*This museum grade artifact is in our rare EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION, meaning it is of the highest caliber ranking of artifacts and is most often seen in both national and international museums. This artifact is deemed of such historical significance that the price is not listed but is still for sale. Artifact displayed in our EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION are marked as SOLD OUT, however, are still available. Please email us at sales@premierrelics.com for pricing inquires.

Size: 25.5 x 35 inches

This exclusive and incredibly rare museum grade World War I artillery map was used during one of the most famous battle of the first World War. The Battle of Messines which took place in June of 1917, almost one year on from the beginning of the Somme Campaign. The battle is remembered particularly for the role of Nationalist and Unionist soldiers from across Ireland who fought alongside each other for the first time during the First World War. Comines-Warneton, like the surrounding area, was devastated during the First World War (WWI). Many Australians know Comines-Warneton as being where the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company built the Catacombs in 1915 and by its associations with the Battle of Messines two years later. This was the first large-scale action involving Australian troops in Belgium with the 3rd and 4th Divisions involved. The Battle of Messines began on June  7th of 1917 and was fought along a wide front. Australian infantry fought on the southern end of this line near Messines village. To the north at Hill 60 near Ypres/Ieper Australian tunnellers played a vital role in the detonation of part of a series of huge mines beneath the enemy’s trenches. The 1st Australian Tunnelling Company had worked there since November 1916. Finally, along the whole British front, 19 mines were exploded at the start of the battle with a devastating effect - an estimated 10,000 German troops died in the explosions. Messines was an important success for the British Army leading up to the beginning of the Third Battle of Ypres several weeks later.

Titled ‘Belgium’, this Edition 1 map showcases trenches (RED) corrected up to September 18th of 1917 and the Ordnance Survey corrected up to August of 1917. Located near the bottom left of the match details an extremely intricate reference grid denoting everything from: enemy trenches, British trenches, wire entanglements, enemy tracks, airplanes, supply dumps, ammunition dumps, gun emplacements, machine gun nests, mortar trenches, observation posts, listening posts, and mine craters. What makes this map extremely rare are the black artillery arranged degree firing lines covering almost half of the map along with the soldiers' written correctional annotations and writing still seen on the far right side. Control of the ground was vital for artillery observation, thus, the correctional measurement markers on this map detail the extreme precision to the degree and height for firing artillery barrages on enemy positions within the area. The Map itself is heavily used in written on showing heavy use and extreme importance during the Battle of Messines. The map itself shows some of the most important towns and landmarks of the battle including the towns of Vierstraat, Wytschaete, Messines, Warneton, Comines, Houthem, and Raven Wood. All of the towns located on the left side of the map feature the locations of each of the 19 mines planted under German held territory where 10,000 German soldiers were killed instantly. Soldiers were ordered to attack even if all mines didn't explode. Artillery fire continued throughout the battle as infantry advanced with tank providing close support and flying aircraft flying over for support.

For more information on this particular battle and the importance of this map we recommend watching the film "The Battle of Messines” which was produces to accompany a new exhibition at the Somme Museum, Newtownards launching June 15, 2017.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QulSKr2tC8