Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to the Office of Naval Intelligence, 8/4/1918

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WWI

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to the Office of Naval Intelligence

Chronological Copy. File No.

Cablegram Sent August <4,> 1918 EJW

To: Opnav Washington ( Navintel.) Serial No. 2335

Prep. by H-5 NCT1 D.R.

CONFIDENTIAL.

2335. It is reported that Archangel2 was occupied August 3 by Allied troops. Little resistance was offered. 19204

2335. Sims.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG45, Entry 517B. Handwritten date confirmed by the time/date stamp at the end of the cable.

Footnote 1: Capt. Nathan C. Twining, Sims’ chief of staff.

Footnote 2: Archangel (Arkhangelsk) is a major port city in Northern Russia located on the elevated eastern bank of the North Dvina River, 33 miles from the White Sea. As a result of the continued presence of Bolshevik forces at Archangel, Sir Eric Geddes advised the War Cabinet to order a landing to defend the Allied occupation of Murmansk. Maj. Gen. Frederick C. Poole awaited the arrival of Allied reinforcements before leading an expedition on July 30th comprised of Attentive, Nairana, Amiral Aube, H.M.S. Salvator, and six armed trawlers, and on the following day, the S.S. Stephen. This force included only about 1500 troops, but the offensive power of the naval vessels was enough to ensure the occupation of Archangel by August 3. Henry P. Beers, US Naval Forces in Northern Russia (Archangel and Murmansk), 1918-1919, pp. 10-13, https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/u/usn-forces-northern-russia-1918-1919.html, consulted 7/26/18.

Naval History and Heritage Command