Description:

MAPS USED BY GEN. JOHN PERSHING IN THE PLANNING OF MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE, ENDING WORLD WAR I
Historic group of eight maps used by A.E.F. Gen. John J. Pershing in the planning of the critical Meuse-Argonne offensive by the A.E.F., September 26, 1918 until the Armistice on November 11, a total of 47 days. The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the largest in U.S. military history, involving 1.2 million American soldiers. These maps originate directly from the estate of Gen. ROBERT C. RICHARDSON who served on Pershing's staff and was crucial in the planning of the attack. Included is: 4" x 23" French map overprinted by the 29th Engineers, titled: "CONFIDENTIAL G-2, FIRST ARMY, NOV. 9, 1918 OPERATION OF NOV. 1-7, 1918...", showing the advance of allied forces each day; printed map in French, 34" x 30", heavily annotated and diagrammed in black ink: "SECRET" and showing positions, objectives, "ARTILLERY NEUTRALIZATION...HOSTILE POSITIONS...", etc.; a 33" x 23" French map overprinted in red by the 29th Engineers, also marked "SECRET MAP ROOM, G-3, G.H.Q....ARTILLERY NEUTRALIZATION AREA", shows objectives and areas to be shelled; a 31" x 22" hand-colored map showing advances from Sep. 26 to Oct. 30, 1918; a 38" x 20" map very heavily annotated with troop movements, lines, positions, advances, etc., obviously used "on the fly"; a second such map, 22" x 14; a third such map, 18" x 14"; and a French printed map, 33" x 23, showing region of Melun, three positions marked. All are in overall very good condition. ROBERT C. RICHARDSON, JR. (1882-1954) American Army general, Commanding General of the Hawaiian Department, Military Governor of Hawaii, and commanded all Army personnel in the Pacific Ocean Areas and Mid-Pacific. During World War I, Richardson served as Liaison Officer for G.H.Q Allied Headquarters and with American Armies, Corps, and Divisions during the combat operations of 1918. Richardson was one of the chief planners of the Saint-Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives, reporting directly to Pershing.

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July 8, 2015 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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