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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 Commanders, All Bases and Commands in European Waters

U.S. NAVAL FORCES OPERATING IN EUROPEAN WATERS.

U.S.S. MELVILLE, Flagship.

London, England.

26 August 1918.

CIRCULAR LETTER NO. 84.

Subject:  ESTABLISHMENT OF U.S. NAVAL AVIATION SECTION - STAFF OF COMMANDER, U.S. NAVAL FORCES OPERATING IN EUROPEAN WATERS.

1.   On September 1, 1918, the Commander of the U.S. Naval Aviation Forces, Foreign Service,1 will be assigned to the Staff of the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, as Aide for Aviation. As such the Aide for Aviation will be the chief of the Aviation section of the Force Commander’s Staff.

2.   The various U.S. Naval Aviation Units in Europe will, after that date, be operated as follows:-

(a)  THE COMMANDER, U.S. NAVAL FORCES IN FRANCE2 will command all U.S. Naval Air Stations on the West Coast of France. The operations of these stations will be conducted in conjunction with the French authorities concerned.

(b)  THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE U.S. NAVAL NORTHERN BOMBING GROUP will command that Group and the U.S. Naval Air Station, Dunkirk, under the direction of the British Vice-Admiral Commanding the Dover Patrol. He will also command the U.S. Naval Aviation Repair Base at Eastleigh.3

(c)  THE COMMANDING OFFICER, U.S. NAVAL AIR STATIONS IN ITALY will command those stations under the direction of the Italian District Commanders.4

(d)  THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATIONS IN IRELAND will command those stations under the direction of the British Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland.5

(e)  THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION,KILLINGHOME will command that station under the direction of the British Vice-Admiral Commanding the Defenses of the East Coast of England.6

3.   After August 31, 1918, all mail, cablegrams, and telegrams pertaining to Naval Aviation and which have heretofore been addressed to the Commander of the U.S. Naval Aviation Forces, Foreign Service, shall be addressed to the Force Commander as in the case of all other correspondence pertaining to Naval activities in Europe.

                                   WM. S. SIMS.

Source Note: C, DNA, RG45, Entry 517B. Distribution list after close includes all bases, commands, and Naval Attaches in European Waters.

Footnote 1: Capt. Hutchinson I. Cone.

Footnote 2: RAdm. Henry B. Wilson.

Footnote 3: Capt. David C. Hanrahan; Adm. Sir Reginald Hugh Spencer Bacon, R.N.

Footnote 4: Lt. Cmdr. John L. Callan, U.S.N.R.F.

Footnote 5: Cmdr. Frank R. McCrary; Adm. Sir Lewis Bayly, R.N.

Footnote 6: Lt. Cmdr. Kenneth M. Whiting; RAdm. Reginald Tyrwhitt, R.N.

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