Description:

GEN. FRANZ HALDER'S MAPS OF THE INVASION AND CONQUEST OF FRANCE (15)
Fine collection of 15 early photo-reproduced maps, each 13 x 11 in. and depicting a certain period of time during the 1940 German invasion and defeat of France, from mid–June to 25 June 1940, all obtained from the estate of German Gen. FRANZ HALDER (1884-1972). The maps, which are hand-numbered in red indelible pencil, are contained within a period folder with paper label reading: 'Thema: MS-P-208 'Westfeldzug 1940' IV Karten'. These maps represent the second phase of the Western Campaign ('Fall Rot') after Dunkirk, and are undated but appear to be of wartime creation. One map shows the German and French dispositions on the evening of 13 June 1940 as German Army Groups A and B are pressing south from the Somme and Aisne river lines. French forces are depicted retreating to secondary positions, already weakened after the loss of northern France. Clear encirclement fronts are forming in Champagne and eastern France. Another map presents the OKW/OKH directives of 14 and 20 June 1940, its objective being the 'Vernichtung und Verfolgung' ('destruction and pursuit') of retreating French forces. It lays down axes of advance, including Army Group A toward Dijon–Lyon, Army Group C into Lorraine and Alsace (crossing the Moselle and Saar), and Army Group B pushing south into central France. This represents the formal shift from breakthrough to pursuit operations. A third map from June 16, 1940 shows the French front has collapsed in several sectors as German panzer divisions penetrate deep into the interior of France. Yet another map from June 20 shows German forces have crossed the Loire in multiple places, Army Group C has broken through the Maginot positions and advanced into Lorraine and Alsace, and French armies are disintegrating, many units encircled in eastern France. A map from June 25 0135 hours presents the final situation at the time of the armistice. German forces stand deep in central and southern France, with spearheads near the Spanish frontier. The French Army is effectively destroyed as a coherent fighting force. The map highlights the completeness of the German operational victory — northern, eastern, and western French armies are surrounded or dissolved. Additional June 1940 situation maps track the German advance step by step from the Somme/Aisne breakthrough into the heart of France. These 15 maps illustrate how German forces transitioned from a breakthrough (Fall Gelb) to systematic pursuit and destruction operations (Fall Rot).The maps bear binder holes at top and have curled a bit, some displaying chips and short tears at margins, most overall very good.

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

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$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