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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

Action Copy.                                        File No.

Cablegram Received 22508 <February 8, 1918.> MIB

Origin Opnav, Washington (Buord)1        Ser. No. 2831

Ref’d. to

Date

ACTION, NOTES and INITIALS

M4

10-2-18

 

               27 ADR           VERY SECRET    

Simsadus.

2831. Your 36592 – Navy Guns differ from Army guns in length. Fire controlled by Army method. Completion 5 outfits for June assured. Guns duplicates of USS MISSISSIPPI. Elevation 45 degrees, range more than 45,000 yards. Personnel, Army or Navy, still unsettled.3 16308

Benson.  

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

Footnote 1: That is, Bureau of Ordnance, which had taken the lead in the naval railway gun project.

Footnote 3: Sims had advocated using only naval personnel for the railway guns. See: Sims to Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 11 January 1918.

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