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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

File No. 4-1-5

CABLEGRAM RECEIVED         15807  July <6, 1918>  EWG

Origin Opnav Washington                      Ser. No. 8165

31 ADR.                       SECRET

Simsadus.

8165. Your 460.1 Flying boat pilots will be sent abroad as rapidly as possible. Estimate that our requirements overseas will be satisfied by August 15th. By that date under present plan will be training approximately 50 flying boat pilots per week this output to be increased shortly thereafter to 75 per week. You may allot as many of these pilots to British as need of our own stations abroad permit. 50 seaplane pilots trained in gunnery and bombing can be furnished British by August 15th. In order to plan for expansion of training system, necessary to have your estimate on the monthly number of day and night bombers complement off stations now authorized abroad have been filled. Will 50 flying boat pilots per month meet need of the British. Also request information as to Aviation grounds personnel which Navy Department will be called upon to furnish British 09006.2 8165.

Benson.

Retransmit to Brest for Cone.3

Source Note: Cy, DNA RG 45, Entry 517B. The handwritten date is confirmed by the time/date stamp at the end of the text.

Footnote 3: Capt. Hutchinson I Cone, commander of United States naval aviation forces in foreign service.

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