Description:

COLVILLE-SUR-MER OMAHA BEACH D-DAY MAP
Very important World War II map, 19 3/4" x 26", a 1:12,500-scale depiction of the Normandy village of Colville-sur-Mer and environs, the beach of which would be designated OMAHA during the Operation Neptune amphibious landings on D-Day, June 6, 1944. The map, prepared and released by the British in May of 1944, specifically depicts the Easy Red and Fox Green sections of the beach, and is extensively marked with the positions of German bunkers, gun batteries, minefields, anti-tank obstacles, staging areas, communication lines and other vital information in blue. A legend on the verso gives an explanation of each of the symbols used for this purpose; however, many of the beach defenses bear more detailed descriptions, such as "Triple Staggered Rows of Hedgehog" or "Ramp Type Obstacles", famously known as "Belgian gates". Disclaimers at the top of the map state: "This map will NOT be carried in operational aircraft" and "TOP SECRET until issued for briefing ground troops, thereafter SECRET", while a small caption at lower right indicates that the information presented was compiled from aerial photographs taken in advance of the invasion. A single hand-drawn arrow in pencil is visible in the Fox Green section of the beach, possibly the spot where the unit to which this map was issued was designated to land. The map was carried onto the beach on June 6th by Harold C. Sartorius of the336th Combat Engineer Battalion, 5th Engineer Special Brigade. Present with the map are copies of his Enlisted record, his Honorable Discharge certificate, his vaccination records, his certificate for the French Croix de Guerre awarded to his brigade, and most interestingly, his diary entry for June 6th, describing his landing on the beach, as well as listing the members of his unit killed, missing, or wounded in action. The map shows folds with slight splitting, small holes, wear and soiling from use, else very good.

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September 13, 2017 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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