D-Day Collection | 1940s, the finest set of D-Day assault documents that have ever been offered for sale, alongside an original 48 state US flag from one of the first boats on D-Day
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‘this one-of-a-kind collection tells the story of a captain and his boat on the most important day of the 20th century. Alongside the original shrapnel-scarred flag, the archive contains Beckham’s set of D-Day documents, some annotated by the commander whilst on operations and under German fire. There is nothing else like this. It is truly awe-inspiring to offer one of the most important and complete D-Day collections to ever come to market'’ (Oliver Bayliss, Owner & Founder of Bayliss Rare Books)
The Beckham Collection is an extraordinary archive of D-Day artifacts meticulously preserved by Lt. Commander William Beckham Jr., who led the USS YMS-381 minesweeper during the pivotal first hours of the Normandy invasion. Brought to public view by Bayliss Rare Books, the collection includes an original, battle-worn 48-star U.S. flag flown on D-Day on YMS-381. Only a select few flags from D-Day operations have surfaced, and this particular flag is unmatched, with customs documentation tracing its origin directly to the Normandy beaches, where Beckham sent it from in September 1944. Unique among D-Day flags, it is the sole flag known from a minesweeper vessel; it is the earliest flag from D-Day to ever surface and it is the only one to every have verifiable evidence to support it being flown on D-Day, making it an unparalleled piece of military history. It is also in exemplary condition. Certainly the finest to have surfaced.
Among the collection’s highlights are the original TOP SECRET "BIGOT" documents issued to Beckham. These materials—personalized with Beckham’s annotations and mission orders for minesweeping along Utah Beach—were intended for immediate destruction after the mission under the Official Secrets Act. Remarkably, Beckham defied the protocol, preserving this priceless documentation. This includes D-Day Operation Order 3-44, a complete set of strategic documents covering the invasion in intricate detail, from minesweeper routes to landing schedules, making it the only known surviving set to have been used in action. Order 3-44 is essentially the D-Day bible. It is one of the rarest items of WWII.
The collection also encompasses a wealth of supporting wartime documents, from classified Navy operational records to training materials. Each piece in the Beckham Collection stands out as a testament to the monumental event, but taken together, the archive offers a breathtakingly rare and comprehensive perspective on D-Day, holding unmatched historical significance. The level of preservation and the completeness of the materials make it, in short, one of the most significant militaria collections ever available on the market.
Description and condition:
An extraordinary and very large quantity of documents relating to the service of Lt Cdr W. E. Beckham, Jr., Commander of Mine Sweeper USS YMS-381 on D-Day. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions that day when in charge of one of the very first vessels to reach the French coast.
This archive represents a microscopically comprehensive set of personal documents, lecture notes and hundreds of mimeographed documents covering many US Navy aspects from 1942 to 1945. The collection provides a very detailed insight into the training syllabus of the war-time US Navy, including “Restricted” indoctrination documents relating to “Negro units”. The total weight of the non-D-Day documents is about 13 kgs.
The archive contains a complete set of D-Day documents “Top Secret – Bigot - Neptune” annotated by Beckham relating to mine sweeping off Utah Beach and this also includes the 48-state US flag that was flown on USS YMS-381 on D-Day. Recipients of Assault documents were security checked before they were entered by name on the extremely select “BIGOT”-list, rated above “Top Secret” in terms of security classifications. All recipients, with the exception of the originator, appear to have followed the mandatory destruction order. To put the importance of “BIGOT” list members into perspective, ten US officers holding this security clearance also perished during the Slapton Sands incident on 28 April 1944. Eisenhower put the invasion on hold until all the bodies had been recovered by divers.
Lt Cdr Beckham was a fastidious keeper of virtually all the paperwork that related to his naval career, and especially those of ephemeral course work. He was historically aware and kept the flag of his mine sweeper together with all the D-Day documents that were issued to him. Because inclusion in the “BIGOT” list was very tightly controlled, this is, as far as can be ascertained, the only set of Operational Orders that went into battle and survived the strict destruction order. The US Naval archives retain a file copy of Operation Order 3-44. Typical for working papers, this copy of Order 3-44 contains marginalia in the CO’s distinctive handwriting, made before and during the mission. (See page 8).
