The US Navy of January 1940 was moving toward a much stronger force after years of treaty limits and congressional disinterest. War in Europe provided enough warning to accelerate construction and reconsider anchorage security after Royal Oak's loss at Scapa Flow. Pearl Harbor already had substantial anti-submarine defenses, but the British experience gave the United States a current reason to inspect them again. The most immediate shortages were in aviation and trained personnel: seaplanes, patrol aircraft, fighters, and pilots all needed rapid expansion.
Chapter · 31:14-33:25
Accelerate the US Navy's transition to wartime strength
The United States needed faster construction, stronger anchorage security, and many more patrol aircraft, seaplanes, combat aircraft, and pilots.