USS S-33 (SS-138) - Reactivation and Defensive Patrols

Reactivation and Defensive Patrols

That summer, increased United States involvement in World War II brought activation orders, and, on 16 October 1940, S-33 was recommissioned. She conducted trials and exercises out of Philadelphia into the spring of 1941. Then, in April, she moved north to New London, the homeport for her division, Submarine Division 52.

The submarine then conducted exercises and patrols off the southern New England coast and out of Bermuda. Toward the end of 1941, however, her operational area was extended, and she moved up to the Newfoundland coast to test S-boat capabilities under high latitude conditions. She returned to New London after the entry of the United States into World War II and at the end of December 1941, proceeded to Philadelphia for an overhaul. From Philadelphia, she moved south to the Panama Canal Zone and, before the end of May 1942, had conducted two defensive patrols in the western approaches to the canal. In June 1942, she proceeded on to San Diego, California, and, toward the end of the month, moved north to the Aleutian Islands.