NORTH ATLANTIC
  
 
NAVAL COASTAL FRONTIER
WAR DIARY
DECEMBER 1941
  
     
 
CHAPTER ONE
  
 
 
 
DECEMBER 7, 1941
  
 
 
 
1.
  
     
 

        In the early afternoon of December 7, word went out over New York radios that all officers attached to the North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier should report immediately for duty. (For an account of the development of Frontier plans and organization see Appendix 3.) Headquarters of the Frontier are in the Federal Building, 90 Church Street, New York City. On the 15th floor, Rear Admiral Adolphus Andrews, the Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier and Commandant, Third Naval District, has his office. In a large "L" shaped room on the floor below, on the west side of the building is the Headquarters of the North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier. This room, 32' x 90' in one direction and 20' x 40' in the other, is partitioned off along the walls to provide offices for members of the Commander's Staff. (See Floor Plan in Appendix 1.) The Staff on December 7, included:

  
 
   
Lieut. E. L. Jahncke, Jr., Flag Lieut. and Aide,
  Captain J. T. G. Stapler, USN (Ret.), Chief of Staff,
  Lieut.-Comdr. L. C. Farley, USNR, Operations,
  Lieut.-Comdr. P. P. Bassett, USNR, War Plans and Army Liaison,
  Lieut.-Comdr. F. W. Osburn, Jr., Routing,
  Lieut.-Comdr. R. G. Payne, USNR, Air,
  Lieut.(j.g.) R. H. Braue, Communications.
 
     
     
 
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2.
  
     
          The area for which the Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier assumed responsibility, that is the physical limits of the North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier, is defined as follows: (See Chart in Appendix 1.)  
     
          "1. All the territorial waters of the United States from the Canadian-United States boundary on the north to the southern boundary of Onslow County, North Carolina, on the south.  
     
          "2. The geographical limits of the North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier waters are as follows; these waters comprise the Coastal Zone:  
     
                  Northern: The International Boundary off West Quoddy Head to Gannet Rock Light (Lat. 44-30-35N; Long. 66-47W) excluding the territorial water of Grand Manan Island, thence to point FA at Lurcher Shoal Lightship (Lat. 44-18-17N; Long. 66-31-50W).  
     
                  Southern: From the intersection of Onslow County, North Carolina, with the coastline (Lat. 34-26N; Long. 77-31W) a line bearing 1020 true to point FE (Lat. 34 N; Long. 75W).  
     
                  Eastern: A line connecting points FA, FB, FC, FD, and FE coordinates of which are as follows:  
     
 
  FA    Lurcher Lightship.
FB    Lat. 43N; Long. 69W.
  FC    Lat. 40N; Long. 69W.
  FD    Lat. 39N; Long. 72W.
  FE     Lat. 34N; Long. 75W.
 
     
     
 
 
 
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3.
  
     
          Within the limits of the Frontier thus defined, the Commander has certain general responsibilities or tasks as described in Rainbow No. 5, WPL-46. He is charged with:  
     
 
  A. The Defense of the North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier.
B. The Protection and Routing of Shipping.
  C. The Support of the United States Fleet.
  D. The Support of the Army and associated forces within the Frontier
 
     
          These general tasks were further amplified and defined in operation plan NA-NCF Op-4, drawn up by the Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier shortly after he assumed command. This plan was based on a set of specific assumptions about the form and nature of possible enemy action. It was assumed that:  
     
 
  A. Small enemy surface raiding forces may penetrate the coastal zone, either as disguised merchantmen or men of war.
B. Minor raids by air may be conducted by ship borne aircraft using bombs, torpedoes, mines.
  C. Submarine activity may be expected with submarines operating against shipping with either torpedoes, mines, or gunfire.
  D. Effort may be made to penetrate harbors with small motor torpedo boats.
  E. Large scale attacks will probably not occur unless the enemy manages to obtain a base within operating distance of the Frontier.
   
 
          Such were the general tasks and the specific possibilities that confronted Commander, North Atlantic Naval Coastal Frontier on the day war broke out. Preparations that would enable the Frontier to perform the required task and meet the expected possibilities had been undertaken throughout the past nine months.  
     
     
 
 
 
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