Original Item. Only One Available. This is a very interesting grouping of two large-format German maritime maps, consisting of an official Kriegsmarine nautical chart of western Iceland, corrected in December 1944, and an annotated map of the English Channel recording merchant shipping losses during WWII.

The larger chart measures approximately 59 1/16” x 39 9/16” [150 x 100.5 cm] when unfolded. Titled Europäisches Nordmeer – Westküste von Island: Breidi Fjördr (European Northern Sea – West Coast of Iceland: Breiðafjörður), it covers the extensive bay and island groups along Iceland's western coast. The chart is printed at a scale of 1:100,000 at latitude 65°12' and bears the original cartographic date of 1922. It contains detailed depth soundings, coastal contours, navigational hazards, bearings, and maritime routes, together with supplementary harbor and coastal plans, including an inset of Stykkishólmur.

The chart retains its German naval eagle and swas. insignia, along with a circular Kriegsmarinewerft Kiel – Kartengruppe stamp identifying the chart group of the Kriegsmarine Naval Shipyard at Kiel. An additional identification marking reads:

Breidi Fjördr

D. 256

Korr. XII.44

The designation identifies chart D.256, with Korr. XII.44 indicating a correction dated December 1944. The chart therefore combines an original 1922 cartographic basis with wartime revisions, while its official naval markings associate this copy with the Kriegsmarine's chart holdings at Kiel.

The second map measures approximately 56 5/16” x 39 3/8” [143 x 100 cm] when unfolded. It is a German-language geographical outline map, printed at a scale of 1:1,000,000, covering southern England, the English Channel, northern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Numerous important coastal ports and cities are identified, including London, Southampton, Portsmouth, Dover, Cherbourg, Calais, Dunkirk, Ostend, Antwerp, and Amsterdam.

Its most interesting feature is the collection of handwritten ship-loss annotations, identifying vessels sunk during the war by name, nationality, date, and gross registered tonnage. Small crosses accompany several entries, including the French passenger steamship Meknès, recorded as 6,127 BRT and dated July 25, 1940, and the British steamship Broadhurst, recorded as 1,013 BRT and dated July 26, 1940. Additional entries identify further British merchant vessels lost in the waters surrounding Britain. The annotations give the map the character of a maritime casualty record, although the precise date and purpose of their compilation remain unidentified.

Both maps remain in good overall condition, showing expected age toning, scattered discoloration, and prominent storage folds. The Iceland chart retains clear cartographic detail and well-preserved official markings, with light surface spotting and minor marginal wear. The English Channel map exhibits somewhat more pronounced fold wear, small edge tears, and localized stress and separation at several fold intersections. Its printed coastlines and handwritten entries remain legible. Careful handling is recommended when unfolding these large paper sheets.

Historical Context

Nautical charts were fundamental to German naval operations during both World Wars. The Kriegsmarine maintained an extensive inventory of hydrographic charts, covering European waters and distant maritime regions, which supplied navigators with the geographical information needed for coastal navigation, passage planning, and operations at sea. Existing charts remained in circulation for many years, receiving corrections as new surveys and navigational information became available. Maintaining these records was particularly important during wartime, when a vessel's navigation could depend upon accurate information concerning depths, reefs, coastal landmarks, and harbor approaches.

The western Icelandic waters covered by the first chart presented considerable navigational challenges. Breiðafjörður is a broad, relatively shallow bay containing thousands of islands, islets, and skerries, with tidal differences reaching approximately six meters in some areas. Strong currents, exposed rocks, and extensive shallow passages made reliable hydrographic information essential for vessels navigating between the islands or approaching the small coastal settlements.

Iceland's location also became strategically important during the Battle of the Atlantic. Positioned between North America and the British Isles, the island lay near the maritime routes carrying Allied troops, equipment, and supplies across the northern Atlantic.

Following Germany's occupation of Denmark in April 1940, Britain became increasingly concerned about the possibility of German forces establishing a foothold in Iceland. British troops landed on May 10, 1940, occupying the neutral island to prevent its use as a German naval or air base. American forces began replacing the British garrison in July 1941, before the United States formally entered WWII.

During the following years, Iceland developed into an important Allied base for Atlantic convoy protection, maritime reconnaissance, and the movement of aircraft between North America and Europe. Allied naval and air operations from the island contributed to efforts to detect and counter German U-boats threatening the transatlantic shipping routes. The strategic importance of Icelandic waters continued throughout the war, making the surrounding coastline relevant to German naval navigation and intelligence work even while the island remained under Allied control.

The English Channel map relates to another major area of German naval activity. After the German occupation of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands in 1940, the Kriegsmarine gained access to numerous ports facing the English Channel and southern North Sea. These bases supported operations against British coastal shipping, which remained essential for moving coal, industrial materials, and other supplies between British ports.

German Schnellboote, commonly called S-boats and known to British forces as E-boats, were particularly active in these waters. Their high speed, relatively small size, and torpedo armament made them effective for nighttime attacks against merchant vessels and escorted convoys. Operating from occupied continental ports, these boats could approach British coastal shipping lanes, launch torpedoes, and withdraw before heavier warships could intercept them.

One of the most tragic incidents associated with these operations was the sinking of the French passenger steamship Meknès on the night of July 24–25, 1940.

Following the French armistice, the Meknès departed Southampton carrying nearly 1,300 French naval personnel being repatriated to France. The ship was displaying French national identification and was illuminated when it encountered the German Schnellboot S 27 off the southern English coast. The vessel was subsequently torpedoed and sank within minutes, resulting in the deaths of several hundred passengers and crew. The attack attracted considerable attention because the ship was carrying French servicemen returning home after the cessation of hostilities between France and Germany.

Another recorded loss, the British cargo steamship Broadhurst, occurred during the attacks on coastal convoy CW.8 on July 26, 1940. The 1,013-gross-register-ton vessel was torpedoed by the German Schnellboot S 20 off the Sussex coast, with four crewmen losing their lives.

The attack formed part of a particularly destructive period for British coastal shipping. Convoy CW.8 had already suffered heavy Luftwaffe attacks as it passed through the Dover Strait, and German S-boats subsequently attacked vessels farther west along the coast. The British steamships London Trader and Lulonga were also sunk during the S-boat operations of July 26.

These incidents occurred during the early stages of the Battle of Britain, when German air and naval forces conducted sustained operations against shipping in the English Channel. Coastal convoys faced threats from aircraft, submarines, motor torpedo boats, and naval mines, requiring the Royal Navy to maintain escorts and defensive patrols along heavily trafficked routes.

The handwritten casualty entries on the English Channel map preserve the names and recorded particulars of vessels lost in this period, including ships associated with some of the earliest German S-boat attacks against British coastal shipping.