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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 Captain Richard H. Jackson, United States Naval Representative to the Ministry of Marine, and United States Naval Attaché at Paris

Subject Copy.                                   File No.

Cablegram Sent May 2, 1918 MJK

To   Amnavpar Paris.                       Serial No. 2113.

Prep. by  M 4                     D.R.

                                      33 ADR

VERY SECRET.

2113. U.S. Naval expedition consisting of trains with large Naval guns on railway mountings will be ship<p>ed France in near future. Ascertain port most advisable debark expedition.1 Ample space and erecting facilities required for assembly, maximum sig<n>gle lift of crane required 178300 pounds. United States will furnish personnel required erection and assembly. Expedition ready shipment 1 June. Desire commence erection immediately upon arrival port of debarkation. Please expedite reply. 2113. 20502.

SIMS.

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

Footnote 1: St. Nazaire was chosen as the port for debarking all materials relating to the railway batteries. For more on these guns, see: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/u/us-naval-railway-batteries-france.html.

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