Comes with a hand-signed C.O.A.

“As part of the Seventh Air Force, the VII Fighter Command P-51 pilots were instrumental in securing U.S. air superiority, conducting long-range escort missions, and supporting the strategic bombing campaign against Japan. Their deployment in the Marianas Campaign was pivotal to the success of the island-hopping strategy and the eventual destruction of Japan’s war-making capabilities”

Type: Original World War II VII Fighter Command “Kneepocket" Flight Map Specially Made For P-51 Mustang Pilots of the Seventh Air Force’s VII Fighter Command

Titled: Agrihan Islands - Marianas Group

The VII Fighter Command, an integral part of the Seventh Air Force, played a pivotal role in air combat operations across the Pacific Theater during World War II, particularly in and around the Marianas Islands from 1944 to 1945. Equipped primarily with P-51 Mustangs, the fighter pilots of the VII Fighter Command were tasked with long-range bomber escort missions, air superiority patrols, and strategic strikes against enemy positions. One of their most challenging and significant operations involved flying perilous missions near and around theAgrihan Islands, a remote and rugged part of the Marianas chain. These missions were essential in disrupting Japanese air and naval activity in the region, providing air cover for B-29 Superfortresses conducting bombing raids on the Bonin and Volcano Islands, including Iwo Jima. The VII Fighter Command pilots frequently faced extreme weather conditions, mechanical failures, and the constant threat of enemy anti-aircraft fire and interceptors. The Agrihan sector, known for its strategic yet isolated location, served as a waypoint for long-distance fighter sweeps and search-and-destroy missions targeting Japanese radar installations, supply depots, and small naval convoys attempting to reinforce bypassed garrisons. With limited refueling and resupply options, these Mustang pilots demonstrated remarkable endurance and skill, conducting extended-range sorties that pushed the limits of both their aircraft and physical stamina. Their actions were instrumental in securing air dominance in the Marianas, ensuring the success of the broader Pacific air campaign, and paving the way for future operations, including the eventual invasion of Iwo Jima and the sustained aerial offensive against the Japanese mainland.

Size: 4 × 7 inches

This incredibly rare, museum-grade World War II artifact is an original combat map used by United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) pilots from the Pacific Theater's VII Fighter Command. Known among pilots as the "kneepocket" map, this essential navigation tool was carried by all P-51 Mustang pilots on every combat mission during the war.

Designed and field-printed by the “VII Fighter Command Drafting Section”, this compact yet detailed map was tailored for the specific challenges faced during long-range escort and reconnaissance missions over the vast Pacific Ocean. It was designed to fit perfectly inside the large knee pocket of a P-51 pilot’s flight suit, ensuring easy access without interfering with cockpit controls during combat missions.

The kneepocket map was vital during missions, whether escorting B-29 Superfortresses on Very Long Range (VLR) bombing runs to Japan, or conducting fighter sweeps and reconnaissance. Pilots used this map while in the air to track their positions, coordinate formation movements, and record real-time intelligence on enemy activity and potential targets.

Additionally, the map played a crucial role in emergency planning, providing vital information about nearby islands for potential crash landings. In a theater where engine failure, damage from enemy fire, or fuel shortages posed constant threats, the kneepocket map could mean the difference between survival and being lost at sea.

As a field-produced document, each map was unique, and only a handful of examples with direct connections to the VII Fighter Command have survived, with most reserved for high-end museum archives. Today, these original VII Fighter Command combat maps are exceedingly rare artifacts of WWII aviation history.

VII Fighter Command and Its Role in the Marianas, 1944-1945: The P-51 Mustang’s Pacific Combat Missions:

The VII Fighter Command played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater during World War II, particularly in the Mariana Islands from 1944 to 1945. Originally tasked with air defense of the Hawaiian Islands, VII Fighter Command transitioned into an offensive force, supporting B-29 Superfortress operations, escorting bombers, and engaging in long-range fighter sweeps against Japanese forces.

The Role of VII Fighter Command in the Marianas

VII Fighter Command arrived in the Marianas in 1944 to establish fighter operations that would support the U.S. Army Air Forces’ (USAAF) Twentieth Air Force and its strategic bombing campaign against Japan. The command was primarily based on the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam, where it established airbases to launch offensive operations across the central Pacific.

The primary objectives of VII Fighter Command in the Marianas included:

1. Providing Escort for B-29 Bombers: Long-range escort missions were crucial in protecting B-29 Superfortress bombers conducting strategic air raids over Japan and other targets.

