomes HMS Rockingham, Claxton (DD‑140) becomes HMS Salisbury, Fairfax (DD‑93) becomes HMS Richmond, Robinson (DD‑88) becomes HMS Newmarket, Ringgold (DD‑89) becomes HMS Newark, Sigourney (DD‑81) becomes HMS Newport and Tillman (DD‑135) becomes HMS Wells.

Wednesday, 27 November 1940

            Battle of Cape Spartivento: two U.S. Naval Observers, Lieutenant Commander A. Dayton Clark in British battlecruiser HMS Renown, and Lieutenant Commander Frederick P. Hartman in light cruiser HMS Southampton, witness the action that takes place between British and Italian forces off the coast of Sardinia.

Friday, 29 November 1940

            Destroyers Simpson (DD‑221) and Broome (DD‑210), on Neutrality Patrol off Tampico, Mexico, trail German freighters Idarwald (see 8 December) and Rhein (see 11 December) as the latter ships make a bid for freedom.

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) arrives Rio Grande du Sol, Brazil, as she continues her goodwill cruise in Latin American waters.

Saturday, 30 November 1940

            United States lends $50 million to China for currency stabilization and grants an additional $50 million credit for purchase of supplies.

            German freighter Helgoland, which has eluded the Neutrality Patrol, reaches St. Nazaire, France.

 

In the Month of December 1940

US NAVY

Sunday, 1 December 1940

            Headquarters for Alaskan units of Coast Guard is established at Ketchikan.

Tuesday, 3 December 1940

            President Roosevelt embarks in heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa (CA‑37) at Miami, Florida, to inspect base sites acquired from the British under the destroyers‑for‑bases agreement. During the cruise, he will broach the lend‑lease concept that he will implement upon his return to Washington (see 11 March 1941).

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) departs Rio Grande du Sol, Brazil, to pay a return call at Rio de Janeiro, as her goodwill cruise continues in Latin American waters.

Wednesday, 4 December 1940

            Admiral William D. Leahy, USN (Retired) tenders his resignation as Governor of Puerto Rico effective the following day (see 5 December).

Thursday, 5 December 1940

            Admiral Leahy takes oath of office as Ambassador to Vichy France (see 23 December).

            Seaplane tender (destroyer) George E. Badger (AVD‑3) runs aground in high winds off Hamilton, Bermuda, but is refloated without damage.

Friday, 6 December 1940

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) returns to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as she continues to "show the flag" in Latin American waters.

Sunday, 8 December 1940

            Destroyer Sturtevant (DD‑240) stands by while British light cruiser HMS Diomede intercepts German freighter Idarwald. Idarwald's crew, however, scuttles their ship near the Yucatan Channel to prevent her capture by the British.

Tuesday, 10 December 1940

            Naval Air Station, Tongue Point, Oregon, is established; although incomplete when placed in operation, it is being prepared for operation of patrol planes.

Wednesday, 11 December 1940

            German freighter Rhein, having been trailed by destroyer Simpson (DD‑221) and, later, MacLeish (DD‑220), is intercepted by Dutch destroyer leader Van Kinsbergen near the Florida Straits, and is scuttled by her own crew to avoid capture. MacLeish and McCormick (DD‑223) are present as the German ship's bid to escape fails.

Thursday, 12 December 1940

            Rear Admiral John M. Smeallie, Commandant Sixteenth Naval District and Commandant Cavite Navy Yard, is hospitalized at Caracao, P.I., after attempted suicide (see 27 December).

            Admiral Smeallie's worsening condition results in his being ordered to Naval Hospital, Mare Island, California, for further treatment, and ultimately to the naval hospital in Washington, D.C.

            Lord Lothian, British Ambassador to the United States, dies in Washington, D.C. President Roosevelt, at sea in heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa (CA‑37), sends telegram to King George VI of England expressing his regrets at Lord Lothian’s passing. "I am very certain," Roosevelt informs the King, "that if he had been allowed by Providence to leave us a last message, he would have told us that the greatest of all efforts to retain democracy in the world must and will succeed.

Sunday, 15 December 1940

            Headquarters, Eighth Naval District, closed at Charleston, South Carolina, and established at New Orleans, Louisiana; Captain Thaddeus A. Thomson, Jr., is Acting Commandant.

Monday, 16 December 1940

            Patrol Wing 10 is formed in Asiatic Fleet organization.

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) departs Rio de Janeiro, for Bahia, Brazil, as she continues her goodwill cruise in Latin American waters.

Tuesday, 17 December 1940

            Rear Admiral Ernest J. King relieves Rear Admiral Hayne Ellis as Commander Patrol Force, U.S. Fleet, on board battleship Texas (BB‑35).

Wednesday, 18 December 1940

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) arrives at Bahia, Brazil, as she continues to "show the flag" in Latin American waters.

Thursday, 19 December 1940

            Palmyra Island is placed under control of Secretary of the Navy.

Friday, 20 December 1940

            President Roosevelt names a four‑man defense board, to be headed by industrialist William A. Knudsen, to prepare defense measures and expedite aid to Great Britain.

