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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 Rear Admiral William H. H. Bullard, Commander, United States Naval Forces in the Eastern Mediterranean

7 November, 1918.

     CHASNAV CORFU

          CS                                                  

For Bullard. You are appointed United States Naval delegate to act with naval delegates of France, Great Britain and Italy in carrying out terms of Armistice with Austria-Hungary.1 Delegates are to perform the following duties –

     1.   Obtain information as to Austria-Hungarian ships and mines required by Clauses one and four of Armistice.

     2.   Take charge of submarines referred to in Clause two.

     3.   Designate the ships that are to be surrendered under Clause three. Following ships are to be selected unless good reasons to contrary exist. Battleships PRINZ EUGEN, TEGETHOFF, RADATSKY. Cruisers HELGOLAND, NOVARA, SAIDA. Nine most modern destroyers. Twelve most modern torpedo boats (KAIMAN Class) Surrendered ships to be kept at POLA.2

     4.   Remaining vessels of fleet to be paid off and to be concentrated at POLA or other base at discretion of Committee and to be placed under Committee’s control.

     5.   Be ready to proceed to form commission referred to in Clause five, assisted by representatives of Ministries of Shipping with special knowledge.

     6.   CATTARO3 and POLA are to be the bases referred to in Clause six.

     7.   All other conditions of armistice to be carried out by Committee. In any case where armistice conditions not clear each delegate refer question to his government before acting.

          In case of doubt you are to refer questions for decision to Admiral Benson4 so long as he is in Europe.

          Take with you from Corfu all personnel and equipment needed so far as it is available. Expedite all your actions in every possible way. <102107.>

SIMS.    

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

Footnote 1: For more on the Austro-Hungarian Armistice terms, see: Richard H. Jackson to Sims, 6 November 1918.

Footnote 2: Present-day Pula, Croatia.

Footnote 3: Present-day Kotor, Montenegro.

Footnote 4: Adm. William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations.

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