Europe First 1941

FDR at inuaguration Jan. 20, 1941, photo from FDRL

B-19 Douglas "superbomber" wheel, from ILN 1941/02/08

Jan. 6 - Four Freedoms speech to Congress

• of speech, worship, from want, fear
  
• Brit could use "other assets" for Lend-Lease
  

Jan. 10 - HR1776 bill introduced in Congress

Jan. 20 - FDR's 3rd Inauguration

Jan. 31 - first U.S. troops arrive at St. Johns, Newfoundland

Mar. 11 - FDR signs Lend-Lease with 4 amendments:

• time limit of June 1943
  
• periodic reports to Congress
  
• consult with Army and Navy
  
• Navy not allowed to transport goods, but could convoy foreign ships
  

Mar. 30 - 65 Axis ships in U.S. taken into "protective custody"

Apr. 2 - FDR transfers 10 Coast Guard cutters to Brit. Navy

Apr. 3 - FDR transfers 25% Pacific fleet to Atlantic

Apr. 4 - FDR allows Brit. warships to be repaired in U.S.

Apr. 10 - Atlantic security zone extended west to 26th longitude

• includes Greenland and Azores
  
• US Navy to shift from convoys to patrols
  

Apr. 11 - USS "Niblack" drops 3 depth charges at Ger. sub

• begins undeclared naval war in the Atlantic
  

Apr. 24 - Stimson and Knox announce "observation patrols"

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