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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Captain Nathan C. Twining, Chief of Staff, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels

 

8th December 1917.

From:     Commander, U.S.Naval Forces Operating in

European Waters.1

To  :     The Secretary of the Navy (Operations-Aviation)

Subject:  Aviation – Weekly Report of Operations.

     1.  ENGLAND.

          One of the two SS.Zero type Airships constructed for the U.S.Navy is being sent to the R.N.A.S.Station at Cranwell for use in connection with the training of U.S.Naval Balloon Pilots. The second airship is being crated and will be shipped in the next few days to New York.2

     2.  IRELAND.

          Arrangements are being made to prepare living accom<m>odations at the proposed site for the U.S.Naval Aviation Base at Queenstown. As soon as the buildings at this point which are now being used as barracks have been released by the British Army and turned over to us [i.e., U.S.] enlisted personnel for Aviation can beeaccommodated.

     3. FRANCE.

Dunkirk.

          Constructional work in progress. Eight seaplanes in process of assembly. No enemy bombing raids.

          Le Croisic.

          The Aviation station at Le Croisic was taken over from the French on November 27th with appropriate ceremonies. Patrol and escort being carried out in conjunction with U.S. transports. Nothing of special interest to report.

          Paimboeuf.

          This station has been taken over from the French and Lieutenant (j.g.) F.P.Culbert, U.S.N. has been making flights in a French dirigible as assistant pilot under instruction.3 Nothing of special interest to report.

/s/ N.C.Twining.   

Captain U.S.Navy.  

Chief of Staff.    

Signed for Vice Admiral Sims.

in his absence.    

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Identification marker “Al. 3700 – 4/1/9.” appears in the upper-left corner.

Footnote 1: VAdm. William S. Sims. Sims was in France at this time for a conference with Allied leaders, and Twining sent this report on his behalf.

Footnote 2: For more on the Zero-type airships, see: Sims to Daniels, 24 November 1917.

Footnote 3: Lt. Frederic P. Culbert.

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