This archive does not contain his Bronze Star Medal and related paperwork which was retained by the family.
Provenance:
The originator died in 1977, then family by descent. Given to present owner in 2013.
D-DAY COLLECTION:
1. US 48-State flag flown on board USS YMS 381 on D-Day. This is one one of the very first US flags that ever flew on the French Coast on D-Day. Flag with metal grommets, 30-inch masthead with faintly visible stamp “US Ensign”. This flag was mailed to a recipient in Tarrytown, NY, on September 21, 1944 from France and was returned to the owner at a later stage. With original address label, cut out from the mailing envelope with some brown backing paper. Original signed and dated US-Customs Declaration slip.
NOTE: Unlike other D-Day flags that have come to market, the provenance of this flag is supported by extensive corroborative evidence and does not have to rely solely on the assertion by Beckham that it was flown on his vessel as his signed US Customs slip and the mailing label with which the flag was sent to the USA from France are present. In view of the fact that this archive is so comprehensive and includes all the “Top Secret” paperwork that was issued to him for D-Day, this can be taken as very strong indicators that the flag is genuine.
ORIGINAL D-DAY DOCUMENTS:
2. D-Day Operation Order numbered 3-44. Serial number 00010. Dated 15 May 1944.
“Top Secret – Bigot – Neptune” Bound at top with brown shoe lace, appx pp. 400. Mimeographed with printed original “Utah Beach” maps. Mine sweeping plan. One of 757 copies (according to distribution list) With all maps, overlays and inserts as called for. Hand annotated by Beckham.
3. Operation Order No. 1-44. Serial number 0001 (One of 33 copies according to distribution list, mimeographed). Task Organization (Assault Phase). Sweeper Units Four and Five Dated 2 June 1944. pp. 3. With Annexe Mine Sweeping Plan, 2 June 1944, pp 2. Appendix One “Dan Characteristics”, p. 1. Annex Baker Communication Plan, pp 2.
Distribution list, p. 1 with Mine sweeping plan (map) And Fuel, Provisions, Wrecks comments with crude map on reverse, pp. 4.
4. Naval Expeditionary Force Minesweeping Instructions (XFMI). Section III only - Tactics and Operations. Heavy paper bound folder tied with brown shoe lace. Cover dated 28 April. Text dated 8 May 1944. Copy number 206, pp. 25 plus 5 XFMI diagrams. Signed on title page by Admiral Ramsay.
5. Hardbound copy no. 1775 of ON1 Appendix VII Annexe C Neptune Batteries, pp. 46, including large folded map: ON 1, App 7, Annexe C Showing coastline and range of German batteries on Utah beach North, numbered 2613.
6. Hardbound coastal recognition “Booklet H” “France, North Coast”, pp. 5. With photographic coastal silhouette. Prints are glued together to form a continuous image With printed instruction sheet and Template in book pocket.
7. Hardbound coastal recognition “Booklet M” “France, North Coast” pp. 27. With photographic coastal silhouette, Prints are glued together to form a continuous image. With printed instruction sheet and Template in book pocket
8. Twelfth Fleet, France Mimeographed report number 00477. Receipt date stamp 24 Dec 1944 (Distribution List refers to 68 copies). “Minesweeping diary of the Western Task Force”, p. 1 plus pp. 21. Appendix 1 to Section E para 4d p. 1 Appendix 2 to section “E” para 24. Beaches Area Minesweeping routine p. 1. Appendix 3 The minesweepers guide to WTF area, p. 1.
CAREER DOCUMENTS & NAVAL TRAINING DOCUMENTS:
Further to the D-Day items, The Beckham collection seemingly contains all paperwork related to Beckham's military service alongside his training with a total weight of about 20 kg. Some of these documents are incredibly scarce and sought after in their own right.
Given the vastness of the collection, a full list and high res images will be supplied upon request. The D-Day part of the collection as detailed above is complete.
