Comes with hand-signed C.O.A. and a full historical write-up

Type: Original 1953 United States Military Academy West Point World War II Military Campaign Operational Study Map Plate

Produced: Special map plate made by the Department of Military Art and Engineering (United States Military Academy - West Point)

Campaign: Western European Theater - Normandy, France

Battle/Operation: D-Day Operation Overlord - Capture of Cherbourg June 1944

Size: 14 × 10.5 inches

In the years following World War II, the United States Military Academy at West Point faced the monumental task of preparing future military leaders for an era of evolving warfare. By 1953, the Academy had integrated World War II operational campaign military maps into its curriculum as vital tools for studying the strategies and tactics employed during the conflict. These maps, which had served as critical planning and operational resources during the war, became essential teaching aids, allowing cadets to analyze real-world applications of military theory, refine their strategic thinking, and adapt lessons from the past to modern military challenges. The decision to incorporate these maps into training programs reflected the Academy's commitment to learning from history and enhancing the intellectual rigor of its officer education.

During World War II, operational campaign maps were indispensable to the planning and execution of military strategies. These maps were meticulously crafted, often combining topographical details, troop movements, supply routes, and key infrastructure information. Commanders relied on them to visualize battlefields, anticipate enemy actions, and coordinate large-scale operations across diverse terrains. Maps such as those used in the Normandy landings, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Pacific theater illustrated the complexity and dynamism of modern warfare. By 1953, these maps had become artifacts of historical and educational significance, offering a window into the decision-making processes of the war’s most pivotal moments.

At West Point, these maps were used to teach cadets about operational planning, logistical coordination, and the execution of combined arms strategies. Instructors often began by presenting maps from campaigns such as Operation Overlord or the Battle of Midway, highlighting the strategic considerations that shaped these operations. For example, the intricate plans for the Normandy invasion, which involved coordinating naval, air, and ground forces, demonstrated the importance of synchronization in multi-domain warfare. Cadets analyzed how Allied commanders used maps to identify key objectives, such as securing beaches, establishing supply lines, and advancing inland, all while countering German defenses along the Atlantic Wall.

One of the primary ways these maps were utilized was through the study of operational art—a concept that bridges the gap between strategy and tactics. Operational art involves the design and execution of campaigns to achieve strategic goals within the constraints of time, space, and resources. World War II operational maps provided cadets with concrete examples of this concept in action. By examining the geographical constraints, enemy dispositions, and logistical challenges depicted on these maps, cadets could assess how commanders made decisions to achieve their objectives while minimizing risks and exploiting opportunities.

Moreover, the maps served as case studies for analyzing the successes and failures of wartime operations. For instance, cadets studying the Battle of the Bulge examined maps that detailed German troop movements, the positioning of Allied forces, and the topographical challenges of the Ardennes Forest. This analysis helped them understand how Allied commanders responded to the surprise offensive and ultimately turned the tide in their favor. Similarly, maps from the Pacific theater, such as those depicting the island-hopping campaign, illustrated the strategic importance of selecting objectives that balanced the need for progress with the necessity of conserving resources and minimizing casualties.

Instructors at West Point also used these maps to emphasize the importance of logistics in modern warfare. World War II had demonstrated that the ability to sustain armies through effective supply chain management was as crucial as battlefield tactics. Maps showing supply routes, transportation hubs, and logistical depots provided cadets with insights into how commanders addressed the challenges of moving troops and materiel across vast distances. For example, maps from the North African campaign illustrated how the Allies overcame logistical difficulties to support their forces in a harsh desert environment, offering lessons in adaptability and resourcefulness.

Another critical aspect of using World War II maps at West Point was fostering an appreciation for the role of intelligence and reconnaissance. Many operational maps included information gathered from aerial photography, captured enemy documents, and reports from reconnaissance units. Cadets learned how commanders used this intelligence to make informed decisions, predict enemy movements, and identify vulnerabilities. By studying maps of campaigns such as the D-Day invasion, cadets gained an understanding of how intelligence shaped operational planning and execution, from identifying landing sites to neutralizing key enemy positions.

