Especially rare and important Allied map showing the Okinawa town, Yonabaru, on a 1:25,000 scale and dated May 17, 1945 at the right in red just beneath the marking ‘SECRET’. Below this label are the directions ‘Not to be carried forward of division command posts. Not to be carried in aircraft’. The 22.5 x 20 in. topographical map shows the locations of coastal defense guns, artillery, radio towers and stations, trenches, reefs, underwater obstacles, lighthouses, roads, railroads, rice fields, and Japanese defensive lines. The folds, which show it was folded down to a pocket-size, indicate this map was assuredly field used. At the bottom left it is marked ‘Contours Revised By 64th Engr. Top. Bn. USAFPOA April 1945 From Captured Japanese Map’, clearly stating this map was created from a used map of a captured Japanese soldier. In pencil at the top right margin is the name of the owner ‘M/SGT. GAGAT’. Our research has revealed the Master Sergeant who owned and carried this map in the field to be Matthew Gagat, head of the machine shop on Okinawa and in charge of 50 mechanics and welders, tasked with repairing the 40-ton tanks, half-tracks and other vehicles on the island. Gagat had a brother who fought in the intense battles on the island as a 1st sergeant of the 6th Marine Division, and had barely survived. On the reverse is an aerial view of Yonabaru. The Battle of Okinawa commenced on May 26, 1945, a mere nine days after the creation of this particular map. The battle was the bloodiest in the Pacific, nicknamed ‘typhoon of steel’ for the ferocious fighting, kamikaze attacks, and the sheer number of ships and armored vehicles of the Allies. An exceptional relic. Expected wear, showing heavy foxing and some marginal tears.