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Cincpac File No A2-11/FF1-1 A3/A16/(0690) UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET U. S. S. PENNSYLVANIA, Flagship CONFIDENTIAL Pearl Harbor, T. H., April 30, 1941. PACIFIC FLEET LETTER NO. 4CL-41. From: Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific Fleet. To  : PACIFIC FLEET.   Subject: Task Forces - Organization and missions of.       1.     To provide for training of Task Forces for probable war operations and for inter-type training, the following Task Force Organizations are established effective on 1 June 1941: TASK FORCE ONE (COMMANDER, BATTLE FORCE) Batdivs 2, 3, 4 9 BB SARATOGA 1 CV Crudivs 3, 9 5 CL, 2 OCL Desflot 1 less Desron 5 1 OCL, 7DL, 20 DD Primary Mission:               To organize, train, and continue development of doctrine and tactics for operations of, and in the vicinity of, the Main Body; to keep up-to-date normal arrangements and current plans for such operations; and to accumulate and maintain in readiness for war all essential material required by the task force in order to provide an efficient Covering Force available for supporting operations of other forces; or for engagement, with or without support, in fleet action. TASK FORCE TWO (COMMANDER AIRCRAFT, BATTLE FORCE) Batdiv 1 3 BB Cardiv 2 2 CV Crudivs 5, 8 4 CA, 4 CL Desflot 2 less Desron 4 and Desdiv 50 1 OCL, 2 DL, 16 DD. Primary Mission: To organize, train, and develop doctrine and tactics for reconnoitering and raiding, with air or surface units, enemy objectives, particularly those on land; to keep up-to-date normal arrangements and plans for such operations; to accumulate and maintain in readiness for war all essential material required by the task force in order to provide an efficient Reconnoitering and Raiding Force for testing the strength of enemy communication lines and positions and for making forays against the enemy, and for operations in conjunction with other forces. TASK FORCE THREE (COMMANDER, SCOUTING FORCE) Crudivs 4, 6 8 CA Cardiv 1 less SARATOGA plus Second Marine   Aircraft Group 1 CV Desrons 4, 5 2 DL, 16 DD Subdiv 15 5 SS Minron 3 less Mindivs 5, 6 5 DMS

Transports, Base Force 6 AP, 4 APD Patwing 2 less Patrons 22, 24, 25, 26 24 VP (VP = patrol airplanes) Second Marine Division, less defense battalions   and advance detachment. Primary Mission:             To organize, train, and develop doctrine and tactics for capturing enemy land ob-jectives, particularly fortified atolls; to keep up-to-date normal arrangements and plans for such operations; and to accumulate and maintain in readiness for war all essential material required by the task force in order to provide an efficient Amphibious Force for attack, with or without support of other forces, on outlying positions of the enemy.      2.     The three Task Force Commanders, established by this order, will perform the duties incident to the organization, training and operations of their respective Task Forces. In addition, they will control the allocation of time for Task Force and Type exercises, in the at sea exercise periods of the employment schedules of their respective Task Forces. The relation of the Type Commanders to the Task Force Commanders, in matters relating to the above will be the same as now exist between Type Commanders and Force Commanders.       3.      Force and Type Commanders will continue to exercise other functions as now assign-ed, and as required by U. S. Navy Regulations and basic instructions.       4.      Task Force Doctrines and Current Tactical Orders for Task Forces shall be prepared and issued in tentative form. As soon as they have been sufficiently tested they shall be submitted to the Commander-in-Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet, for final approval.      5.      Units of the U. S. Pacific Fleet, not specifically detailed to the Task Forces appearing herein, will remain under the Force Commanders as at present.      6.     Effective with the organization set forth in this letter:             (a) Ships in Task Organizations while at sea operating with Task Organization shall use the effective Task Organization frequency plans.             (b) Ships of each Task Organization, when in port, will guard and use harbor circuit (2562 kcs. currently in use for Pearl Harbor) and such other circuits as may be prescribed. Each Task Force Commander shall guard that frequency in port and while at sea in the operating area. S.O.P.A. in port will also guard that frequency and establish communication, preferably visual or landline, with nearest shore communication activity.      7.     If and when additional Task Forces are organized, the provisions of this letter will apply.   H. E. KIMMEL.   DISTRIBUTION: (List II, Case 2)   O; X; EN3; AA1; AAA1; ND11-14. P. C. Crosley, Flag Secretary. USS Penn.—42—4-29-41—1,200.

SOURCE:
National Archives & Records Administration, College Park
Record Group 313, CinCLant Confidential & Restricted Files 1941-43 Declassification Review NND 735024

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