Pershing Off. Map of the Amer. Zone of Occupation in Germany Following World War I, Used by a Member of General's Staff

Printed map, consisting of nine sheets, with copious ink and watercolor annotations, 73" x 48", [December 1918]. An untitled map depicting northern France, southern Belgium, Luxembourg and the central Rhineland. Usual folds with a few minor partial separations as well as a few minor tears and losses at intersections, some marginal tears and creases, light toning and soiling, several spots reinforced on verso with paper, else very good.

This dramatic map shows the phased Allied advance into the Rhineland following the armistice of November 11, 1918 depicting the limits of each day's advance into Germany by American, British, Belgian and French forces. Also indicated are the ultimate boundaries of occupation, including some last-minute revisions made between the American and French zones of occupation. The map chronicles the Allied advance into Germany that began on November 18 and reached the Rhine on December 11. The American and French bridgehead zones, which helped guarantee Allied control of this strategic river are shown in large semicircles outlined in yellow. During the occupation of the Rhineland, United States forces consisted of 240,000 men in 9 divisions and remained in Germany until January 1923. French forces remained in the Rhineland until 1930 (and did not relinquish the Saar region until a plebiscite in 1935).

The map was part of a collection kept by General Robert C. Richardson (1882-1954). By the time the United States entered the First World War, Richardson, a captain, assisted in the rapid buildup of training of the American Expeditionary Force (A.E.F.) bound for France. Fluent in French, Richardson served as an aide and observer with foreign armies before being assigned to the Operations Division, General Staff, A.E.F. as a liaison officer in June 1918. In that capacity, he was involved in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives. Following the Armistice of November 11, 1918, Richardson served on the Reparations Board of the Peace Commission in Paris and then as part of U.S. Army occupation forces in Germany stationed at Coblenz and later at Mainz. Richardson, a career Army officer was a member of the West Point Class of 1904, serving in the Philippines and as an instructor of modern languages at the United States Military Academy. During the Second World War, Richardson served as Commanding General of the Hawaiian Department and was instrumental in training American troops in the fundamentals of jungle warfare and amphibious assaults.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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