Original Item: One of a Kind. Just purchased at a recent military show, this is fantastic USGI bring back from the European Theater of WWII! This is a lovely Übersichtskarte 1 : 1 000 000 (Overview Map 1 to 1,000,000 Scale) of Frankreich (France), captured from a headquarters by a USGI. This was purchased directly from the family, and the story that came with it is that their grandfather had fought in France during WWII, and came back with the map folded up in his gear. He said that it was taken from a headquarters, though unfortunately we do not have any further information besides this.

The map looks to be civilian type, not military issue, but once the allies had gotten as far as this map shows, that would not have mattered anymore, and any maps that were available were used. The map shows the Allied advances from Operation Overlord (D-Day) in Normandy, as well as Operation Dragoon in Southern France, and also has details about the various units involved with each line of advance. We have compared the map to others from the period used in German headquarters, and the the style of writing and the types of drawing are consistent with the maps charting troop advances.

Many of the markings are painted on, while the symbols used for the various units are small pieces of paper glued into place. All of the lines of advance appear to be reaching a blue colored "front" area, which roughly corresponds to the Siegfried line. As assume the map was taken from Eastern France, probably shortly after the area it was being used in was abandoned by retreating German forces.

Most of the markings make sense on the map, except for 34-35 verwendungsbereite große Verbände zur Verfügung, shown in the sea next to Ipswich off the British coast. This seems to indicate some type of troop movements, or possibly medical supplies? We have not been able to determine the exact meaning.

Condition of the map is quite good considering what it must have been through. It definitely has some repairs on the back with tape, and it shows age toning and some staining, as well as some tearing around the edges. 

A fantastic USGI bring back from the European theater, ready to research and display!