Comes with C.O.A.

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

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.

Meiningen, a town located in the southern part of the German state of Thuringia, played a significant role in operations during the latter stages of World War II, particularly in 1944-1945. While it may not be as widely known as some other strategic locations, Meiningen's significance stems from its geographical position and its role as a transportation hub.

During the final years of the war, Meiningen found itself situated in the path of the Allied advance as they pushed deeper into German territory from both the Western and Eastern fronts. This strategic location made Meiningen a key objective for both Allied and Axis forces.

One of the most notable aspects of Meiningen's role in operations during this period was its importance as a transportation center. The town was situated at the crossroads of several major road and rail networks, making it a crucial logistical hub for the German war effort. Its railway junction connected various parts of Germany, facilitating the movement of troops, equipment, and supplies to the front lines. As such, controlling Meiningen became vital for both sides in their efforts to maintain or disrupt the flow of reinforcements and materiel.

Additionally, Meiningen was home to several industrial facilities that contributed to the German war machine. These included factories producing machinery, ammunition, and other essential war materials. The Allied forces recognized the importance of targeting such industrial centers to weaken Germany's ability to sustain its war effort.

In 1944-1945, as the Allies intensified their bombing campaigns against German cities and industrial targets, Meiningen did not escape unscathed. Allied bombers targeted the town and its surrounding areas, seeking to disrupt German supply lines and cripple its industrial capacity. The resulting destruction inflicted significant damage on Meiningen's infrastructure and contributed to the overall degradation of Germany's ability to wage war effectively.

Furthermore, as the Allied ground forces advanced towards Meiningen from the West and the Soviet forces from the East, the town became a focal point of intense fighting. German forces sought to defend Meiningen as part of their efforts to halt the Allied advance and prevent the encirclement of key cities further to the west, such as Frankfurt and Nuremberg. Meanwhile, Allied troops aimed to secure Meiningen as part of their broader offensive to penetrate deep into German territory and hasten the end of the war.

Ultimately, Meiningen's significance in operations during 1944-1945 lay in its strategic location and its role as a transportation and industrial center. The town's capture or defense had far-reaching implications for the outcome of the war, affecting the flow of troops and supplies and influencing the broader course of military campaigns in the final stages of World War II.

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.