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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

Chronological Copy.                         File No. <31/7/2>

          Cablegram Received  May <27, 1918.> 07128    TOH

Origin    Opnav, Washington (Bunav)          Ser. No. 6538

     S-1  28 May

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Simsadus.

6538. Referring to Commander Battleship Division 9 despatch1 and to Bureau’s confidential letter of 17 March2 temporary officers trained in Battleship Force 2 are alreay en route and regular Ensigns from Academy will be ordered as permanent increase in complement enable elimination of weaker Reserve Officers in ship and releasing of regular officers in excess of complement on dates given below. Division 9 has been informed of dates of detachment of Regular Officers in excess of complement to be 1 July 1 August and 1 September and will submit to Bunav names of officers to be so detached. Battleship Division 9 has been already released from further training of officers for transfer. Any relief for head of Department will be at least 1 month on board before relief is effected. Bunav regrets impracticability of carrying out recommendations made by Commander Battleship Division 9 considering it imperative to the success of the general plan that its policy be carried out. In view of the large complement of officers being assigned to the battleship and the time allowed for their training prior to detachment of older officers the Bureau believes that with the hearty co-operation of Battleship Division 9 the policy can be carried out without detriment to the measure and that it will result in a material furtherance of the Navy plan. 10027. 6538

Benson            

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

Footnote 1: RAdm. Hugh Rodman. The dispatch referenced herein has not been located.

Footnote 2: This document has not been located.

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