Description:

GEN. FRANZ HALDER'S BATTLE MAP OF THE BATTLES FOR RZHEV
Original hand-drawn situation map from the personal files of German Gen. FRANZ HALDER (1884–1972) documenting the Leningrad-Novgorod offensive, specifically events on March 31, 1942 and the battles for Rzhev. The map was executed using india ink on coated map paper, 1p. 4to. in size, the drawing titled: 'Skizze 2 Angriff am 31.3.42' ('Battle on 30.3.42')The map is drawn on a scale of 1:50,000 with a 0–4 km bar. Terrain includes the area northwest of Vyazma along the Smolensk–Moscow highway, Vyazma, Petino, Lukyanovo, Godunovo, Gornevo, Shipino, Markovo, Shubrikovski, Voyakovo, and Roshnovo. The central German formation is 45. Infanterie-Division, with battalion/regimental tags such as I./100, I./101, I./106, and the divisional regiments 81 and 88. Soviet opposition is shown as blocking lines and local counter-moves astride the roads around Godunovo and along the highway approaches. A divisional attack/counterattack by 45th Infantry Division was undertaken to clear the villages north of the Autobahn and secure the road net around Lukyanovo–Godunovo–Shipino on 31 March 1942, with multiple battalions pushing from opposite directions to pinch Soviet forces off the approaches to Vyazma. This map shows how the Germans attempted to stabilize the front inside the Rzhev–Vyazma salient after the winter battles and allows researchers to correlate movements with war diaries and orders. We can see that by focusing on Godunovo–Lukyanovo–Shipino, control of road junctions, not broad territorial sweeps, governed the day's objectives. As a dated, hand-drawn staff 'Lage' sketch, it preserves what the divisional HQ planned and observed that day, including enemy counteractions. This local attack falls between larger phases later known as German Operation Seydlitz (July 1942) and Soviet Operation Mars (Nov 1942). A contemporaneous divisional map of 31 Mar 1942 showing 45th Infantry Division's coordinated thrusts to secure the northern approaches to Vyazma, a granular piece of evidence for reconstructing the Rzhev–Vyazma campaign at village scale.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

April 21, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000