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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 Bureau of Ordnance

 

Copy

<31 July 1918.>

TRANSLATION

From:     Sims

To  :     Bu Ordnance

IL- 2116 If British mines prove unsuitable for Area B1, I desire to be in a position to recommend advisability of extension of mine field as laid in Area A through Area B up to Orkneys using Mark six mines, which would require approximately seven-thousand two-hundred Mark six mines for Area B. Would Bureau of Ordnance be able to furnish all or part of this number of additional mines without interfering with contemplated mine operations in the Mediterranean Sea2.  20531  2116

                              Sims.

OL9346

64op                7-31-18

Source Note: CCy, DNA, RG45, Entry 517B. IL-2116 H appears in the upper-right corner of the first page, MDH appears in upper left corner of the first page.

Footnote 2: Sims hoped for a mine barrage from Cape Bon, Tunisia to Sicily, and he initially received support from the Navy Department for this operation. However, difficulties later forced the U.S. to abandon the idea before work could begin. Halpern, Naval War in the Mediterranean: 508-520. See: Sims to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 26 July, 1918.