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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

 

Subject Copy.                                File No. <4-2-30>

Cablegram Sent July 14, 1918       JCM

To   Opnav Washington                        Serial No. 1142

Prep. by A-1                       NCT D.R.

                                        29 ARD

CONFIDENTIAL

1142 Your 8416.1 British Royal Air Force request they be supplied fifty flying boat pilots and fifty seaplane pilots as soon as practicable and that two thousand men be supplied as normal reinforcements. Also fifty flying boat pilots per month as soon as possible after the arrival of the hundred needed now. Consider it highly advisable that we reinforce British to the utmost limit of our capacity but that in so doing we dispose our reinforcements so that we can take over operation of British seaplane stations rather than distribute our officers and men to British stations, that we obligate at this time to supply all personnel of stations which will be supplied as regards all material by British until such time as we are in position to relieve them of this obligation. Stations when fully manned by us to become American units. Recommend we undertake to supply full complement for three stations of 24 H-16S each by January 1 1919, sending personnel as they become trained. If this recommendation is approved request notification when personnel may be expected and in what size drafts they will arrive[.] Also information as to any additional reinforcements that department may find possible to supply. See my letter number 24737 of July 13th.2 02214. 1142

Sims.    

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

Footnote 1: This document has not been found.

Footnote 2: This document has not been found.

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