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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Captain Richard H. Leigh, Anti-Submarine Operations Section, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

 

U. S. NAVAL FORCES OPERATING IN EUROPEAN WATERS

U.S.S.Melville, Flagship.

Telephone,Victoria 9110                     30 Grosvenor Gardens

Cable Address “Simsadus”                         London, S.W.1.

Reference No. 0.4.                             30th July, 1918.

Memorandum:   For Admiral Sims.

Subject:      Co-operation and assistance of the French at Corfu.

          Admiral [Dominique-Marie] Gauchet, Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces in the Mediterranean, now at Corfu on his Flagship the PROVENCE, so heartily assisted and co-operated with us in the establishment of Base 25,1 that I think you would be interested in knowing a few details in regard to this matter.

          Although the Admiral very seldom leaves his Flagship, he took the time and trouble to go personally with me and officers of his staff over Govino Bay and vicinity, assigning to our use as much of the anchorage space and shore line as it was possible to do in view of their aircraft activity there.

          Before, the arrival of the chasers, he placed at our disposal ships, boats as required and supplied us with twelve sets of moorings – anchors, cables, buoys – complete and had them placed in American Bay by one of his trawlers in positions selected by me. These were spare moorings provided for the nets at the entrance to Corfu, and naturally are very much wanted as a reserve by the French.

          He repeatedly stated to me that we were considered on the same status as his own forces and so long as they had anything, or any means of assisting us he would be glad to do so. He made good this statement on every opportunity in a most hearty and cordial way. There was never any delay, or hesitation, or red tape about getting the assistance of the French if they could possibly give it to us.

Sgd---- R. H. Leigh.    

Source Note: Cy, DLC-MSS, William Sims Papers, Container 24. “Admiral Sims/Personal File.” appears in the upper-left corner and “1/6/J” appears in the upper-right corner of the page.

Footnote 1: Corfu, Greece.