Important WW2 Normandy Invasion Archive of Torpedoman's Mate Jerome Foley, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 30

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Arms and Armor Day 1: Live Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

May 6, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-05-06 10:00:00 2020-05-06 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Arms and Armor Day 1: Live Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/arms-and-armor-day-1-live-auction-5055
Cowan’s is pleased to offer for its May 2020 Premier Auction an enviable collection of fine antique arms and military accessories. While the entire sale is indeed a showcase of rare and desirable items, several lots showcased in the May sale are of special interest to advanced collectors. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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• Lot Description
  While the allied Invasion of France is usually remembered for the efforts of allied forces on the beaches of Normandy, the execution of the Invasion of Normandy and the eventual success of Operation Overlord included thousands of ships and tens of thousands sailors and marines, hundreds of aircraft, and over a million solders. Torpedoman's 2nd Class Jerome L. Foley was one of these countless working parts, enlisting in November of 1942, and joining Motor Torpedo Squadron 30 on February 15th, 1944.
  
  Squadron 30 arrived in England on June 7th, Operation Neptune lasted from June 6 through June 30. Under command of Lieutenant Robert L. Searles, USNR Squadron 30 ran twelve 78' Higgins Boats and PT Boats #450-461. On June 10th, Squadron 30 was assigned to the Western Task Force area, with PT 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, and 461 responsible for manning "The Mason Line," a 6 and a half-mile defensive line extending from St. Marcouf to the sea. Intended to protect the landing area from probing German fast-attack E-boats, the American PT's were often left to patrol for a week at a time without relief or assistance. According to the squadron's war diary, the next several weeks were spent patrolling, destroying mines, running medical supplies to and from hospital ships, and distributing mail. Working on a rotating schedule of relief, Squadron 30 kept a vigilant watch on the lines of defense, even after a major two-day storm on June 20th and 21st required extensive repairs to several vessels.
  
  Even after the securing of the beachhead and assault area, the Germans continued to put up a stiff resistance, with some areas of the channel remaining contested areas throughout the remainder of the war. In fact, the German Kriegsmarine and Artillery still posed a grave threat to the allied forces in the area, as was evidenced by actions taken on June 27, in which PT 457 and 459 joined the USS Shubrick in drawing fire from the German shore batteries, and destroying any ships attempting to lay mines in the channel. The squadron would be stationed in the channel area for the rest of the war, seeing action on multiple occasions including an attack by PT 458 and 459 in April 1945, in which the two vessels attacked German ships attempting to land on the Cherbourg Peninsula. The report states that under heavy fire from nearly 40 heavy-caliber guns from Alderney Island, the boats confronted an armed trawler and possible "E" boat, though poor radar contact and night conditions made the identification difficult. Both boats received engine damage from the enemy batteries, but were skillfully repaired while underway.
  
  This lot contains several important artifacts from Foley's time in Normandy, including two jackets, his cap, and a pair of leggings. Also included is his sea bag upon which his name and squadron are clearly stenciled. However, of greatest interest is a 48-star U.S. flag from one of the PT Boats that served in Squadron 30. Discovering the exact vessel upon which Foley served or from which the flag was taken would be an extremely difficult task, as PT boats often rotated and exchanged crew members as the mission required. Nevertheless, this archive represents an important window into the operations that made the largest amphibious invasion in history a success. Foley died in 2002 at the age of 79 and is buried in Butler County, Ohio.

  Condition

  For more information regarding this lot, please contact Cowan's Arms and Armor Department.
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