Description:

BATTLE OF THE OURCQ RIVER ADVANCE 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. 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. Very large, historically important map, 54 x 41.75 in., a French ‘Plan Directure', or artillery map, constructed of two sheets joined at the center, providing a 1:20,000-scale view of the environs of the communes of Fere-en-Tardenois and Fisme, from the Ourcq River north to the Vesle. The map is annotated by hand in various colors of indelible pencil to show the disposition of the regiments comprising the U.S. 42nd Infantry Division following its hotly-contested crossing of the Ourcq on July 30, 1918. Depicted are the front lines as they appeared on Aug. 1, along with the advance of the Division towards the Vesle, before it was relieved just south of the river on Aug. 3. The sector of responsibility of each regiment comprising the division is clearly labeled and color-coded, from west to east: the 166th, in red; Donovan's 165th, in blue; the 167th, in yellow, and the 168th, in green. A small sheet has been tabbed to the verso, bearing a pencil notation in the hand of 1st Lt. Harold L. Allen, intelligence officer of the 165th Regiment Headquarters Company: ‘Map 1/20,000 Fisme Fere-en-Tardenois. Marked by G-2 42nd Div. to show limits of advance from Ourcq to the Vesle. (Should be pasted with Conde en Brie to make wall map)'. The verso additionally bears a faint but intriguing pencil inscription, possibly in Donovan's hand, and likely made in the heat of battle: ‘62nd French Company of 279th 1pm take farm Cayenne. [?] of Fere & Tard[enois], 12:30 heavy artillery destruction – Phone- can we spill on Meurey farm- No'. Fere-en-Tardenois, and particularly the Meurey farm, were the scenes of extremely heavy fighting during the division's crossing of the Ourcq on the 30th, with the 165th failing to take the farm in multiple assaults and being forced to halt overnight just outside of its premises. The map shows folds overall, with some interior splits and holes, and with some chips and tears to the edges, still in very good 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 Distinguished Service Cross and the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his actions while leading his battalion across the Ourcq at Villiers-sur-Fere, depicted on the map presented here, and capturing important German positions, during which he was wounded twice, and at the cost of hundreds of his men, including his adjutant, the poet Joyce Kilmer. By the time it was relieved by the 4th division on Aug. 3, the 42nd had suffered around 5,500 casualties, with the 165th alone suffering 1,517 killed, wounded or missing. Despite the heavy loss of life, the Battle of the Ourcq River is frequently overshadowed in histories of World War I by the Second Battle of the Marne immediately preceding it, and the Battle of St. Mihiel just afterwards. 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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