Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Admiral William S. Benson, Chief of Naval Operations
March 16th,1919.
LONDON 1345
AMNAVPAR PARIS
1345 FOR BENSON
YOUR 10241 YOU HAVE MESSAGE FROM MCCULLY2 REQUESTING CHASERS IN A SUBSEQUENT CABLE AFTER CONFERENCE WITH SENIOR ALLIED NAVAL OFFICER MOURMANSK3 HE STATES THAT THE VESSELS LIKELY TO BE MOST USEFUL FOR ACTIVE OPERATIONS ARE CHASERS HE IS THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH CAPABILITIES OF THESE VESSELS AM OF OPINION THEY WILL BE MOST USEFUL ASSISTANCE IN SAFE WITHDRAWAL OF ARMY AND CONSIDER SITUATION SUCH THAT WE SHOULD TAKE NO CHANCE LACK OF VESSELS RECOMMEND CHASERS BE SENT. 131216. (1345)
SIMS
<Note:>
#1024 : REGARDING SUBCHASERS FOR DUTY ARCHANGEL REGION IN CONNECTION WITH WITHDRAWAL OF ARMY
BENSON.
Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B.
Footnote 1: This cable has not been found.
Footnote 2: RAdm. Newton A. McCully, Commander, United States Naval Forces in Russia. For the message referred to, see: McCully to Benson, 25 February 1919.
Footnote 3: This probably refers to Brig. Gen. William E. Ironside, commander of the British forces in northern Russia.
