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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

 

DESPATCH TO BE SENT

Date: 17 July 1918.

To:  Opnav.

Prepared By: AC.    Approved: NCT. Code: 46 ADR.  No. S.B. 13.

SIMBEN 13.

Simben 13. Reference Simben No. 7. Department’s decision requested concerning submitting reports to Commander-in-Chief.1 Understand Commander-in-Chief maintains staff representative in Operations who has access to all reports from this command. 12117.

Sims.         

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. A notation designating this document as a “C O P Y” appears at the bottom of the page.

Footnote 1: Adm. Henry T. Mayo, Commander, United States Atlantic Fleet. Sims was officially under Mayo’s command, but functionally enjoined near-complete independence at his headquarters in Europe, while Mayo remained in the U.S. There had been talk of Mayo moving to Europe to assume command there, with Sims threatening to resign if that happened. Mayo continued to press for greater involvement in the war effort. Still, Crisis at Sea: 28-30.