Description:

GEN. FRANZ HALDER'S MAP OF THE DRIVE OVER THE SUSHA RIVER AT MZENSK
An important hand-drawn situation map from the personal files of German Gen. FRANZ HALDER (1884–1972) documenting the late October, 1941 German drive towards Moscow as part of Operation Typhoon, and specifically showing the assault across the River Susha in the region of the city of Mzensk. The drawing is titled: 'Skizze [sketch] 1 Anstazt des Angriffs uber die Susha [Starting Point of the Attack Over the Susha], drawn at a scale of 1:250,000 with a 0–15 km. bar at lower left. The map, 1p. 4to., was executed in pencil, with black india ink used to outline prominent landmarks, including Mzensk, the village of Shalamovo, and the Susha and Oka Rivers. It shows the German drive on Moscow following the capture of Orel which had fallen three weeks earlier, by way of the important manufacturing center of Tula, the road to which is shown heading east. German forces and movement, including those of the 3rd and 4th Panzer Divisions, are further depicted in blue ink, while pockets of stiff Soviet resistance, shown as red bars, would further slow the Germans' efforts to capture Moscow. Shows a few folds overall, otherwise in very good condition. The fighting around Mzensk in October 1941 became one of the most notable clashes of Operation Typhoon, as Soviet forces, including units equipped with the new T-34 tanks, put up fierce resistance. The engagements here inflicted heavy losses on the German 3rd and 4th Panzer Divisions, slowing the momentum of the German advance. This sector is historically significant because it demonstrated, for the first time in the campaign, the superiority of the T-34 in direct combat, forcing the Wehrmacht to adapt its tactics. The resistance at Mzensk contributed to the overall delay of the German drive on Moscow, which, combined with logistical strains and worsening weather, played a decisive role in the eventual failure of Operation Typhoon.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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