The maps also facilitated wargaming exercises, where cadets were tasked with developing their own strategies based on historical scenarios. Using the maps as a foundation, cadets reenacted campaigns, assuming the roles of both Allied and Axis commanders. These exercises encouraged critical thinking, problem-solving, and an appreciation for the complexities of command. They also provided opportunities to test the principles of maneuver warfare, combined arms operations, and the integration of air and ground forces. By engaging with the maps in this way, cadets honed their ability to think like military leaders, preparing them for the challenges of real-world command.

In addition to their practical applications, the maps held symbolic significance, serving as tangible connections to the legacy of the "Greatest Generation." They reminded cadets of the sacrifices made by those who fought in World War II and underscored the responsibility of future officers to uphold the traditions of duty, honor, and country. The maps became tools for instilling a sense of historical continuity, encouraging cadets to view themselves as part of a long line of military leaders committed to defending the nation.

By 1953, the integration of World War II operational campaign maps into West Point’s curriculum represented a forward-thinking approach to military education. These maps bridged the gap between theory and practice, offering cadets a nuanced understanding of the art and science of warfare. They highlighted the enduring relevance of historical study in preparing for future conflicts, demonstrating that the lessons of the past could inform the strategies of tomorrow. Through the study of these maps, West Point not only honored the legacy of World War II but also ensured that its graduates were equipped to face the complexities of modern warfare with knowledge, skill, and confidence.

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The Invasion of Normandy, launched on June 6, 1944, under the codename Operation Overlord, marked the beginning of the Allied liberation of Western Europe. After the successful landings on D-Day, the focus shifted to consolidating the beachheads and launching operations to expand Allied control in Normandy. The period from June 13 to June 30, 1944, was marked by intense fighting as the Allies sought to expand their foothold, break through German defenses, and secure critical objectives such as the port city of Cherbourg. The capture of Cherbourg was a pivotal moment in this phase of the campaign, as it provided the Allies with a much-needed deep-water port to sustain their forces during the prolonged campaign in Europe.

Expanding the Beachhead: June 13–30, 1944

After the initial success of the D-Day landings, the Allies faced significant challenges in consolidating their gains and expanding their control over Normandy. The German Wehrmacht, under the command of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, regrouped and mounted fierce resistance. Rommel's strategy relied on holding the Allies as close to the beaches as possible, preventing them from exploiting their numerical superiority and logistical capabilities.

The terrain of Normandy presented unique challenges to the Allies. The bocage, a dense patchwork of hedgerows and small fields, provided the Germans with natural defensive positions, making every advance a costly and slow endeavor. German troops, particularly elements of the elite 21st Panzer Division and the 12th SS Panzer Division, used these features to their advantage, launching counterattacks and creating strongpoints that delayed the Allied advance.

Operations in the Eastern Sector: The Push Toward Caen

In the eastern sector, British and Canadian forces, part of the 2nd Army under General Bernard Montgomery, sought to capture the strategically vital city of Caen. Caen, with its road and rail networks, was a key objective for controlling the flow of supplies and troop movements in Normandy. However, German forces had heavily fortified the city, and progress was slow.

From June 13 to June 20, British and Canadian forces launched a series of offensives to encircle and capture Caen. Operation Perch, an attempt to outflank German positions to the west, achieved limited success but failed to secure the city. Operation Epsom, launched on June 26, saw British and Canadian troops make significant gains but fell short of its ultimate objective due to stiff German resistance. Despite these setbacks, the pressure applied by the Allies in this sector forced the Germans to divert resources from other parts of the front, easing the burden on American forces in the west.

Operations in the Western Sector: The Drive on Cherbourg

In the western sector, American forces under Lieutenant General Omar Bradley’s First Army focused on securing the Cotentin Peninsula, with Cherbourg as their primary objective. The port city was critical to the Allied logistics effort, as it would provide a deep-water port capable of handling the massive influx of men, equipment, and supplies needed to sustain the invasion.

