Comes with C.O.A.

This original and museum-grade World War II Invasion of Germany “FRANKFURT” combat map is dated 1945 and was published by the 660th Engineers and 652nd Engineer Topographical Battalion. This is a rare “FIRST EDITION -AEF” print.

This map was used during the Allied push through Germany and the advance on the Rhine River. This U.S. Infantry and Armored Division map is an incredible piece of WWII history and would make an amazing addition to any WWII collection.

Frankfurt, one of Germany's major cities, played a crucial role in operations during the latter stages of World War II, particularly in 1944-1945. As a significant industrial, transportation, and administrative center, Frankfurt was a key objective for both Allied and Axis forces.

First and foremost, Frankfurt was a major transportation hub in Germany. It served as a vital railway junction, with numerous rail lines converging in the city. These rail connections facilitated the movement of troops, equipment, and supplies to and from various parts of Germany and beyond. Controlling Frankfurt meant gaining access to this crucial transportation network, which was essential for both sustaining the German war effort and facilitating Allied advances deeper into German territory.

In addition to its importance as a railway hub, Frankfurt was also a major center for air transportation. The city was home to several airfields and aviation facilities, including the Frankfurt Airport (then known as Rhein-Main Airfield). These facilities were used by the Luftwaffe for military operations, as well as for transporting personnel and supplies. As such, capturing Frankfurt would deny the Germans access to these airfields and disrupt their ability to conduct air operations effectively.

Furthermore, Frankfurt was a significant industrial center, with numerous factories and manufacturing plants located within the city and its vicinity. These industries produced a wide range of goods, including machinery, vehicles, and armaments, all of which were essential for supporting the German war effort. Capturing Frankfurt would not only deprive the Germans of these industrial resources but also enable the Allies to gain control over key production facilities, further weakening Germany's ability to sustain its war machine.

Strategically, Frankfurt's location in the heart of Germany made it a focal point for military operations in the latter stages of the war. As Allied forces advanced from both the Western and Eastern fronts, Frankfurt became a key objective in their efforts to penetrate deep into German territory and hasten the collapse of the Third Reich. Conversely, German forces sought to defend Frankfurt fiercely, recognizing its strategic importance and the potential consequences of its loss.

The Battle of Frankfurt, which occurred in March-April 1945, was a significant engagement that saw intense fighting between Allied and German forces. American troops, advancing from the west, and Soviet forces, pushing from the east, converged on the city, encircling German defenders and subjecting the city to heavy bombardment. Despite stubborn resistance from German forces, Frankfurt ultimately fell to the Allies, marking a significant milestone in the final stages of the war in Europe.

In conclusion, Frankfurt played a multifaceted role in operations during 1944-1945, serving as a critical transportation hub, industrial center, and strategic objective. The city's capture by Allied forces dealt a severe blow to the German war effort and contributed to the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.

Allied Invasion of Germany:

The U.S. invasion of Germany in 1945 marked a pivotal moment in World War II, ultimately leading to the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of the war in Europe. This invasion, commonly referred to as the Western Allied invasion of Germany, was part of the larger Allied effort to liberate Europe from the grip of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. The events of 1945 were the culmination of years of conflict, strategic planning, and intense fighting across multiple theaters of war.

By 1945, the Allied forces, consisting primarily of the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union, had made significant gains against Germany on multiple fronts. The Eastern Front, where the Soviet Union bore the brunt of the fighting, had seen the Red Army push deep into German-held territory, capturing key cities such as Stalingrad and driving towards Berlin. Meanwhile, in the West, the Allies had successfully launched amphibious invasions in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, gradually pushing Axis forces back towards the heart of Europe.

In early 1945, the Allied forces were poised for a final assault on Germany itself. The Western Allies, led by the United States, had been steadily advancing through France and into Germany following the successful D-Day landings in Normandy in June 1944. As they pushed eastward, they faced stiff resistance from German forces determined to defend their homeland. The Battle of the Bulge, a last-ditch German offensive launched in December 1944, temporarily slowed the Allied advance but ultimately failed to alter the course of the war.

By early 1945, the Allies had gained the upper hand, with overwhelming numerical and technological superiority. The Allied air forces had devastated German cities with relentless bombing campaigns, crippling German industry and infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union had launched a massive offensive in the East, pushing German forces back towards the German border and encircling large numbers of enemy troops.

In February 1945, the Allies convened at the Yalta Conference to plan the final stages of the war and discuss the post-war reorganization of Europe. The leaders of the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union—President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Premier Joseph Stalin, respectively—agreed on a strategy for the invasion of Germany and the occupation of the country following its defeat.

The invasion of Germany began in earnest in March 1945, as Allied forces launched a series of coordinated offensives aimed at penetrating deep into German territory. In the West, American and British forces crossed the Rhine River, the natural barrier separating France and Germany, and began advancing towards the heart of the country. In the East, the Red Army launched a massive assault on Berlin, the capital of Nazi Germany, with the aim of capturing the city and bringing an end to Hitler's regime.

The fighting in Germany was intense and brutal, as German forces fought fiercely to defend their homeland against the advancing Allies. Cities and towns were reduced to rubble as Allied bombers pounded German defenses from the air, while ground forces engaged in bloody street fighting against determined German resistance. Despite the fierce opposition, the Allies continued to advance, steadily pushing deeper into German territory and closing in on Berlin from both the East and the West.

By April 1945, the Allied advance had reached a fever pitch, with American, British, and Soviet forces converging on Berlin from all sides. The Red Army, in particular, bore the brunt of the fighting, as Soviet soldiers engaged in bitter street-to-street combat against die-hard German defenders. On April 30, 1945, as Soviet troops closed in on his bunker beneath the ruins of Berlin, Adolf Hitler committed suicide, bringing an end to his brutal reign and signaling the imminent collapse of Nazi Germany.

In the days and weeks following Hitler's death, German resistance crumbled as Allied forces swept across the country, capturing key cities and forcing the remaining German forces to surrender. On May 8, 1945, the German High Command officially surrendered, bringing an end to the war in Europe. The invasion of Germany had been a costly endeavor, with millions of lives lost and entire cities laid waste, but it had ultimately achieved its objective: the defeat of Nazi Germany and the liberation of Europe from tyranny.

In the aftermath of the war, Germany was occupied by the Allied powers, with the country divided into four zones of occupation controlled by the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. The division of Germany would eventually lead to the Cold War, as tensions between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union escalated in the years following the end of World War II.

The U.S. invasion of Germany in 1945 was a defining moment in modern history, marking the end of one of the darkest chapters in human history and laying the groundwork for the post-war world order. It was a testament to the courage and sacrifice of the Allied forces, who fought tirelessly to defeat a ruthless enemy and bring an end to the horrors of war.