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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations, to Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters

Action Copy.                                 File No. <4-1-11>

     Cablegram Received  March <29, 1918> 01830  MJK

Origin Opnav Washington                           Ser. No. 4359

Ref’d to

Date

ACTION, NOTES and INITIALS.

A1

30-3-18

W.A.E.1             March 29, 1918

C6

30-3-18

See our 1760 to Paris JVB2

21 D.

Simsadus.

4359. It is only some difficulties have arisin in Paris Committee of Air Craft Board. A despatch has been received by War Department recommending reestablishment of Committee to be composed of Army Officers only who will look after Navy interests. Submit written detailed report with recommendations3  09029   4329

Benson.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. There is a note below close: ”Only – 1 letter garbled.”

Footnote 1: Lt. Walter A. Edwards, Sims’ aide for aviation.

Footnote 2: “JVB” was Sims’ personal aide Cmdr. John V. Babcock; the message sent to Paris has not been found.

Footnote 3: With the arrival of Gen. Benjamin Foulois in January, friction arose within the Army Air Corps between Foulois, his staff, Gen. Billy Mitchell, and certain field officers. There was also much discussion of a single air service that combined Army and Navy aviators as had been done in England. This cable is alluding to both issues. While the report requested by Benson has not been found, the head of Navy Aviation in Europe, Capt. Hutchinson I Cone, tried to steer clear of the former controversy and actively resisted amalgamation. Rossano, Stalking the U-Boats: 136-39.

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