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

DISPATCH TO BE SENT

Date March 8, 1918

To Opnav

Prepared by CS1                                     No. 4892

HIGHLY SECRET

My 3964.2 This matter will be again brought up at Allied Naval Council meeting March twelfth. Discussions between Planning Section my Staff and Plans Division Admiralty have resulted in agreement on essential feature of project, but no definite understanding yet reached with Admiralty. The initial operation would necessarily be the seizure of a base at SABBIONCELLO for which as indicated in my previous dispatch, American marines would be especially desirable. To provide for prompt action in case plan is adopted, I suggest that immediate steps be taken to provide a force of twenty thousand marines with all necessary armament and equipment, including artillery, signal force, aeroplanes, engineers, and infantry. Since early and rapid action will be essential elements in the execution of the plan it is recommended that the mobilization and equipment of the marines be undertaken immediately without waiting for the definite adoption of the plan.

SIMS.