WWII 1945 Mediterranean Theater U.S. Allied North Africa Tripoli “Plotting Series” Navigator’s Large & Heavy Bomber Aircraft Map (Mission Marked)
WWII 1945 Mediterranean Theater U.S. Allied North Africa Tripoli “Plotting Series” Navigator’s Large & Heavy Bomber Aircraft Map (Mission Marked)
Comes with a hand-signed C.O.A.
Size: 30 × 43 inches
This extremely rare, museum-grade World War II artifact is an original U.S. Allied North Africa, Tripoli “Plotting Series” Navigator’s Map, specifically designed for use in large and heavy bomber aircraft during the war. Dating to 1945, this Fifth Edition combat planning map was a crucial tool for Allied air crews conducting strategic missions across the Mediterranean Theater. The map retains its original WWII-era flight navigation markings, showcasing the plotted aircraft paths that bomber crews followed on their missions. Such artifacts are exceptionally scarce, as most operational maps were either discarded after use or destroyed for security reasons.
During 1944 and 1945, Tripoli, the capital of Libya, played a pivotal role in the Allied war effort as a logistical hub and operational base in North Africa. After the city was secured by British forces in January 1943, it became an essential staging ground for the ongoing Mediterranean campaign. Tripoli was a primary point for the reinforcement of Allied forces, supplying troops, ammunition, and equipment for operations in Italy, the Mediterranean islands, and Southern Europe. The Royal Navy and Allied merchant fleets utilized Tripoli’s harbor for refueling and resupplying, ensuring a steady flow of supplies and reinforcements to the front lines. The U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) and the Royal Air Force (RAF) operated extensively from Tripoli’s airfields, launching bombing raids against key Axis positions in Italy, Sicily, and beyond. The city’s airbases were vital in disrupting enemy supply lines and troop movements. Tripoli also functioned as a critical medical evacuation center, where wounded Allied soldiers received initial treatment before being transported to hospitals in safer rear areas. This rare navigator’s map offers a direct link to these pivotal air operations, representing the meticulous planning and execution of Allied bombing campaigns that contributed to the eventual defeat of Axis forces in the Mediterranean. A truly unique and historically significant artifact, it serves as a tangible reminder of the intense aerial and logistical efforts that shaped the outcome of World War II.