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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 the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations

Troop Transport, Special Letters. 

September 9, 1918. JCM

Opnav Washington.                                         4452

O-1                           SX

53 ADR                  

s e c r e t

4452. URGENT. Submarines are maintaining concentration between lat. 47° and 48° 30' and Longitude 9° and 14° W. Routes and landfalls should be selected for present to cross 15th meridian below latitude 47°. It is usual practice after destroyers join convoy to divert convoy clear of submarine activity. This was not possible in case of group 60 which did not pass ren dezvous in accordance with x usual practice.1 Previous crossing same group arrived rendezvous very suitable hour.  184209 4452

SIMS     

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 517B. Document identifier in upper right-hand corner: “6/C” and in separate column: “C/J/1/3.”

Footnote 1: Despite the issue with the rendezvous, Group 60, which included 3 troopships carrying 16,308 troops, arrived safely at Brest, France, on 7 September. Wilson, American Navy in France: 53.

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