Science Goes To War

MON 5 AUG 1940
Chief of Naval Operations establishes general ground rules to govern the exchange of scientific and technical information with the British mission under Sir Henry Tizard; arrival of the Tizard Mission begins the Anglo-American effort to jointly develop a wide range of weapons, sensors, and technical equipment during the war.

Lord Lothian, British Ambassador to the U.S., provides President Roosevelt with a note concerning the facilities which the British were prepared to "extend to the United States Government ..."

Rear Admiral John W. Greenslade and French Vice Admiral Georges A.M.J. Robert conclude agreement concerning status of Vichy French warships and aircraft in French West Indies. Ships in question are carrier Bearn, light cruiser Emile Bertin, training cruiser Jeanne d'Arc and auxiliary cruisers Esterelle, Quercy, and Barfleur; aircraft are 44 SBC-4s, 15 Hawk 75s (export version of USAAC P-36) and 6 Belgian Brewster fighters (export version of USN F2A) (see 2-3 November).

Heavy cruisers Wichita (CA-45) (Rear Admiral Andrew C. Pickens) and Quincy (CA-39) depart Bahia for Pernambuco, Brazil.