Comes with hand-signed C.O.A.

These XXI Bomber Command target photo maps rarely come up for sale in the public sector. This is a once in a timeline chance to own a piece of WWII history.

This incredibly scarce and museum-grade ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ WWII XXI Bomber Command TARGET AERIAL PHOTO MAP CHART was used during the USAAF long-range bombardment operations, against Japan until mid-July 1945. The XXI Bomber Command was headquartered at Harmon Field, Guam, in the Mariana Islands. Dated April 30th, 1945 and titled “SASEBO KO KYUSHU, JAPAN”, was produced in very limited quantities.

This bombardier aerial photo chart map was specifically created using the most updated military intelligence in order to give B-29, B-25, and B-24 aircraft the most accurate target information. This was done for fast and effective target identification as well as accurate navigation and bomb/incendiary accuracy. These target photo charts were handed to U.S. aerial bomber crews during the target mission briefing and were then carried on the B-29, B-25, and B-24 aircraft to use during the raid itself.

These aerial photo charts were referenced during pre-mission briefings as well as when the bombardier was approaching the target. This was meant to provide the B-29, B-25, and B-24 bombardiers with the most realistic view of his target for the best target identification. The most important primary target buildings were always outlined and marked with a number to be referenced on the target key.

XXI Bomber Command Air Raid on SASEBO KYUSHU:

• FRIDAY, 7 JULY 1944: STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): 14 B-29s, operating out of Chengtu, China during the night of 7/8 Jul, bomb Sasebo, Omura, and Tobata, Japan (most of the planes hitting the Sasebo area); 3 others attack secondary and last resort targets at Laoyao and in the Hankow area of China.

• TUESDAY, 31 JULY 1945: WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, 80+ B-24s pound the Kagoshima railroad yards and several other targets in the general area including the Sasebo naval base, Yaki-shima, and Nagasaki; A-26s and B-25s bomb Kanoya and Miyazaki Airfields and nearby targets, the Sasebo naval base, Marushima, warehouses at Nagasaki, and a factory and power plant on Koyagi Island; P-51s attack flak positions at Moji, blast shipping at Iki Island and off the NW and W coast of Kyushu, hit an island WSW of Sasebo, bomb railroad targets and warehouses in the Izumi area, and in general attack the railroad and road net and other communications targets throughout Kyushu and P-61s continue harassing missions during the night. P-51s over the Ryukyu Islands bomb airstrips on Miyako Island, and bomb a town in the Koniya area.

• FRIDAY, 10 AUGUST 1945: WESTERN PACIFIC [Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In Japan, 80 B-24s, 118 B-25s, and 220+ P-47s and P-38s pound the Kumamoto area; 20+ B-24s bomb the Oita area; 39 P-51s provide cover over both targets; nearly 40 B-25s attack destroyers, cargo ships, and small vessels during a shipping sweep between Kyushu Island and Korea; P-47s bomb Sasebo Harbor; P-51s hit various targets of opportunity on Honshu and Kyushu and B-25s bomb targets of opportunity in the N Ryukyu Islands.