WWII Secret D-Day Intelligence Bulletin No 19 Operation Overlord US Fleet
$6,500.00
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Original World War II U.S. Navy SECRET after-action intelligence bulletin documenting the naval operations, battlefield results, and lessons learned from D-Day.
Issued by the United States Fleet, Headquarters of the Commander in Chief, on December 20, 1944, this wartime report is officially titled:
“Battle Experience: Supporting Operations for the Invasion of Northern France—June 1944”
Secret Information Bulletin No. 19 was prepared for commissioned naval officers using contemporary war diaries and reports submitted by commanders and ships that participated in Operation Overlord. Rather than presenting a later historian’s account, it records the observations, conclusions, and recommendations of the men responsible for supporting the invasion.
Commanding officers describe what occurred during the operation, evaluate the effectiveness of naval gunfire and other combat measures, identify problems encountered, and recommend improvements for future amphibious operations.
The extensive contents include:
• Assault Force “O” operations supporting Omaha Beach
• Western Naval Task Force organization and assault routes
• Omaha and Utah Beach minefields and swept channels
• Naval bombardment and shore fire-control operations
• Pointe du Hoc and the Vierville–Colleville sector
• German coastal defenses and resistance
• Casualties, damage, and vessel losses
• Communications, radar, codes, antiaircraft defense, ammunition, and weather
• Detailed operational maps and charts
• Contemporary photographs of German positions damaged by U.S. naval gunfire
• Combat observations and recommendations from commanding officers
• Immediate lessons learned during the Normandy invasion
Ships discussed include USS Texas, USS Nevada, USS Arkansas, USS Tuscaloosa, USS Augusta, and numerous destroyers and supporting vessels.
The scarcity of this bulletin is inherent in its original purpose and handling instructions. It was classified SECRET, issued for controlled naval use rather than public distribution, and required to be safeguarded under U.S. Navy regulations. Most significantly, recipients were expressly directed to destroy the bulletin by burning when it was no longer required—with no report of destruction necessary.
At the time this listing was prepared, no other original copy of Secret Information Bulletin No. 19 could be located publicly offered for sale. Surviving examples appear to be exceptionally scarce, particularly outside institutional or archival holdings.
The bulletin contains preliminary material followed by Chapter 73, paginated 73-1 through 73-55, with extensive operational text, maps, charts, and photographic plates. Its front cover retains the prominent red SECRET designation and the warning:
“This bulletin and the information contained herein must not fall into the hands of the enemy.”
Accompanied by a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity from Premier Relics and supporting documentation from the previous seller concerning its origin within a preserved collection of United States Fleet Battle Experience and Secret Information Bulletins. The certificate represents the previous seller’s authentication and is not an independent third-party opinion.
Condition: Original softcover wartime publication with expected age and handling wear. Covers show scattered marks and spotting, light edge and corner wear, and a handwritten identification notation at the upper right. The original staples exhibit oxidation with localized rust staining and wear around the staple holes. Interior pages have age toning and occasional scattered spotting but remain clear and readable. The maps, photographs, and printed content present exceptionally well. Please examine all photographs carefully for the exact condition.
The decorative letter opener shown for scale and display is not included.
An extraordinary original D-Day document and potential centerpiece for an advanced collection devoted to Operation Overlord, Omaha Beach, the United States Navy, naval warfare, military intelligence, or World War II history.
Professionally packed, fully insured, and shipped with signature confirmation.
SKU V/3
WWII Secret D-Day Intelligence Bulletin No 19 Operation Overlord US Fleet
$6,500.00
Issued by the United States Fleet, Headquarters of the Commander in Chief, on December 20, 1944, this wartime report is officially titled:
“Battle Experience: Supporting Operations for the Invasion of Northern France—June 1944”
Secret Information Bulletin No. 19 was prepared for commissioned naval officers using contemporary war diaries and reports submitted by commanders and ships that participated in Operation Overlord. Rather than presenting a later historian’s account, it records the observations, conclusions, and recommendations of the men responsible for supporting the invasion.
Commanding officers describe what occurred during the operation, evaluate the effectiveness of naval gunfire and other combat measures, identify problems encountered, and recommend improvements for future amphibious operations.
The extensive contents include:
• Assault Force “O” operations supporting Omaha Beach
• Western Naval Task Force organization and assault routes
• Omaha and Utah Beach minefields and swept channels
• Naval bombardment and shore fire-control operations
• Pointe du Hoc and the Vierville–Colleville sector
• German coastal defenses and resistance
• Casualties, damage, and vessel losses
• Communications, radar, codes, antiaircraft defense, ammunition, and weather
• Detailed operational maps and charts
• Contemporary photographs of German positions damaged by U.S. naval gunfire
• Combat observations and recommendations from commanding officers
• Immediate lessons learned during the Normandy invasion
Ships discussed include USS Texas, USS Nevada, USS Arkansas, USS Tuscaloosa, USS Augusta, and numerous destroyers and supporting vessels.
The scarcity of this bulletin is inherent in its original purpose and handling instructions. It was classified SECRET, issued for controlled naval use rather than public distribution, and required to be safeguarded under U.S. Navy regulations. Most significantly, recipients were expressly directed to destroy the bulletin by burning when it was no longer required—with no report of destruction necessary.
At the time this listing was prepared, no other original copy of Secret Information Bulletin No. 19 could be located publicly offered for sale. Surviving examples appear to be exceptionally scarce, particularly outside institutional or archival holdings.
The bulletin contains preliminary material followed by Chapter 73, paginated 73-1 through 73-55, with extensive operational text, maps, charts, and photographic plates. Its front cover retains the prominent red SECRET designation and the warning:
“This bulletin and the information contained herein must not fall into the hands of the enemy.”
Accompanied by a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity from Premier Relics and supporting documentation from the previous seller concerning its origin within a preserved collection of United States Fleet Battle Experience and Secret Information Bulletins. The certificate represents the previous seller’s authentication and is not an independent third-party opinion.
Condition: Original softcover wartime publication with expected age and handling wear. Covers show scattered marks and spotting, light edge and corner wear, and a handwritten identification notation at the upper right. The original staples exhibit oxidation with localized rust staining and wear around the staple holes. Interior pages have age toning and occasional scattered spotting but remain clear and readable. The maps, photographs, and printed content present exceptionally well. Please examine all photographs carefully for the exact condition.
The decorative letter opener shown for scale and display is not included.
An extraordinary original D-Day document and potential centerpiece for an advanced collection devoted to Operation Overlord, Omaha Beach, the United States Navy, naval warfare, military intelligence, or World War II history.
Professionally packed, fully insured, and shipped with signature confirmation.
SKU V/3