Comes with a hand-signed C.O.A.

Size: 43 x 51 inches

This rare, museum-grade artifact is an original WWII German High Command map, printed in Berlin and later captured by a U.S. soldier. The map, meticulously detailed and historically significant, spans the entire strategic battlefield of France, covering vital regions from the D-Day Normandy beaches to Paris, the southern France Operation Dragoon landing sites, and all the way to the Rhine River. It is a remarkable relic of the German military's high-level operational planning during one of the most decisive periods of the Second World War.

Used within German command posts and fortification bunkers, this map would have been an essential tool for senior officers coordinating large-scale military operations. The precise cartography would have been relied upon to plan troop movements, supply routes, and defensive positions as the tides of war shifted across Europe. The map’s inclusion of critical sectors like the Normandy beachheads, where the Allies landed on June 6th, 1944, demonstrates its role in the broader German strategic understanding of Allied threats. German commanders would have used maps like this to anticipate and counter the large-scale invasion forces during Operation Overlord, arguably the most significant military operation of the entire war.

Beyond Normandy, the map’s coverage of the southern France landing zones for Operation Dragoon, launched in August 1944, and the key locations involved in Operation Market Garden, highlight its role in German efforts to maintain control as the Allies pushed northward and eastward toward the German heartland. These large-scale operations were not isolated; they were part of an intricate web of military maneuvers, all of which would have been meticulously plotted on high command maps such as this one. The roads, bridges, rail networks, and rivers depicted on this artifact were the lifelines of the German war machine, essential for the movement of troops, tanks, and supplies across occupied France.

In the thick of the war, these maps were often posted on walls in fortified bunkers, allowing commanders to track both current operations and anticipate future engagements. Whether directing artillery units, reinforcing defensive lines, or planning tactical retreats, the high command would have depended on such maps to make informed decisions. As Allied forces advanced, the map would have served as a critical resource in efforts to defend key positions or prepare for eventual withdrawals to more fortified lines, such as along the Siegfried Line near the Rhine River.

As a historical artifact, this map is a tangible piece of the complex and often tragic calculus of war. Its very existence speaks to the meticulous planning undertaken by the German military, as well as the ultimate futility of those plans in the face of overwhelming Allied force. The fact that it was captured and brought back by a U.S. soldier adds an additional layer of historical significance, transforming this map from a mere tool of war into a symbol of victory for the Allied forces.

Today, this map offers a rare and valuable insight into the strategic thinking of the German high command during World War II. Its detailed representation of France’s road networks, fortifications, and key cities provides a glimpse into how the German military viewed their occupation and defense of one of Europe’s most crucial theaters of war. This artifact is not only a significant piece of military history but also a profound reminder of the vast scale of the conflict and the critical importance of strategy and logistics in the fight for Europe.

Accompanied by a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA), this artifact represents a unique and invaluable connection to one of history’s most pivotal moments.