By June 13, American forces had made significant progress in advancing across the Cotentin Peninsula. The German defenders, commanded by General Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben, were outnumbered and isolated, but they fought tenaciously to delay the American advance. The Germans employed scorched-earth tactics, destroying port facilities and infrastructure to deny their use to the Allies.

The Encirclement of Cherbourg

The final phase of the battle for Cherbourg began on June 19, as American forces encircled the city. The 4th, 9th, and 79th Infantry Divisions, supported by armor and artillery, launched a coordinated assault on the German defenses. The terrain around Cherbourg, characterized by hills and valleys, favored the defenders, and the Germans had fortified key positions, including Fort du Roule, which dominated the harbor.

American troops faced stiff resistance as they advanced toward the city. The Germans used minefields, machine-gun nests, and artillery to slow the Allied advance, and urban combat in Cherbourg itself was fierce. Despite these challenges, the Americans systematically reduced German defenses, employing heavy artillery and close air support to neutralize strongpoints.

By June 25, American forces had breached the outer defenses of Cherbourg, and the city fell on June 26. General von Schlieben and approximately 39,000 German troops surrendered, marking the end of organized resistance in the Cotentin Peninsula. However, the Germans had succeeded in significantly damaging the port facilities, delaying their full operational use by the Allies.

The Importance of Cherbourg’s Capture

The capture of Cherbourg was a major strategic victory for the Allies. Although the port facilities required extensive repairs due to German sabotage, the port was gradually brought into operation, providing a crucial logistical lifeline for the Allied war effort. The ability to bring in large quantities of supplies directly into Normandy allowed the Allies to sustain their forces and prepare for the next phase of the campaign, including the breakout from the beachhead.

The capture of Cherbourg also had significant psychological and strategic implications. It demonstrated the effectiveness of Allied planning and coordination and dealt a blow to German morale. The loss of the Cotentin Peninsula further isolated German forces in Normandy and forced the Wehrmacht to divert resources from other fronts to shore up their crumbling defenses.

The Role of Airpower and Naval Support

Throughout this period, Allied airpower and naval support played critical roles in shaping the outcome of the campaign. The Allied air forces, including the U.S. Eighth Air Force and the British Royal Air Force, conducted relentless bombing raids on German positions, supply lines, and reinforcements. These efforts disrupted German logistics and prevented effective counterattacks.

Naval forces provided artillery support during the advance on Cherbourg, targeting coastal defenses and strongpoints. The coordination between ground, air, and naval forces exemplified the integrated approach of the Allied war effort, which proved decisive in overcoming German resistance.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

The period from June 13 to June 30, 1944, was marked by intense and often grueling combat. The bocage terrain, combined with determined German resistance, made every advance costly. The Americans learned valuable lessons about overcoming these challenges, including the need for better coordination between infantry and armor and the importance of adapting tactics to the terrain.

The Germans, for their part, demonstrated resilience and ingenuity, but their ability to mount an effective defense was increasingly undermined by Allied air superiority, logistical constraints, and the sheer weight of Allied numbers. The loss of Cherbourg highlighted the growing inability of the Wehrmacht to hold key positions in the face of a coordinated and well-resourced Allied advance.

The expansion of Allied operations from June 13 to June 30, 1944, and the capture of Cherbourg represented a critical phase in the Normandy campaign. This period demonstrated the Allies’ ability to overcome significant challenges, including difficult terrain and fierce German resistance, to achieve strategic objectives. The capture of Cherbourg provided a vital logistical base for the Allies, enabling them to sustain their forces and prepare for the breakout from Normandy. These successes laid the groundwork for the eventual liberation of France and the defeat of Germany. The determination and ingenuity displayed by Allied forces during this period remain a testament to the skill and resolve that characterized the broader Normandy campaign.