Description:

MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE MAP OF LANDRES-ET-ST.-GEORGES, USED BY COL. WILLIAM J. DONOVAN
WILLIAM J. DONOVAN (1883-1959) 'Wild Bill', American brigadier general chosen by Roosevelt to head the O.S.S. (precursor to the C.I.A.). Donovan planted over 16,000 people behind enemy lines and developed elaborate plans to subvert Axis military operations. During World War I, Donovan served as colonel of the U.S. 165th Regiment, originally the famous 69th New York Infantry 'Fighting Irish'. The regiment would distinguish itself at the Second Battle of the Marne, the Ourcq River during the Aisne-Marne Offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Interesting 1:20,000-scale map, 24 x 34.25 in., depicting the environs of the commune of Remonville, the site of heavy fighting during the second phase of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Oct. 4-28, 1918, as American forces tried to break the main German ‘Krimhilde Stellung' defensive point on the Hindenburg Line. Most interestingly, the map shows the Cote de Chatillon, where the 42nd Infantry Division under Brig. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, including the 165th, finally broke through the German defenses, enabling them to clear the Argonne Forest. Just to the north of the Cote de Chatillon appears the commune of Landres-et-St.-Georges, the site of action on Oct. 14-15 which garnered Donovan his Medal of Honor, awarded post-war after lobbying by his friend Father Francis P. Duffy, chaplain of the 165th. From Donovan's citation: ‘The President of the United States of America… takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Joseph "Wild Bill" Donovan… for extraordinary heroism on 14 and 15 October 1918, while serving as Commanding Officer, 165th Infantry, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Landres-et-St. Georges, France. Lieutenant Colonel Donovan personally led the assaulting wave in an attack upon a very strongly organized position, and when our troops were suffering heavy casualties he encouraged all near him by his example, moving among his men in exposed positions, reorganizing decimated platoons, and accompanying them forward in attacks. When he was wounded in the leg by machine-gun bullets, he refused to be evacuated and continued with his unit until it withdrew to a less exposed position.' The map is undated, but is marked at bottom right as being prepared and printed by ‘G2C', the topographical and map-making branch of the American Expeditionary Force intelligence corps. Shows some small tears to the edges, with folds overall and mud stains to the verso consistent with field use, otherwise in very good condition. This map, along with other maps and documents, was contained within two of Donovan's footlockers purchased by our consignor and previously sold by us.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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