Monday, 23 December 1940

            Admiral William D. Leahy (USN, Retired), newly appointed Ambassador to Vichy France, accompanied by his wife Louise, embarks in heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa (CA‑37) at Norfolk, Virginia, for the transatlantic passage to take up his diplomatic post "at a very critical time in the relations between the United States and France." Destroyers Madison (DD‑425) and Upshur (DD‑144) escort Tuscaloosa on the initial stage of her voyage.

            Naval Air Station, Key West, Florida, is established.

Friday, 27 December 1940

            Captain Eugene T. Oates assumes temporary duty as Commandant Sixteenth Naval District and Cavite Navy Yard (see11 January 1941).

Monday, 30 December 1940

            Heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa (CA‑37) arrives at Lisbon, Portugal, and disembarks Admiral and Mrs. Leahy, who will then proceed to Vichy via Madrid and Barcelona, Spain, and Montpellier, France (see 8 January 1941).

 

In the Month of October 1940

Tuesday, 1 October 1940

US NAVY

            Coast Guard cutter Campbell reports to Chief of Naval Operations for duty. She will then proceed to Lisbon, Portugal (see 18 and 22 October).

Wednesday, 2 October 1940

            Light cruiser St. Louis (CL‑49), with Greenslade Board embarked, arrives at Guantanamo Bay (see 19 October).

Saturday, 5 October 1940

            Secretary of the Navy Knox places all Organized Reserve divisions and aviation squadrons of the Organized Reserve on short notice for call to active duty and grants authority to call fleet reservists as necessary. Before this date, Naval Reserve personnel had been ordered to active duty on a voluntary basis only.

            Fourth group of ships involved in the destroyers‑for‑bases agreement‑‑Branch (DD‑197), Hunt (DD‑194), Mason (DD‑191), Satterlee (DD‑190), Laub (DD‑263), Aulick (DD‑258), Edwards (DD‑265) and McLanahan (DD‑264) ‑‑arrive at Halifax, Nova Scotia (see 6 October).

US MARINE CORPS

            Secretary of the Navy puts all organized Marine reserve ground units and aviation squadrons on short notice for call to active duty.

Sunday, 6 October 1940

US NAVY

            Fourth group of ships involved in the destroyers‑for‑bases agreement are turned over to Royal Navy crews at Halifax. Branch (DD‑197) becomes HMS Beverley, Hunt (DD‑194) becomes HMS Broadway, Mason (DD‑191) becomes HMS Broadwater, Satterlee (DD‑190) becomes HMS Belmont, Laub (DD‑263) becomes HMS Burwell, Aulick (DD‑258) becomes HMS Burnham, Edwards (DD‑265) becomes HMS Buxton, and McLanahan (DD‑264) becomes HMS Bradford.

Monday, 7 October 1940

            Admiral James O. Richardson arrives in Washington for conferences with the President and Navy and State Department officials concerning the retention of the U.S. Fleet in Hawaiian waters as a deterrent to Japan. He will depart to return to the fleet on 11 October (see 1 February 1941).

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) arrives at Recife, Brazil, as she begins her goodwill cruise to Latin American ports.

Tuesday, 8 October 1940

            Legislation approved authorizes the appointment to commissioned rank in the Line of the Regular Navy of those Naval Reserve officers who receive their commissions upon graduation from the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.

            United States advises American citizens to leave the Far East (see 14 October).

            Japan protests U.S. embargo on aviation gasoline and scrap metal.

US MARINE CORPS

            U. S. advises its citizens to leave Far East.

Thursday, 10 October 1940

US NAVY

            Auxiliary Bear (AG‑29) sails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the Antarctic.

Saturday, 12 October 1940

            Commander Atlantic Squadron (Rear Admiral Hayne Ellis), in destroyer Rhind (DD‑404) visits Port‑au‑Prince, Haiti. The timely goodwill visit came in the wake of an extensive cabinet shakeup by the Haitian president the previous day.

            Rear Admiral Ellis later wrote that Rhind's visit had a "very soothing effect on the minds of the people" in the Haitian port.

            Carrier Wasp (CV‑7), off the Virginia capes, launches 24 USAAC P‑40s and 9 O‑47s to gather data on comparative take‑off runs of naval and army aircraft. For the first time Army planes are flown off a Navy carrier.

Sunday, 13 October 1940

            Surveying ship Bowditch (AG‑30) arrives at Placentia Harbor, Newfoundland, to make hydrographic surveys, having transported army engineers who will make a shore requirements survey.

Monday, 14 October 1940

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) departs Recife, Brazil, for Rio de Janeiro, as she continues "showing the flag" in Latin American waters.

            Department of State announces that the U.S. passenger liners Monterey, Mariposa, and Washington are being sent to the Far East to repatriate American citizens from that region in view of prevailing "abnormal conditions" there. This move is made because of the shortage of accommodations on the ships already engaged in the Far East trade. Monterey is to go to Yokohama, Japan, and Shanghai, China; Mariposa will proceed to Shanghai and Chinwangtao, China, and Kobe, Japan.

