{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwi-313th-field-artillery-captured-german-artillery-map-of-verdun-area-taken-from-german-officer-attempting-to-destroy-it-blood-stained-25-x-33","title":"Original U.S. WWI 313th Field Artillery-Captured German Artillery Map of Verdun Area Taken from German Officer Attempting to Destroy it - Blood-Stained - 25 ½ x 33”","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a truly gruesome piece of World War I history, worthy of being professionally framed behind museum glass to be preserved for decades to come. This map explaining the movement of German troops was captured by Lieutenant Donald S. Stophlet, Battery E, 313th Field Artillery Regiment, 80th Division. The story surrounding the capture however is truly outstanding. The top of the map is inscribed:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Sept. 27 - 1918 - This map taken from captured German Artillery officer after he had tried to destroy it. Turned in to Reg. Hdqts 313 F.A. U.S.A. as information contained was already available. Map returned to … Lt. Stophlet 313 F.A.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe title of the map is \u003cstrong\u003e78. Artillerie-Karte Maasgruppe West\u003c\/strong\u003e, and it depicts the Verdun area with the locations of Army Gruppes, infantry regiments, and landmarks such as balloons, different special teams, observation groups, etc. This information would change daily and be issued to regiments for reference, which is why the German officer was so keen on destroying it. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bottom edge of the map has reports on the coordinates of enemy fire from the previous evening, and this example has coordinates \u003cstrong\u003e14.7.6\u003c\/strong\u003e and\u003cstrong\u003e 16.7.6\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe map has heavy tearing, and the staining in the center does appear to be blood which has aged to the correct color. Another inscription to the right of the first points to locations on the map:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“The famous “Dead Man’s” Hill. This and Hill 304 were the main things that helped the French hold Verdun.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a truly historically significant artifact that deserves to be properly framed and preserved indefinitely!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44717779353669,"sku":"ONSV26GCS101","price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26GCS101.jpg?v=1772838415","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwi-313th-field-artillery-captured-german-artillery-map-of-verdun-area-taken-from-german-officer-attempting-to-destroy-it-blood-stained-25-x-33","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}