Comes with C.O.A.

This original and museum-grade World War II Invasion of Germany “ULM” 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.

Ulm, a city located in the southern part of Germany, played a significant role in operations during the latter stages of World War II, particularly in 1944-1945. While Ulm may not be as widely recognized as some other cities, its strategic importance stemmed from its geographical location, military significance, and historical context.

First and foremost, Ulm's location made it a key transportation hub in southern Germany. Situated on the banks of the Danube River, Ulm served as a vital river port and was also intersected by several major road and rail networks. These transportation links made Ulm a critical logistical center for the German war effort, facilitating the movement of troops, equipment, and supplies to and from various parts of Germany and the occupied territories.

Furthermore, Ulm was home to significant military installations and industrial facilities. The city housed a major military garrison and served as a base for training and deploying German troops. Additionally, Ulm was home to factories and manufacturing plants that produced essential war materials, including machinery, vehicles, and munitions. The presence of these military and industrial assets made Ulm a target for Allied bombing raids aimed at disrupting German military production and infrastructure.

Strategically, Ulm's location in southern Germany made it a key objective for both Allied and Axis forces. As the Allies advanced from multiple directions—pushing eastward from France and northward from Italy—Ulm lay directly in their path. Capturing Ulm would provide the Allies with a crucial foothold in southern Germany and open up further avenues for their advance into the heart of the country.

Conversely, the German High Command recognized the strategic importance of Ulm and sought to defend the city against Allied attacks. German forces fortified Ulm and its surroundings, establishing defensive positions and fortifications to halt the Allied advance and prevent the encirclement of other key cities further to the north, such as Stuttgart and Munich.

The Battle of Ulm, which occurred in April-May 1945, was a significant engagement that saw intense fighting between Allied and German forces. American, British, and French troops converged on Ulm from multiple directions, encircling German defenders and subjecting the city to heavy bombardment. Despite stubborn resistance from German forces, Ulm ultimately fell to the Allies, marking a significant milestone in the final stages of the war in Europe.

In conclusion, Ulm played a crucial role in operations during 1944-1945, serving as a key transportation hub, military 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.