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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Staff of Vice Admiral William S. Sims, Commander, United States Naval Forces Operating in European Waters, to Rear Admiral Herbert O. Dunn, Commander, Azores Detachment

File No. 16-5-16.

CABLEGRAM RECEIVED. <September 17, 1918>

Origin    Opnav.                      Date 18 Sept.

To: Simsadus.

For: Commander Patrol Force.

From: Chief-Naval Operations.

          Admiral Jellicoe informs Embassy strongest reason believing very large submarines Deutschland Type should arrive vicinity Ax<z>ores Islands Sept. 22,1 and in addition practically certain another very large submarine will be leaving German Waters shortly. Acknowledge Admiral Sims Commander Patrol Force U.S.S. ---------- 21017.

ADMIRAL BENSON.              

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517. Both the author and recipient of this cable are difficult to determine. As former First Sea Lord Adm. John R. Jellicoe was then in London, it presumably originated with Sims’ staff and then was sent to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington who then forwarded it to “Commander Patrol Force.” The commander in the Azores was Rad. Herbert O. Dunn, so the editors believe he may have been the recipient. The handwritten date is confirmed by the time/date notation following the text of the cable. There is a document identifier in columnar fashion in the upper right-hand corner: “J/1/3/[4?].”

Footnote 1: The reports from the Azores for late September and early October make no mention of this submarine. DNA, RG 45, Entry 520, Box 446.

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