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Naval History and Heritage Command

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

CABLEGRAM SENT                13 August 1918. RES

To   Opnav, Washington.                      Serial No. 2794.

Prep. by  CS                  D.R  NCT

     N.

CONFIDENTIAL

2794. Report from U.S.S. Olympia states that three officers and fifty-one men from landing force of that vessel participated in operations at Archangel.1 Captain Bierer2 also accompanied expedition. Band of twenty-two pieces from Olympia sent to Archangel August 7th.3 132713 2794.

          Sims.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Identifier “MEJ.” appears in the top-left corner.

Footnote 1: On 31 July-1 August 1918, 27 of Olympias crew took part in the Allied capture of the port of Archangel, previously controlled by the Bolsheviks. Men from Olympia also went ashore and took part in multiple small engagements with Bolshevik forces in August and September, though it is unclear which particular episode Sims is referring to. DANFS.

Footnote 2: Capt. Bion B. Bierer, Commanding Officer, Olympia.

Footnote 3: Olympia’s band traveled to Archangel to bolster sagging Allied morale. Ibid.

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