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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

Action Copy.                                      File No.

Cablegram Received <August 27, 1918.> CFB

Origin    Opnav Washington                   Ser. No. 557

  Ref’d to     Date           ACTION, NOTES and INITIALS.

     CS-2      Aug 28         <SX>

31 ADR                        SECRET

Simsadus

     557. At meeting held in the office of Naval Operations it was decided that United States should immediately take charge of H B1 convoy running to French Bay Ports, British and French Commander-in-Chiefs concur.2 Submit a schedule of dates and routes to be operative on September 2nd the date of the sailing of the first convoy.3 Should you desire to change present system of routing HB convoy submit plan. 21227 557

Benson                  

9:58 AM Aug 28, 1918    

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

Footnote 1: HB convoys were store ships that sailed from New York to Bay of Biscay ports in France.

Footnote 2: Adm. Sir Rosslyn E. Wemyss, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff; Adm. Ferdinand de Bon, French Navy, Chief of Naval Staff.

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