NORTH ATLANTIC
  
 
NAVAL COASTAL FRONTIER
WAR DIARY
JANUARY 1942
  
     
 
Chapter III
  
     
 
The Forces Available
  
     
          On January 1st. the Commander in Chief informed the Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier, that he fully realized the weakness of the forces assigned to the defense of the Frontier. "This condition", he continued, "is paralleled in all naval coastal frontiers. A review of the situation indicates that it will be inadvisable to detach any vessels from their present duty with the Fleets, at least until additional new construction destroyers have been commissioned and have joined." In effect this meant that the Frontier could expect few additional surface forces in the immediate future. The words of the Commander in Chief were borne out by the fact that during the month of January, though the number of vessels increased, there were never enough to fulfill even minimum requirements.  
     
          There was, however, a possibility that the weakness in the air might be fortified by reinforcements. On January 14th, before news of the sinking of the NORNESS had been received, Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier wrote Cominch that in view of the westward movement of the submarines "the necessity for at least one squadron of patrol planes cannot be overemphasized." Point was given to the words by the fact that "no effective planes" were attached to any of the Naval Districts or Operating Bases "capable of maintaining long range seaward patrol." The letter revealed the full extent of our weakness in the air. There were single patrols in unarmed Coast Guard amphibious or flying boats maintained from Salem, Floyd Bennett and Elizabeth City. Daily patrols from Lakehurst were carried out by two lighter-than-air ships. Unarmed, single motored Army planes, with only enough gasoline for  
 
 
     
 
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two or three hour flights patrolled forty miles to sea from Portland, Maine to Wilmington, North Carolina, while the First Bomber Command sent two flights a day 600 miles to sea from Westover, Mitchel and Langley Fields. That was the extent of the air coverage for the Frontier on January 14th.
  
 
 
 
        On the twenty-fifth of the month all of the coastal frontier commanders were informed that "Atlantic Fleet aircraft within limits your respective coastal frontiers hereby made available to you to assist actively in combating enemy sub actions." The availability of these planes was, however, severely qualified. It was stated that "this employment should be considered as an emergency measure and should not unduly interfere with scheduled operations of fleet aircraft, mainly those pertaining to escort of convoys."
  
 
 
          On the same day, January 25th, three utility planes were assigned to the airfield at Elizabeth City, the first additions to the small force of unarmed Coast Guard planes stationed there. The utilities were taken from the Atlantic Fleet pool. Elizabeth City was in a strategic position to fight the submarines operating off Hatteras and the need for additional forces there was obvious. On January 27, Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier endorsed a request from that base for twelve more planes to be stationed along the Atlantic Coast for patrolling coastal waters and anti-submarine warfare." Next day he attempted to provide for Elizabeth City in a different way. "it is understood," he wrote to the Chief of Naval Operations, "that there are approximately twenty PBY-5s belonging to the Royal Air Force now at Elizabeth City, N. C., and that due to lack of crews these aircraft are not all in transit. In view of the immediate demand for long range patrol planes --- it  
 
 
     
 
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is suggested that arrangements might possibly be made for temporary assignment for six of the PBY's at Elizabeth City until such time as suitable replacements can be furnished.
  
 
 
 
        Also on the twenty-eighth, Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier heard from Cominch in answer to his request of the 14th, for a squadron of patrol planes. "Shortage of patrol type aircraft for specific duty under Naval Coastal Frontier Commanders is recognized. Assignment of patrol planes in the Atlantic areas is dependent on future production which every effort is being made to expedite. Provision is made in the current aircraft program for patrol squadrons which will be allocated to the Naval Coastal Frontier Commands."
  
 
 
          Only the day before the Commander in Chief had heard from Cinclant that the request of Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier for additional planes, would have to be rejected. The shortage in the Fleet itself was so great, that only 30 PBY-5s had been made available to Cinclant up to that time.  
     
          Thus it was that January closed as it began with the warning that any increase in the forces assigned to the Frontier, would be "dependent on future production." Such words were indicative of the general plight of every command in all our armed forces; there were not planes or ships or trained men enough to go around. But a recognition of the weakness of out forces, unfortunately, had little to do with determining the size and nature of the warfare being carried on by submarines in our coastal waters. And reinforcements produced by future construction or provided for in current aircraft programs would not provide adequate protection for the merchant shipping that was being destroyed at the rate of almost one vessel a day as January ended.  
     
     
 
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