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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Captain Charles P. Nelson, Commander, Submarine Chaser Detachment Two, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

File No. 25-9-16 E

CABLEGRAM RECEIVED. Y 41

Origin  Chasnav  Corfu.                Serial No. 274

Refd to

CS-2      Oct 20         Sx  No action

CS

O-4                     NCT

                          RHL

42 ADR

Simsadus

274  Conference with Commodore Commanding Adriatic Sea force1 shows Admiralty has issued preparatory orders for breaking up of mobile barrage. Am informed that it is intended we shall retire Gibraltar[.] In view of this desire information as to advisability of continuing building program installation of anti-aircraft batteries just arrived and gasoline tanks not yet mounted. Believed that on arrival FALL CITY mpvable [i.e., movable] things can be quickly placed on board. Suggested that a small force be left here to dispose of tanks automobile trucks and such articles to highest bidder while personnel which cannot be taken on board of vessels sent overland to Brest.2 161019 274

Nelson.

Sent    5.30 PM Oct. 19 1918.

Recd.  10.27 AM Oct 20 1918

Source Note: DTS, DNA, RG 45, Entry 520, Box 415.

Footnote 1: VAdm. Sir Somerset A. Gough-Calthorpe, Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet.

Footnote 2: The Italians were angered by Britain’s downgrading of its forces in the Adriatic and protested through the United States Naval Attaché at Rome, Cmdr. Charles R. Train. See, Train to Sims, 20 October 1918, DNA, RG 45, Entry 520, Box 415.

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