03/01 Sat. Support Force, Atlantic Fleet (Read Adm. A. L. Bristol), composed of destroyers and patrol plane squadrons, is established for protection of convoys in North Atlantic. Bulgaria joins the Axis as German troops occupy the country. 03/10 Mon. Japan mediates undeclared war between France and Indochina; France cedes territory to Thailand and gives Japan monopoly of Indochinese rice crop and right to airport at Saigon. 03/11 Tue. "Lend-Lease" Act becomes law; "cash and carry" provisions of Neutrality Act of 1939 are changed to permit transfer of munitions to Allies. 03/12 Wed. Naval Air Station, Corpus Christie, Tex., is established. 03/27 Thu. United States-British staff discussions in Washington end; "ABC-1 Staff Agreement" is reached which embodies basic strategic direction of the war in the case of the United States entry. 03/28 Fri. British fleet defeats Italian fleet in Battle of Cape Matapan; 3 Italian cruisers and 2 destroyers are sunk and several ships damaged. 03/30 Sun. Unites States takes possession of German, Italian, and Danish ships in United States Ports. 03/31 Mon. South Greenland Survey Expedition composed of State, Treasury, War, and Navy Department representatives arrives at Godthaab, Greenland; purpose is to locate and recommend sites for military and naval installations, and to gather hydrographic information.