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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

Chronological Copy.                         File No. <4/21/1>

          Cablegram Received <February 21, 1918.> 11623  EJW1

Origin      Opnav, Washington               Ser. No. 3153

A-  12   22-2-18

21D

Simsadus.

3153. Your 3065.3 No Torpedo Carrying Sea Plane or Aeroplane under consideration at present time, 10021.4

Benson

Source Note: Cy, RG 45, Entry 517B. The date is handwritten at the top of the page and confirmed by the date stamp just before the signature.

Footnote 1: The initials of the transcriber/decoder.

Footnote 2: The editors believe “A- 1” was the designation for the Aviation Section of Sims’ staff; “22-2-18” was the date it was referred to this section; “21D” is the code used to send the message; “Simsadus” is the official designation for Sims’ headquarters.

Footnote 3: This cable has not been found.

Footnote 4: Despite what Benson wrote here, by late 1918 a test was run using an F-5 flying boat carrying a 400-pound dummy torpedo near the Naval Aircraft Factory at Philadelphia. Turnbull & Lord, Naval Aviation: 213.

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