Tuesday, 15 October 1940

            Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida is established, Captain Charles P. Mason in command.

Wednesday, 16 October 1940

            Sixteen million men register for the draft under Selective Training and Service Act.

            Fifth group of ships involved in the destroyers‑for‑ bases agreement‑‑Twiggs (DD‑127), Philip (DD‑76), Evans (DD‑78), Wickes (DD‑75), McCalla (DD‑253), Rodgers (DD‑170), Conner (DD‑72), Conway (DD‑70), Stockton (DD‑73) and Yarnall (DD‑143) ‑‑arrive at Halifax, Nova Scotia (see 23 October).

Friday, 18 October 1940

            Coast Guard cutter Campbell arrives at Lisbon, Portugal (see 22 October). Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) arrives at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as she continues "showing the flag" in Latin American waters.

Saturday, 19 October 1940

            Light cruiser St. Louis (CL‑49), with Greenslade Board embarked, departs Guantanamo Bay for San Juan, Puerto Rico (see 20 October).

Sunday, 20 October 1940

            Oiler Ramapo (AO‑12) delivers district patrol craft YP‑16 and YP‑17 at Apra Harbor to augment the local defenses at Guam.

            Light cruiser St. Louis (CL‑49), with Greenslade Board embarked, arrives at San Juan, Puerto Rico (see 21 October).

Monday, 21 October 1940

            Light cruiser St. Louis (CL‑49), with Greenslade Board embarked, departs San Juan for return visit to' Hamilton, Bermuda (see 24 October).

Tuesday, 22 October 1940

            Squadron 40‑T (Rear Admiral David M. LeBreton) is disbanded. Coast Guard cutter Campbell assumes "to a certain extent the duties previously performed by Squadron 40‑T.

Wednesday, 23 October 1940

            Japan gives one‑year notice of abrogation of North Pacific Sealing Convention of 1911.

            Fifth group of ships involved in the destroyers‑for‑bases agreement are turned over to Royal Navy crews at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Twiggs (DD‑127) becomes HMS Leamington, Philip (DD‑76) becomes HMS Lancaster, Evans (DD‑78) becomes HMS Mansfield, Wickes (DD‑75) becomes HMS Montgomery, McCalla (DD‑253) becomes HMS Stanley, Rodgers (DD‑170) becomes HMS Sherwood, Conner (DD‑72) becomes HMS Leeds, Conway (DD‑70) becomes HMS Lewes, Stockton (DD‑73) becomes HMS Ludlow, and Yarnall (DD‑143) becomes HMS Lincoln.

Thursday, 24 October 1940

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) departs Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for Montevideo, Uruguay, as she continues to "show the flag" in Latin American waters.

            Light cruiser St. Louis (CL‑49), with Greenslade Board embarked, arrives at Hamilton, Bermuda (see 25 October).

            German freighter Helgoland sails from Puerto Colombia, Colombia; despite the efforts of destroyers Bainbridge (DD‑246), Overton (DD‑239), and Sturtevant (DD‑240) to pursue her over the ensuing days, Helgoland will make good her attempt to escape the confines of the Caribbean (see 3 November and 30 November).

Friday, 25 October 1940

            Japanese naval land attack planes (13th Kokutai) raiding Chungking, China, follow a course that takes them directly over the U.S. Embassy and river gunboat Tutuila (PR‑4). Due to what is later explained as a malfunctioning release mechanism, Japanese bombs fall north, east, and west of the embassy and the gunboat, the nearest falling 300 yards away. In response to American protests, Japanese naval authorities will advise the air commander in the region "to take necessary steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents" (see 15 June and 30 July 1941).

            Light cruiser St. Louis (CL‑49), with Greenslade Board embarked, departs Hamilton, Bermuda, for Norfolk (see 27October).

Sunday, 27 October 1940

            Light cruiser St. Louis (CL‑49) arrives at Norfolk, thus winding up her mission transporting the Greenslade Board to evaluate base sites acquired from the British in exchange for the provision of destroyers.

Monday, 28 October 1940

            Italy invades Greece.

            Heavy cruiser Louisville (CA‑28) arrives at Montevideo, Uruguay, as she continues to "show the flag" in Latin American waters.

Wednesday, 30 October 1940

            Because of delay in the arrival of crews assigned to the last of the destroyers to be transferred to the Royal Navy, Commander Destroyers, Atlantic Squadron (Captain Ferdinand L. Reichmuth) departs Halifax, Nova Scotia, in destroyer tender Denebola (AD‑12). Destroyer Russell (DD‑414) accompanies the tender.

Thursday, 31 October 1940

            British forces occupy Crete in response to Italian invasion of Greece.

            German auxiliary minelayer Passat begins laying mines in Bass Strait, the body of water between Australia and Tasmania (see 1, 7, and 8 November).

            German freighter Rio Grande sails from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; she eludes the Neutrality Patrol and ultimately reaches Bordeaux, France, six weeks later.