Description:

SECOND BATTLE OF THE MARNE 42nd INFANTRY DIVISION DISPOSITION MAP, 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. Donovan himself would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in mid-October, 1918. Presented here is an extremely important historical document, a small map, 13.5 x 16.5, hastily produced in the field on the verso of a section cut from an earlier French map using the hectograph, or gelatin duplicator, process, and depicting the environs of the villages of Auberive in the northwest, and La Cheppe in the south. Most interestingly, the map has been heavily annotated in ink and different colors of indelible pencil to show the disposition of different elements of the U.S. 42nd Infantry Division in preparation for the German Champagne-Marne Offensive, which was repulsed by Allied forces in what became known as the Second Battle of the Marne, lasting from July 15-18. The map provides a clear picture of the strategy of ‘defense in depth' devised by Ferdinand Foch, overall commander of the Allied forces, to stop the German offensive, of which the Allies were pre-warned thanks to a series of intelligence victories. The Allied front lines are shown at the top in red pencil, and are subdivided into six sectors with blue pencil, with code names written across the top in black ink: ‘Auberive'; ‘Taupiniere'; Forestiere'; Wacques'; ‘Wagram'; and ‘Cameroun'. An intermediate defensive line is marked in green pencil further south, with three areas denoting concentrations of troops of the 165th, 166th and 167th Infantry Regiments highlighted in blue, red and green pencil, respectively. Moving yet further south, the main defensive line is drawn in yellow pencil, with troops concentrations comprising the bulk of the 165th, 166th and 167th, as well as the 168th regiments, again marked in pencil. Behind the lines, concentrations of additional reserve forces, consisting of the French 149th, 150th and 151st Infantry Regiments, are outlined and marked with a flaming grenade symbol, widely used by French infantry units during the war. The headquarters of each regiment, as well as the 83rd and 84th Brigades, are marked with specific symbols, as is the overall headquarters of the 42nd Division, located to the northeast of the village of Vadenay. Finally, concentrations of the 149th Machine Gun Battalion and the 67th Field Artillery Brigade are outlined at the southern edge of the map. The map is stamped ‘Secret' in blue at bottom left, and a pencil note tabbed to the verso in the hand of 1st Lt. Harold L. Allen, intelligence officer of the 165th Regiment Headquarters Company, reads: ‘Dispositions of 42nd Div. For offensive of July 15, ‘19 [sic]'. Shows folds overall, consistent with field use, otherwise in very good to fine condition, making for an excellent display. 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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