Description:

‘MAP TO ILLUSTRATE THE MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE', OWNED BY COL. WILLIAM J. DONOVAN
WILLIAM J. DONOVAN (1883-1959) 'Wild Bill', American brigadier general chosen by Roosevelt to head the O.S.S. (precursor to the C.I.A.) Donovan planted over 16,000 people behind enemy lines and developed elaborate plans to subvert Axis military operations. During World War I, Donovan served as colonel of the U.S. 165th Regiment, originally the famous 69th New York Infantry 'Fighting Irish'. The regiment would distinguish itself at the Second Battle of the Marne, the Ourcq River during the Aisne-Marne Offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Donovan himself would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in mid-October, 1918. Presented here is a fine map, 28.5 x 31 in., titled ‘Map to Illustrate the Meuse-Argonne Offensive – First, Second and Last Phases', with the subtitle: ‘To Accompany Report of the Commander in Chief [John J. Pershing], November 20, 1918. It is marked at bottom right: ‘Printed at Base Printing Plant, 29th Engineers, U.S. Army 1918'; this outfit would produce many of the maps used in the field by the American Expeditionary Force throughout the Western Front. The map is well-labeled to indicate the overall progress of the Offensive, the largest and deadliest campaign in the history of the U.S. Army, which lasted from September 26 to November 8, 1918, when it was brought to an abrupt halt by the Armistice on November 11. Features labeled include the American sector boundaries, the overall direction of attack of the French Fourth Army, the American lines of advance during each phase, the positions of each division involved in the push, the lines of French colonial troops held in reserve, and the positions of German defensive lines (in red). Shows heavy folds, with a 2 in. tear at the bottom left edge, else very good, making for a fine display. The 165th would find itself in the thick of the fighting throughout the campaign, with Donovan receiving his aforementioned Medal of Honor for his actions leading an assault on the Kreimhilde Stellung defensive strongpoint at Landres-et-St. George. This map, along with other maps and documents, was contained within two of Donovan's footlockers purchased by our consignor and previously sold by us.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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