Today in World War II History—February 1, 1941
Monday, February 1, 2021 by Sarah Sundin

US Marine Corps recruiting poster, WWII
80 Years Ago—Feb. 1, 1941: German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper leaves Brest, France to raid British shipping in the North Atlantic for the next four months.
Japan begins rice rationing to save shipping space: 330 grams per day.
US Marine Corps forms its first divisions, the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions for the East and West Coasts, respectively.

Wartime recognition drawing of German cruiser Admiral Hipper, produced by US Office of Naval Intelligence in 1942. (US Navy)