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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations to Rear Admiral Hugh Rodman, Commander, Battleship Division Nine

Subject Copy.                                File No. <32-5-3>

Cablegram Sent Sept 14. 1918  Y-12

To Fibatus Admiralty London (Admiral Rodman)    Serial No. 972

Prep. by O-3              SX D.R.

45 ARD             

SECRET

     972. Following from Opnav QUOTE1 There are in European Waters eight United States ships, and 12 spare guns for replacements. The Army cannot meet its program for great guns in time to bring any of their large caliber guns into action during the 1919 campaign. It is requested the Navy do everything in its power to assist in this emergency. There are now in reserve in United States for replacing in ships Battleship Force 2, five 14 inch 45 caliber, 8 twelve inch 50 caliber. What is Admiralty’s view of probability of fleet action, and if probable before end of 1919, what is your estimate of the spare guns that will be needed by ships in European Waters over and above the 12 guns now abroad. This information requested in order to form an estimate of the number of spares in United States that can be turned over to Army for working on Western Front UNQUOTE. Your comment and recommendations requested.2 172914 972

Sims          

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

Footnote 1: The cable address for Rodman within the British Admiralty.

Footnote 2: Rodman’s response has not been found and as there was no 1919 campaign, the question became moot.

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