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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

Operation orders of Force Movements, etc Secret Routes for Vessels.

25 December 1917.   ROC

Opnav. Washington                  2368

BAL                 NCT1          19ADR

VERY SECRET.

2368.     Your 1754.2 Most of delay occasioned by waiting escort. Regular schedule delayed by special arrangements in connection with U.S. SAN DIEGO and MOUNT VERNON. Similar delays should not occur in future. I urge that General Pershing3 be instructed to make no reports of ship movements. Five of the last six convoys leaving France have been attacked by submarines. The suspicion is very strong that the submarines obtained advance information of these sailings. The convoy mentioned in your 17644 was not attacked. 00524.

Sims.         

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.

Footnote 1: Cmdr. Byron A. Long, a member of Sims' staff in the Operations Section, and Capt. Nathan C. Twining, Sims' chief of staff.

Footnote 2: Document has not been found.

Footnote 3: Gen. John J. Pershing, Commander, American Expeditionary Forces. San Diego and Mount Vernon were returning members of the Col. Edward House Mission that recently met with allied leaders to discuss strategy. See: Sims to Anne Hitchcock Sims, 6 December 1917.

Footnote 4: Document has not been found.

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