3 February 1941

Minesweeping trawler HMS Flotta launched.

Corvettes HMS Abelia and Violet commissioned.

Minesweeper HMS Blackpool commissioned.

GERMANY: The German battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau break out of the North Sea into the Atlantic under the command of Admiral Lutjens.

Berlin: The Army General Staff presents detailed plans to Hitler for Operation Barbarossa. Halder estimates that the Russians have about 155 Divisions; German strength is about the same but 'far superior in quality'. Hitler is convinced of Halder's plan and exclaims:

"When Barbarossa commences, the world will hold its breath and make no comment!"

Hitler outlines his main aim to be "to gain possession of the Baltic States and Leningrad", with the Ukraine in second place.

TERRITORY OF HAWAII: During routine exercises in the Hawaiian Operating Area off Oahu, destroyers USS Dale (DD-353) and USS Hull (DD-350) contact what they believe is a submarine. With all U.S. boats accounted for, Commander Destroyers Battle Force orders USS Lamson (DD-367) to join Dale and Hull. The ships are to maintain contact and to take offensive action only if attacked. USS Mahan (DD-364) joins in the 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, USS Lamson accordingly searches the shoreline east of Diamond Head.

U.S.A.: Washington: Secretary Morgenthau has testified to the House that "the British ceased buying aircraft, arms and other munitions a month ago because of lack of dollars."

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.
Jimmy Dorsey and his orchestra recorded the classic, "Amapola," on Decca Records. Helen O’Connell and Bob Eberly joined in a vocal duet on this very famous and popular song of the Big Band era.

The 29th Infantry Division is mobilised into Federal service and moved to Fort Meade. ( Nick Minecci )

At 0145, SS Empire Citizen, a straggler from Convoy OB-279, was torpedoed and sunk by U-107 SW of Iceland. The master, 64 crewmembers, one gunner and 12 passengers were lost. Four crewmembers and one gunner were picked up by corvette HMS Clarkia and landed at Londonderry.

At 2333, ocean boarding vessel HMS Crispin, dispersed from Convoy OB-279, was torpedoed and damaged by U-107 NNW of Rockall. The vessel foundered the following day in 56°52N/20°22W. The commander, 120 officers and ratings were picked up by HMS Harvester, the sole escort of the ship and landed at Liverpool.