2. Conducting Long-Range Fighter Sweeps: P-51 Mustangs carried out missions against enemy airfields and installations on Iwo Jima, the Bonin Islands, and even the Japanese mainland.

3. Air Superiority and Combat Patrols: VII Fighter Command worked to eliminate the Japanese fighter threat in the region to ensure unchallenged American aerial dominance.

4. Ground Attack and Close Air Support Missions: Fighters conducted strafing runs on enemy positions, supporting both aerial and ground operations across the region.

The P-51 Mustang’s Deployment in the Pacific

While the P-51 Mustang is often associated with the European Theater, its service in the Pacific—particularly with VII Fighter Command—was critical in the final push against Japan. The P-51D variant, equipped with long-range fuel tanks, extended the operational range of the fighters, allowing them to escort bombers and conduct deep-penetration missions.

In late 1944 and early 1945, VII Fighter Command squadrons transitioned from P-47 Thunderbolts to P-51 Mustangs due to the latter’s superior range and maneuverability. The deployment of the P-51 allowed VII Fighter Command to perform a vital role in protecting B-29 missions and increasing the pressure on Japan’s home islands.

Combat Missions of the P-51 Mustangs in the Marianas

1. Long-Range Fighter Escort to Japan

One of the most significant missions of VII Fighter Command’s P-51 pilots was the escort of B-29 bombers on strategic bombing missions over Japan. The introduction of Iwo Jima as a forward base in early 1945 allowed Mustangs to escort the Superfortresses all the way to Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Yokohama, significantly reducing bomber losses to enemy fighters.

2. Fighter Sweeps and Air Superiority Missions

VII Fighter Command pilots were tasked with neutralizing Japanese fighter resistance. They conducted fighter sweeps over enemy airfields, engaging in dogfights with Japanese aircraft, including the formidable Mitsubishi A6M Zero. These sweeps reduced the number of interceptors available to defend Japan against U.S. bombing raids.

3. Ground Attack Missions on Enemy Installations

Beyond air-to-air combat, P-51 pilots also carried out extensive ground attack missions. They targeted airfields, radar stations, supply depots, and enemy troop concentrations on islands such as Iwo Jima, Chichi Jima, and other locations across the Pacific. Armed with .50 caliber machine guns, rockets, and bombs, P-51s became an effective weapon against Japanese ground targets.

4. The Battle for Iwo Jima and Close Air Support

During the Battle of Iwo Jima (February-March 1945), VII Fighter Command’s P-51 Mustangs provided close air support for U.S. Marines, strafing Japanese defensive positions and conducting aerial reconnaissance. This effort was crucial in weakening Japanese defenses and securing the island for later use as a forward air base.

5. Kamikaze Interception and Maritime Patrols

VII Fighter Command also played a role in defending against kamikaze attacks. P-51s were often deployed on maritime patrols to intercept Japanese aircraft attempting to target U.S. naval forces. These patrols contributed significantly to the safety of American ships and air operations in the Pacific.

Challenges and Risks Faced by VII Fighter Command Pilots

1. Long-Distance Flying and Fuel Limitations: Despite their extended range, P-51 pilots often had to carefully manage fuel consumption on their long-haul missions to Japan, sometimes requiring aerial refueling or emergency landings at Iwo Jima.

2. Fierce Japanese Resistance: Missions frequently involved dogfights against Japanese fighter pilots, who employed aggressive tactics to defend their homeland.

3. Hostile Weather Conditions: Pilots had to navigate through unpredictable weather, including storms and jet streams, which posed additional hazards to long-range operations.

4. High Casualty Rates: The extended combat missions led to significant losses among Mustang pilots due to enemy fire, mechanical failures, and pilot fatigue.

The VII Fighter Command’s role in the Marianas from 1944 to 1945 was a turning point in the Pacific War, as it enabled the U.S. to exert greater air dominance over Japan. The introduction of P-51 Mustangs allowed the command to perform deep-penetration escort missions, fighter sweeps, ground attacks, and kamikaze interceptions, significantly aiding in the success of the strategic bombing campaign against Japan.

By the time Japan surrendered in August 1945, VII Fighter Command and its Mustang pilots had played a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of the air war in the Pacific. Their contributions ensured superior air power, reduced American bomber losses, and supported the final push toward victory, solidifying the Mustang’s legacy as one of the most effective fighter aircraft of World War II.