Description:

(OMAHA BEACH) WILLIAM B. GARA'S MAPS OF THE D-DAY BEACHES
WILLIAM B. GARA (1917 - 2001) was an American Army Lieutenant Colonel, commander of the 1st Engineer Combat Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. Gara was a genuine war hero by any definition. He led his 700 men from North Africa to Sicily, he landed among the very first soldiers on Omaha Beach, was heavily engaged at the Battle of the Bulge, and fought into Germany until the end of the war. His most valiant service was at Omaha Beach where the 1st Engineers were tasked with landing minutes after the infantry, clearing obstacles to allow more landing craft to safely arrive, and continuing to clear barbed wire, mines, anti-tank obstacles and ravines, etc. from the beaches to a point a few miles inland to clear the path for infantry, tanks, and then truck transports. Under intense enemy small arms and anti-tank fire, Gara's engineers, along with elements of the 37th Engineers Battalion, opened the first and most important exit from Omaha Beach, E-1, allowing American GIs to flank the German defenses and begin their drive inland. By war's end, Gara had received two Silver Stars and two Bronze Stars. Set of 16 post-war printed maps owned by Gara, all from one of the printings of the 'American Forces in Action' series, each about 16 x 9.75 in. These detailed maps, used by Gara in preparing for his television and recorded appearances, include the titles: First Wave Landings, D-Day Objectives, Omaha Beach Terrain, Enemy Reinforcements, Later Assault Landings, Development of the Beachheads, The D-Day Beachheads, Evening of D-Day, Invasion Area, and much more. Fine condition. Obtained directly from Gara's estate.

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January 25, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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