Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, Campaign Order Number Two

Confidential.

UNITED STATES NAVAL FORCES

OPERATING IN EUROPEAN WATERS.

U. S. S. MELVILLE, FLAGSHIP.

November 10, 1917.

CAMPAIGN ORDER NO. 2.

FORCES:

  (a) DESTROYER FLOTILLAS BASED ON QUEENSTOWN—Vice-Admiral Sims.

  (b) PATROL SQUADRONS BASED ON FRENCH COAST—Rear-Admiral Wilson.1

       (1) BASED ON BREST—Rear-Admiral Wilson.

       (2) BASED ON BORDEAUX—Commander to be designated.

  (c) PATROL SQUADRON BASED ON GIBRALTAR—Rear-Admiral Niblack.2

  (d) AZORES DETACHMENT—Senior Officer Present.3

  (e) NAVAL AVIATION FORCES, FOREIGN SERVICE—Commander Cone.4

   1. Enemy submarines operating against Allied lines of communication.

  2. These forces operate under direct military control of Senior Allied Commanders Present, in accordance with general policies of Force Commander as set forth in Force instructions No. 2 of September 22, 1917.

  3. (a), (b), (c) and (d). The Senior U. S. Naval Officer Afloat in each area shall be in immediate command of U. S. Naval Forces in that area (including personnel of bases) and shall be responsible for the efficiency of his command and for their operation, subject to the requirements of paragraph 2.

      (d)—(additional). Deny the AZORES ISLANDS to enemy submarines and operate offensively against such vessels when reported in the vicinity as far as the capabilities and radius of action of the available vessels permit. Do not operate in the vicinity of the CANARY ISLANDS east of Longitude twenty, and south of Latitude thirty, without first communicating with French Naval Forces in that area.

     (e) Such Sea-plane and Balloon Stations as have been or may be established in France, and in the British Isles shall be operated under the direction of the Senior Allied Commander in the district in which they are located; the Commander of Naval Aviation Forces, Foreign Service, shall exercise general administrative and disciplinary control over all such Stations.

     (x) The Force Commander shall be kept informed of military operations performed or contemplated and state of military readiness for any possible duty of which the forces in question are capable.

   4. Keep the Force Commander informed regarding supplies needed from the United States. Forces in France shall make requests through Paymaster J. F. Hatch, U. S. Navy, Assistant in France to the Aid for Material Supplies, and Repairs; all other forces shall make application for stores direct to the Force Commander.

     When supplies cannot be obtained from the United States within the necessary time, make direct requests on Allied base facilities.

     Local purchases may be made when it is necessary to obtain immediate delivery of supplies so procurable.

   5. The Force Commander’s mail address is 30 Grosvenor Gardens, London, S. W. Cable and telegraphic address, “Simsadus,” London. Use Codes and Ciphers as may be directed from time to time; utilize Allied official mail routes whenever possible.

          This order becomes effective on receipt.

WM.S.SIMS.                   

Vice-Admiral, U.S. Navy, Commanding.   

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

Footnote 1: RAdm. Henry B. Wilson.

Footnote 2: RAdm. Albert P. Niblack.

Footnote 3: Capt. Samuel S. Robison.

Footnote 4: Cmdr. Hutchinson I. Cone.