RARE Operation Frantic WWII FLORENCE Italy B-17 Navigators Mediterranean Theater Mission Raid Map (HEAVILY TARGET MARKED)
RARE Operation Frantic WWII FLORENCE Italy B-17 Navigators Mediterranean Theater Mission Raid Map (HEAVILY TARGET MARKED)
Comes with hand-signed C.O.A.
HEAVILY MARKED - USED ON MULTIPLE B-17 RAID MISSIONS OVER ITALY AND THE FURTHER ETO.
Units in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) were the second-largest user of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II. There were a total of six combat groups (twenty-four squadrons) equipped with the bomber assigned to the Theater.
This original and heavily marked B-17 mission raid map was used during the infamous Italian Campaign. From their bases in Southern Italy, the Fortresses engaged in long-range strategic bombardment attacks against the enemy in the Balkans, Occupied Italy, Austria, Germany and France. Additionally, Fifteenth Air Force B-17s joined with Eighth Air Force B-17s as part of Operation Frantic, shuttle bombing raids against targets on the Eastern Front, landing at Poltava Airfield (AAF-559) in the Soviet Union during the spring of 1944.
What makes this Mediterranean Theater map very rare and desirable are the B-17 navigator’s strategical markings. These target marks and post raid bombing maneuvers/navigation were done by one of the B-17s that participated in that multiple bombing raid and operation over and out of Italy.