Description:

165th INFANTRY REGIMENT MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE ADVANCE MAP, 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. Large, finely-detailed map showing the advance of the U.S. 165th Regiment during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest and deadliest campaign in the history of the U.S. Army, from Oct. 2 to Nov. 8, 1918. Using a 33.5 x 63 in. French map of the commune of Mezier as a base, the map bears the hand-inked title at top right: ‘History 165 Inf. No. 5 Showing Route of March Taken in Argonne Meuse Offensive, Positions Held Previous to the Attack, Division Sector, and Line of Enemy Resistance. Showing Route of March, Towns Occupied and Position of Advance battalion in the Advance on Sedan.' Below appears the subtitle: ‘Prepared by Regtl. Intelligence 165 Inf.', with the regimental intelligence officer, 1st Lt. Harold L. Allen, signing below. The map is further marked at bottom right: ‘Sergt. T[heodore] C. Ranscht Regtl. Intelligence 165 Inf March 20, 1919'. The route of advance is marked in blue ink and yellow and green indelible pencil, and follows the 165th from its arrival from the St. Mihiel salient all the way to its furthest point of advance by patrols to Sedan on Nov. 8, days before Armistice Day. Hand-written and colored paper labels affixed to the map show the regiment's progress by date, as well as notable engagements, including the Kreimhilde Stellung, a German fortified position which stalled the advance from Oct. 11 to Nov. 1, and an attack on Verriers on Nov. 5. The map shows folds overall with some internal splits thereto, and some chips to the edges, otherwise in very good overall condition, making for an impressive display. Originally the famous 69th New York Infantry 'Fighting Irish', the 165th 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, for his actions leading an assault on the Kreimhilde Stellung at Landres-et-St. George, depicted on the map presented here. This example, 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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