February 11, 1942: CAP Submits Plan for Coastal Patrol

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On this date in 1942, Major General M.F. Harmon drafted a memo that contained the plan to establish the Civil Air Patrol's Coastal Patrol during World War II.

An excerpt from U-Boat Archive:

Established shortly before Pearl Harbor, the CAP felt that it could be of service in the work of coastal patrol, and in February had submitted a plan for the employment of its forces.  Memo, Maj. Gen. M. F. Harmon, C/AS, to Lt. Gen. L. F. McNair, C/S GHQ, U. S. Army, 11 Feb. 1942 in AAFAC file 280.  Originally under the operational control of the I Air Support Command, the CAP wa placed under that of the I Bomber Command 19 August 1942.  See AAFAC file 280.012.

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August 31, 1943: CAP Coastal Patrol "Stands Down"

Image via WikipediaOn this date, the Civil Air Patrol's Coastal Patrol program along the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts was deactivated.

An excerpt from Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol:

CAP planes got bombs and depth charges after a crew watched in vain as a grounded sub off Cape Canaveral, Florida, escaped before the military arrived. CAP Coastal Patrol flew 24 million miles, found 173 subs, attacked 57, hit 10 and sank two. By Presidential Executive Order, CAP became an auxiliary of the Army Air Forces on April 29, 1943. The military had resisted "those country-club pilots" and their "toy planes," but 21 CAP Coastal Patrol bases from Maine to Texas had soon deterred close-in submarine operations. By August 31, 1943, it was time for Coastal Patrol to stand down. A German commander later confirmed that coastal U-boat operations were withdrawn "because of those damned little red and yellow airplanes."

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May 3, 1942: James Island, SC Coastal Patrol Squadron Activated

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On this date in 1942, the James Island CAP Coastal Patrol near Charleston, South Carolina was activated.

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