Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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

Chronological Copy.

          Cablegram Received December 16021 <December 20 1917>

Origin Opnav, Washington (BUNAV)      Ser. No. 1712

     19 D

     Simsadus:

     1712. Your 2110.1 Naval aviators in addition to those already sent will be approximately[:] December thirty January fifty February fifty March fifty and thereafter one hundred per month. Aviators sent up to the end of February will have little gunnery and bombing training. After that date will be completely trained. By holding graduates of January and February can send one hundred completely trained end of March and continuous one hundred per month thereafter. Which method is desired. Most of aviators will have been taught in tractors up to end of January when there will be a sufficient number of flying-boats completed to give all advanced pupils boat training. Gunnery and bombing facilities for training observers will not be ready until Feb. 1st. Completely trained observers for abroad expected as follows end of February fifty and one hundred per month thereafter. Reference your 2161 not clear.2 We are shipping material for construction of five dou8ble dirigible sheds. Shall we furnish material for one more. Reference your 16363 give definite location Isle Royal as this place cannot be identified. 22020.

Benson.                

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: This document has not been located.

Footnote 2: This document has not been located.

Related Content