Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent German WWII Luftwaffe air-navigation map titled LUFT-NAVIGATIONSKARTE IN MERKATORPROJEKTION (Air Navigation Map in Mercator Projection). The title is printed prominently across the upper border and is flanked by two Luftwaffe eagle insignia. Immediately beneath it is:

LUFT-NAVIGATIONSKARTE IN MERKATORPROJEKTION
;Maßstab auf 51° Breite 1 : 2 000 000

This translates to “Air Navigation Map in Mercator Projection, scale at 51° latitude 1:2,000,000.” At upper left is the additional designation:

Erweitertes Blatt Deutschland mit Jägernetz

or “Extended Germany Sheet with Fighter Grid.” The map covers an exceptionally broad portion of the European theater, extending from eastern England, the English Channel, and northern France across Germany and Central Europe into Poland, East Prussia, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and adjoining areas. Major cities including Paris, Berlin, and Warsaw are readily identifiable, along with major transportation routes and geographic features. It measures 34"W x 22 1/4", and is attached to a cloth backing. which allows it to fold up to a nice small 11 1/4" x 5 3/4" size.

One of the most interesting features is the prominent Luftwaffe Jägernetz, or fighter reporting grid, printed over the conventional geographic information in pink. Large sectors such as 05 Ost N, 15 Ost N, 25 Ost N, and associated subdivisions are further broken down into lettered squares such as AA, AB, AC, BA, BB, and so forth. This type of grid provided Luftwaffe personnel with a standardized means of describing locations without having to transmit lengthy geographical coordinates. German wartime fighter-control and air-defense mapping used such grid references to communicate aircraft and operational positions efficiently.

Another particularly desirable feature is the surviving 1942 magnetic-declination information printed along the upper edge:

Magnetische Mißweisung für 1942
10° W — Westliche Mißweisung
Jährliche Änderung 0,15°

This translates approximately to “Magnetic Declination for 1942, 10° West, Westerly Declination, annual change 0.15°.” Additional instructions indicate how the annual correction was to be applied for easterly or westerly declination. Across the chart, green lines marked with values such as 11° W, 10° W, 9° W, … allowed the navigator to compensate a magnetic compass reading according to geographic position.

The chart is highly detailed. Major railways are identified under the legend as Haupteisenbahnen, while Autobahnen are separately indicated. Elevations and distinctive terrain features are also plotted, including wichtige Höhen (important elevations), auffallende Gipfel (prominent peaks), and Steilstufen (steep escarpments).

This example is constructed as a folding cloth-backed map, a practical format well suited to repeated folding and use. It remains quite attractive for its age, with the printed colors and fine geographical detail still clearly visible. The pink Jägernetz markings, green magnetic-declination lines, red road system, waterways, and black transportation and geographic markings remain particularly easy to distinguish.

Condition is very good considering its intended working purpose and age. The map shows scattered age toning, light staining and soiling, and minor wear along the folds. There are also a few handwritten notes and notations present on the map, evidence of its having been handled and used; their exact date and authorship are unknown. Folded, it remains compact, while fully opened it presents an impressive and information-dense display of German WWII aerial navigation and cartography.