EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
WAR DIARY
FEBRUARY 1942
 
     
 
CHAPTER I
 
 
 
 
CHANGES IN FRONTIER BOUNDARIES AND ORGANIZATION
 
     
 
        On February 4, 1942 the boundaries of the North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier were enlarged as prescribed in the following dispatch:
 
     
 
  012355
   
From:    OpNav Cominch.
  To:        CSNCF, CNANCF, Coms Six, Seven.
   
               Transfer the Sixth Naval District from the Southern to the North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier, effective at 0600 GCT February 4. In accordance with my 292248, it is assumed that transfer of Nassau and Duval counties from the Seventh to the Sixth Naval District has been accomplished. Transfer of additional counties named in Com Six reference 302054, not approved. It is unnecessary that patrol areas be restricted to the Naval Coastal Frontier in which aircraft and vessels are based. The boundary between the Southern and North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontiers passes from the seaward end of the boundary between St. Johns and Duval Counties, southeastward to a point in Lat. 25 N; Long. 72 W. Com Seven is hereby appointed as Commander, Southern Naval Coastal Frontier effective February 4. Action and info addresses are to make necessary arrangements with local, civil, Army, and Coast Guard authorities. There will be no public announcement of the change in Naval Coastal Frontier Boundaries, but the Navy Department will make public announcement of the change in district boundaries.
 
     
  Three days after these changes had been made, the Secretary of the Navy in a dispatch of February 6, ordered that the North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier in the future would be known as the Eastern Sea Frontier. He further stated that "A Sea Frontier Commander, formerly Naval Coastal Frontier Commander, -- commands two forces (A) Sea Frontier Force comprising ships and aircraft duly allocated by Cominch, (B) Local Defense Forces comprising ships and aircraft duly allocated to the component naval districts by Chief of Naval Operations. As Commander of a Sea Frontier Force, the Commander of a Sea Frontier is under Cominch and in turn may have under him  
 
 
 
- 1 -
 
     
     

 

     
     
  as Task Force Commanders, the Commandants of component naval districts. As Commander of the Local Defense Forces, he is under the Chief of Naval Operations and in turn shall have under him as task force commanders, the Commandants of the component naval districts. Modified accordingly are the pertinent existing regulations, orders, and plans."  
 
 
          In addition to these changes of boundary and organization, two important additions to Frontier personnel were made in the past month. On February 14, 1942, Commander S. S. Bunting, USN., reported as Aide and Flag Secretary. The Flag Secretary's office was immediately organized and placed in operation. On February 19, Captain T. R. Kurtz, USN.(Ret.), reported and relieved Captain J. T. G. Stapler, USN.(Ret.), as Chief of Staff. Captain Stapler was assigned to duty as Operations Officer.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
- 2 -