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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral Sir John R. Jellicoe, First Sea Lord, to Commodore Guy R. Gaunt, British Naval Attaché at Washington

TELEGRAM.                                                    No. 161

From Admiralty.                                                                                        Date 29.6.17.

 

To Naval Attache Washington.                                                                     Sent 2321.

Cypher L.

          Personal from First Sea Lord

          Take early opportunity of informing Admiral Benson1 that shipping losses continue at very serious rate and that further assistance from U.S. Navy is greatly needed if it can be sent.

          Submarines, Destroyers, tugs and small craft of all natures would be of infinite value and if sent in sufficient numbers might well have decisive effect Their best opportunity for action is during fine weather season and the situation necessitates strong measures.2

1st.S.L.

Source Note: Cy, UK-KeNA, Adm. 137/656. Note below close: “First Sea Lord.”

Footnote 1: Adm. William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations.

Footnote 2: Jellicoe was reinforcing a message that VAdm. William S. Sims sent to the Navy Department. See, for example: Sims to Josephus Daniels, 20 June 1917; and Sir Arthur J. Balfour to Sir Cecil Spring Rice, 30 June 1917.

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