Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations

COPY

DISPATCH TO BE SENT.

Date: 5 April 1918.

To: Opnav.              Prep.by CS 1       No. 6077

HIGHLY SECRET

6077. Your 3734 and 44861 Joint Session of Allied Naval Council and Military Representatives of Supreme War Council took place March 14 in London. The Adriatic project was explained to military representatives with stat<e>ment that scheme was feasible from naval point of view and a very important one to be carried out if possible. General Rawlison2 thought operation must be considered with care on account of its effect on the whole of the Allied front and particularly in Austria. He <emphasized> necessity of preserving utmost secrecy. General Giardino3 thought military op<er>ations would have to be considerably more extended than scheme contemplated and that Italy had no troops available as reinforcements to the initial force supplied by the United States. He did not think present military situation was <s>uch as to make this scheme practicable but he would study matter carefully further. There has been no subsequent action in this matter which stands at present as a project approved by the Allied Naval Council and under consideration by military representatives of Supreme War Council.

     In view of the present situation on Western Front, it is <improbable> that this project will receive much consideration for the present, and may prove to be unnecessary or impracticable, depending on outcome of present German offensive.

     Full details xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx in Allied Naval Council <Paper> No. 81, mailed today.4 19205

SIMS.