Description:

BATTLE OF ST. MIHIEL PATROL INTELLIGENCE MAP, USED 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. Very interesting original hand-drawn map used by Donovan during the Battle of St. Mihiel 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. The map, 13 x 12.5in. is executed on thin tracing paper in pencil, clearly intended to be overlaid on a larger printed map, and shows a 1:10,000-scale view of the road approaching the village of Dampvitoux (near Chambley), near the northernmost line reached by advancing American forces during the battle on Sep. 12, 1918. It is titled ‘Information Secured From Patrols', with American lines shown in blue indelible pencil, and German defensive obstacles in red. These include a pillbox, a machine gun position in a nearby wood, and a detachment of soldiers at the Marimbois farm, labeled ‘Where patrol saw Germans on road who opened fire'. The verso bears the pencil notation: ‘Patrol Map and Information obtained, Sector Occupation at Bois Domvitoux [sic]'. The map shows folds overall, clearly from field use, but is otherwise in very good, easily legible condition. SOLD WITH: The corresponding 1:10,000-scale map of the environs of Dampvitoux, 41.25 x 29 in., onto which the above map is intended to be overlaid. Dated July 19, 1918 in French at top right, this map, most interestingly, shows a ‘Parc d'aviation', or airfield, located at the Marimbois farm where Donovan's patrols encountered German soldiers. Shows heavy soiling and several large holes to the bottom quarter, still very good. Two pieces. These maps, along with other maps and documents, were 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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Bid Increments
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$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000