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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 Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations

Subject Copy.                               File No. <25/9/16>

            Cablegram Sent    June 1, 1918.

To        Opnav Washington             Serial No. 8817 LEM

Prep. by O5                  NCT  D.R.

                                  31 ADR

8817. Your 4367.1In addition to the 144 chasers now allocated for foreign service, 36 more can be used to great advantage. Some of the latter to be used at Gibraltar, some at air stations on the coast of France and some to meet requests from Italy. It is highly important that competent officers be assigned to chaser duty as they will operate a large part of the time alone or small groups dependent upon their own judgement and initiative. There should be a liberal percentage of regular officers among them at least one per division. It is gratifying to note that reports from several sources indicate that both our own and British Naval men were very favorably impressed with the smart businesslike appearance of the Chasers which have already arrived in European waters. 13201. 8817.

SIMS              

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

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