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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Bureau of Navigation to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

Chronological Copy.                          File No. <4-1-5>

Cablegram Received  July <25, 1918.> 11196  CCD

Origin Opnav Washington (Bunav)                    Ser. No. 9037

        A 1    26 July

               B-1

Simsadus.

9037. Your 8533 and 1126.1 For all stations exclusive of Killingholme Naval Air Station and Italian Stations estimate that 228 HS-1 pilots and 319 H-16 pilots are needed.2 According to your 8533 by August 1st there will be trained abroad 95 HS-1 pilots and 28 H-16 pilots. By August 1st orders will have been issued transferring abroad 35 HS-1 pilots and 65 H-16 pilots. Above figures show that from August 1st there will remain to be trained to fill 1st complement 98 HS-1 pilots and 225 H-16 pilots, these pilots being trained now at the rate of approximately 50 per week and training rate gradually increasing. All classes of pilots being ordered abroad as rapidly as possible. In addition to above, 70 night bombing pilots exclusive of 20 pilots sent abroad to complete training as night bombers will have been ordered abroad by August 1st and these are also qualified H-16 pilots and may be used for that work if necessary. 21125 9637

Benson

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. The date is handwritten but is confirmed by the time/date stamp at the end of the text.

Footnote 1: Neither of these cables has been found.

Footnote 2: The Curtiss HS-1 Single engine flying boat; the Curtiss H-16 was a twin engine flying boat.

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