Naval History and Heritage Command

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

Subject Copy.                                File No. <31-7-15>

Cablegram Sent Aug. 12<13,> 1918 MJK

To   Opnav Washington                        Serial No. 2813

Prep. by O-4                  NCT D.R.

                                   42 ARD

CONFIDENTIAL

2813. Experience with sub-chasers on Otranto barrage and in the Channel has demonstrated the necessity for an experienced Naval Officer of the regular Navy to command each division and an additional officer to command each squadron. Sound contact has been made on several occasions with enemy submarines in which the submarine was lost without an attack. With proper personnel such occurrences should be very rare. Urgently request 24 division commanders and four squadron commanders be assigned without delay. I believe that compliance with this request will more than double the usefulness of chasers now in European Waters. 002013. 2813.

SIMS.