Aachen. German Defences Prepared by First U.S. Army APID. Sheet 5202.
- Map
- Used
Seller: Geographicus Rare Antique Maps, Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.Geographicus Rare Antique Maps
AbeBooks seller since November 21, 2024
Condition: Used
£ 3,056.54
Quantity: 1 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
Very good. Creasing. Closed edge tears. Bears 'Unclassified' stamps. Size 20.75 x 22.5 Inches. This is an October 1944 First U.S. Army military situation map of Aachen, Germany, illustrating the defenses around the city as observed from aerial photography. This map was produced only days before the soldiers of the U.S. Army stormed the city and, after three weeks, successfully captured the city from the Germans. Aachen was a strategically important city, but it held greater significance from a psychological perspective. The Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne was born in Aachen, and Hitler and the Nazis referred to the Holy Roman Emperor as the First Reich. (Hitler referred to his empire as the Third Reich, thus creating a direct line between his regime and the Holy Roman Empire.) Aachen was the first city in Germany captured by the Allies, and this blow must have weighed heavily on Hitler's mind. The Overprinting The main point of interest is the red overprinting. Prepared by the First U.S. Army APID (likely, Aerial Photography Interpretation Detachment), the overprinting marks antiaircraft guns, mobile howitzers, searchlights, forts, trenches with firing positions, antitank obstacles, and more. Each enemy position is dated (day-month, so for example September 10 is 10-9). American aerial photograph interpreters thus created this overprinting using aerial photographs taken in early to mid-September for the positions north of Aachen and late September for those south of Aachen. The positions were plotted on maps by the photograph interpreters, converted into standardized notations, printed on maps by an engineer topographic battalion in the field, and distributed to the soldiers (likely the officers and only a select few because no one wanted such sensitive material to fall into enemy hands). This was an extraordinary advancement in military strategy, and the U.S. Army specially trained some of its soldiers to handle it. A Closer Look The base map labels numerous smaller towns and villages around Aachen, along with churches, and even individual dwellings. Topographic lines illustrate terrain. Aachen's many railway lines are recognizable. A key is included along the right border. The Battle of Aachen The Battle of Aachen began in mid-September, when the First U.S. Army commenced operations to encircle Aachen. These battles lasted for weeks and faced fierce resistance from the German defenders. The encirclement was nearly complete by the beginning of October when the commanding officer of the First U.S. Army, Lieutenant General Courtney Hodges, ordered the divisions under his command to attack the city itself. Bitter street-to-street and house-to-house fighting ensued, and the battle raged from October 2, 1944, until October 21, 1944, when the German forces defending Aachen unconditionally surrendered to the Americans. The Battle of Aachen was a strategic victory for the Allies. Aachen was the first major German city to be captured by the Allies and secured the communication and supply lines for the First U.S. Army's advance into Germany. However, this victory did come at a heavy cost. American forces suffered approximately 3,500 casualties and did not complete the encirclement, so elements of the German army were able to retreat instead of surrender. Provenance This map was deaccessioned from the collection of the Defence Geographic Center (DGC) in the United Kingdom. The DGC's history begins in 1803 when the Depot of Military Knowledge was established as part of the British Army. A Topographical Branch was part of the Depot of Military Knowledge and was responsible for military mapping. After several name changes over the following century, the body responsible for military mapping became the Geographical Section, General Staff (GSGS) in 1908. The name changed again to the Directorate of Military Survey in 1943, and the DGC was formed in 2000. Publication History and Census This map was prepared by the APID of the First U.S. Army a.…
Seller Inventory # AachenDefenses-firstarmy-1944
Bibliographic details
- Title
- Aachen. German Defences Prepared by First U.S. Army APID. Sheet 5202.
- Author
- 1944 First U.S. Army Situation Map of Aachen, Germany, Illustrating German Defenses
- Publication year
- 1944
- Seller catalogs
- GERMANY-BOHEMIA-POLAND
Geographicus Rare Antique Maps
Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 7 to 14 business days | 2 to 8 business days |
|---|---|---|
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Geographicus Rare Antique Maps was founded in New York, New York, by Kevin James Brown in 1999. We are specialist antiquarians dealing in historic maps from all over the world and in all price ranges. Our enthusiasm, passion, and devotion to scholarship is expressed in our meticulously researched descriptions, among the most detailed and comprehensive available anywhere, for each and every rare map that passes over our desk. This same devotion guides the relationships of honesty and trust we have fostered with our clients, whether through purchasing or selling a rare map, getting an appraisal, or simply calling to discuss antique maps in general. We are happy to assist you no matter whether you are an interior decorator, an institution, an experienced collector, or are just looking for a single antique map. Geographicus is a member of the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America), the ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers), the New York Map Society, the Washington Map Society, the IMCOS, and the Society for the History of Discoveries. While primarily an internet-based company, we are happy to meet with clients to show our antique maps by appointment at our New York City location.…
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MAPSAssociation member
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Terms of sale
Geographicus Rare Antique Maps was founded in New York, New York, by Kevin James Brown in 1999. We are specialist antiquarians dealing in historic maps from all over the world and in all price ranges. Our enthusiasm, passion and devotion to scholarship is expressed in our meticulously researched descriptions, among the most detailed and comprehensive available anywhere, for each and every rare map that passes over our desk.
This same devotion guides the relationships of honesty and trust we have fostered with our clients, whether through purchasing or selling a rare map, getting an appraisal, or simply calling to discuss antique maps in general. We are happy to assist you no matter whether you are an interior decorator, an institution, an experienced collector, or are just looking for a single antique map.
Geographicus is a member of the ABAA (Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America), the ILAB (International League of Antiquarian Booksellers), Philip Lee Phillips Society, the New York Map Society, the Washington Map Society, the International Map Collectors Society and the Society for the History of Discoveries. While primarily an internet-based company, we are happy to meet with clients to show our antique maps by appointment at our New York City location.
Geographicus also works with clients to provide map themed interior design services as well as manufacture and install collection storage and display solutions.
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