Lot 686

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Description:

CAPTURED JAPANESE MAP OF IWO JIMA, USED BY MARINES TO TAKE THE ISLAND
A historic map of Iwo Jima captured during an assault by Marines who in turn used the map to plot attacks on Japanese positions based on information contained in the document. The 41" x 32" map, printed in Japanese, shows the I.J.A. and I.J.N. defensive lines in blue. The Japanese had labeled their positions and fields of fire in brown grease pencil. Six artillery firing positions north-east of Motoyama Airfield are shown, along with the range and fields of fire of the weapons emplaced at each position. Japanese defensive lines and pockets of reserves are also marked ion blue. The Americans clearly studied this map carefully, as their red grease pencil markings show their intention to split those defensive lines at the center and then flank the Japanese to the west - which is exactly what they accomplished. Also marked are the prime landing beaches in the south of the island. The map originally had a few very small areas of loss at folds and margins, but has been professionally conserved and framed. This map was captured by Corporal Horace Thompson Jerald, a pioneer/engineer in the 19th Marine Regiment of the 3rd Marines Division. Jerald's job was to use a flamethrower and C-4 explosive satchel charges to destroy enemy fixed positions in support of accompanying combat infantry. On Iwo Jima, Jerald destroyed a bunker complex in Cushman's Pocket with explosive charges, killing 250 Japanese. Jerald then ventured into the bunker, where he dispatched several wounded Japanese. He brought out this map as a souvenir. The Japanese on Iwo Jima anticipated an attack for months in advance, and prepared accordingly. Their hope was to draw the Marines into pre-mapped killing zones where they could be annihilated with artillery and machine gun fire from hidden bunkers and caves. This map, captured at the most fortuitous moment, no doubt helped save a great many American lives. Included are Jerald's service records from the National Archives (there is a wartime photo of Jerald in uniform in the file) and several illustrations from a captured Japanese manual on fortifications, retrieved and kept by him from the destroyed bunker. With conservator's report.

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March 18, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$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 + $10,000