837Maps, France 1944

2008-11-18T17:34:31Z

Yesterday, I received in the mail my grandfather's cloth escape maps of France, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. He flew a Piper Cub for the US Army, mainly shuttling brass between England and France. Never used, the maps went from a pocket in his jacket to an envelope in a foot locker; they're in great condition.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/3041406288_2d4eaf05bd_d.jpg

Above is a 1:2,000,000 scale map entitled "Zones of France", second edition, and dated "MAR 44". Silk or rayon. I know little about the origins of this one.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/3040723569_f403e6e398_d.jpg

It features 4 hand-drawn "placemarks" South of Cherbourg. Positions of forces? Airfields supplied with beer?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/3039466501_5c36eab3f0_d.jpg

I've quickly found much more information about the 1:1,000,000 scale 43 Series map above. It is most likely rayon, as silk was then in short supply. Map C on one side, D on the reverse.

I'll be having these framed soon.

Comments

1Re: Maps, France 1944

Guillaume, 2008-11-18T21:00:16Z

That's a very interesting set of maps indeed ! I think hand-drawn placemarks are German troops positions, as Canisy, south of Saint-Lô was an important part of Atlantic Wall. Saint-Jean de Daye has been an important victory of allied forces, on the 7th of july 1944. Avranches has been a major battle too, but later, around the 31st. Thanks for sharing this !

2Re: Maps, France 1944

Sean, 2008-11-18T22:34:40Z

Thanks for the context, Guillaume.

3Re: Maps, France 1944

Patrick, 2008-11-19T08:41:04Z

Interesting post. Just to let you know that these kind of maps, digitally produced on tafetta (artificial silk) are being used by the Netherlands Armed forces (SF and pilots) today in Afghanistan. The maps still serve the same purpose as 60 years ago during WWII. There is a bit more survival information printed on them. Regards

4Re: Maps, France 1944

Jack, 2008-11-19T17:45:52Z

Speaking of survival, take a look at the DoD Evasion Chart (EVC) "produced on a strong, moisture-resistant polyester material (spin-bonded olefin)"--purportedly an important part of Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady's survival after being shot down in Bosnia: http://www.nga.mil/portal/site/nga01/index.jsp?epi-content=GENERIC&itemID=17386591e1b3af00VgnVCMServer23727a95RCRD&beanID=1629630080&viewID=Article Note also the background note concerning the EVC: "The history of the [EVC] goes back to charts printed on rayon during the 1940s, and to cloth 'blood chits' printed in various languages that identified American airmen and offered rewards for safe passage during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts."

5Re: Maps, France 1944

Sean, 2008-11-19T18:19:40Z

Anybody recognize, or better yet: have a reference for, the symbology in the "Zones of France" detail image?

6Re: Maps, France 1944

Guillaume, 2008-11-20T13:19:21Z

You have the three main zones : annexed zone at north-east, dedicated to future colonization by german settlers, the occupied zone in north and west, including Paris, and the "free" zone, in the south, which will stay under direct franch govermenment of Vichy until november 11th 1942 (full occupation). I guess blue lines along the coasts show restricted zones of security, to avoid a sea attack from the allies. You have some good infos (in french...) here : http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_libre Regards, Guillaume

7Re: Maps, France 1944

Sean, 2008-11-20T17:50:28Z

Guillaume, I'm thinking specifically about the placemarks. I think I've found an explanation at http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/101-5-1/f545-c4a.htm. Unless somebody used this map to track the location of a particular friendly unit in the campaign, you're right about it being pre-landing German positions. Here's a map showing German units arrayed diagonally across the peninsula on 6 June 1944: mp1.jpg.

8Re: Maps, France 1944

Guillaume, 2008-11-20T18:15:22Z

Indeed, but it highly depends of the precise date on which the placemarks have been drawn. Things moved quickly during that summer, and what was a German position soon became an allied one !

9Re: Maps, France 1944

MatthieuR, 2008-11-27T15:41:39Z

I confirm all the infos given by Guillaume, and I also agree that it is interesting information in a very good quality shape !!! Keep this maps with you, they may become really researched in a couple of years !

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