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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 Commander Hutchinson I. Cone, Commander, United States Naval Aviation Forces, Foreign Service

Subject Copy.

Cablegram Sent 22 December 1917.   [ROC?]

To Jackson, Marine, Paris.                        Serial No. 809

Prep. by A-1                  NCT       D.R.

19 D          

809. For Cone. Following from Opnav QUOTE 1723. Reference Cones letter 220 of November 22nd regarding kite ballaons1 understand that British are establishing kite balloon stations at Berehaven and Lock Swilly.2 In order to prepare comprehensive schedule for output of kite balloon personnel and material it is absolutely necessary that Department be informed as soon as practicable as to probable requirements along these lines abroad. Benson UNQUOTE. Complete details of proposed kite balloon station at Whiddy Island3 will be cabled you next Wednesday. 22422.

Sims.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. This cable was sent from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (over the signature of Adm. William S. Benson) through Sims’ headquarters to Capt. Richard Jackson, the liaison officer with the French Marine department, who was to deliver it to Cone. “ROC” was presumably the person in Sims’ office who encoded the message; it is not known who “A-1” is and “NCT” was Sims’ chief of staff, Capt. Nathan C. Twining.

Footnote 1: Cone sent Sims two cables on 22 November that would have been passed on to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, however neither concerned kite balloons.

Footnote 2: That is Lough Swilley, an fjord or sea inlet in County Donegal, Ireland, near Londonderry.

Footnote 3: Whiddy Island is a small island near the head of Bantry Bay, Ireland. The Americans established a kite balloon base at Whiddy but not at Berehaven or Lough Swilley. Rossano, Stalking the U-Boat, 50.

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