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: Rota Island - Marianas Group

During World War II, the VII Fighter Command played a crucial role in securing air superiority and supporting ground operations across the Marianas Islands, particularly during the critical campaigns of 1944–1945. Operating under the Seventh Air Force, the command’s primary mission was to provide fighter escort, conduct offensive sweeps, and carry out long-range strikes against enemy positions throughout the Central Pacific. Following the invasions of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam, the VII Fighter Command deployed P-51 Mustang squadrons to newly established airfields, significantly expanding their operational range. One of their key focus areas was Rota Island, a heavily fortified Japanese-held position that had been bypassed during the main island-hopping assaults but remained a strategic threat due to its airfields and artillery emplacements. From late 1944 through 1945, P-51 pilots of the VII Fighter Command conducted near-daily bombing, strafing, and reconnaissance missions over Rota, targeting anti-aircraft positions, communication centers, and enemy troop concentrations. These missions were often flown at low altitude and under intense fire, requiring precision and bravery from the Mustang pilots. Their relentless pressure effectively neutralized Rota’s capacity to interfere with American operations in the Marianas, and their efforts contributed to the overall success of the Pacific campaign by ensuring Allied control of the skies and reducing the threat to U.S. forces and airfields in the region.

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.

The VII Fighter Command and the P-51 Mustang Pilots Over Rota Island: Operations in the Marianas, 1944–1945

The VII Fighter Command played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater during World War II, particularly in the Marianas Islands campaign of 1944 and 1945. As part of the Seventh Air Force, the command was tasked with a range of operations, including air defense, long-range fighter escort, and offensive air strikes across a vast and strategically critical region. Once the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam were secured by U.S. forces, they were rapidly transformed into key forward airbases. These bases allowed the VII Fighter Command to project American air power deeper into Japanese-held territory. Among the most important aircraft deployed was the P-51 Mustang, a long-range, high-performance fighter that gave American pilots the ability to strike targets hundreds of miles from their bases and return with fuel to spare. The pilots of the VII Fighter Command, many of whom were young and relatively new to combat, quickly became seasoned veterans through a relentless series of missions against fortified enemy positions.

One of the most heavily targeted sites during this period was Rota Island, a small but fiercely defended Japanese stronghold situated between Guam and Tinian. Though it had been bypassed during the amphibious assaults of the Marianas campaign, Rota remained in Japanese hands and continued to pose a significant threat due to its functional airfields, artillery emplacements, and radio communication centers. Beginning in late 1944, the VII Fighter Command launched consistent bombing and strafing missions over Rota. These missions aimed to render the island’s military capabilities ineffective, preventing the Japanese from launching any potential air attacks on nearby American bases or interfering with B-29 bomber flights heading toward Japan. P-51 Mustang pilots were often tasked with low-level attack runs, diving toward enemy positions while enduring intense anti-aircraft fire. The risk was constant, and many pilots returned with damaged aircraft or not at all. Despite these dangers, the persistence and skill of the Mustang squadrons steadily degraded Rota’s ability to function as a forward-operating base for the Japanese.

The missions over Rota were not limited to bombing and strafing. Reconnaissance flights and aerial photography helped identify Japanese defenses and guided future attacks. Additionally, VII Fighter Command pilots provided air cover for naval convoys and patrolled the skies for any signs of enemy aircraft. These combined efforts effectively isolated Rota and made it impossible for the Japanese garrison to mount any meaningful resistance or retaliation. By the spring of 1945, the constant aerial pressure had crippled Rota’s infrastructure, and the island had been reduced to a silent outpost, cut off from reinforcement or resupply. The U.S. command made a strategic decision not to invade the island, instead choosing to let it wither under continued air assault. This approach saved countless American lives and freed up resources for future operations closer to the Japanese homeland.

The P-51 Mustang pilots of the VII Fighter Command were instrumental in this success. Known for their courage and precision, they flew dangerous missions day after day, often under primitive conditions and with little rest. Their efforts over Rota exemplified the growing effectiveness of American air power in the Pacific, showcasing how targeted air campaigns could achieve objectives that once required ground invasions. The work of the VII Fighter Command helped establish complete control over the Marianas, turning the islands into a secure platform from which the United States could launch its strategic bombing campaign against Japan. In this way, the relentless air operations over Rota directly contributed to the broader goal of ending the war in the Pacific.

In summary, the VII Fighter Command’s operations in and around the Marianas were a vital part of the Allied victory in the Pacific, and their missions over Rota Island from 1944 to 1945 serve as a clear example of how air superiority was achieved and maintained. Through disciplined planning, courageous flying, and relentless execution, the P-51 Mustang pilots ensured that bypassed enemy positions like Rota could no longer pose a threat to American forces. Their legacy is one of precision, perseverance, and the strategic value of air power in modern warfare.