WILLIAM J. DONOVAN (1883-1959) 'Wild Bill', American brigadier general chosen by Roosevelt to head the O.S.S. (precursor to the C.I.A.). Donovan planted over 16,000 people behind enemy lines and developed elaborate plans to subvert Axis military operations. Rare captured German map used by Donovan's intelligence department of the vaunted U.S. 165th Regiment, originally the famous 69th New York Infantry 'Fighting Irish', commanded by Donovan. The regiment would distinguish itself at the Second Battle of the Marne, the Ourcq River during the Aisne-Marne Offensive, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Donovan himself would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in mid-October, 1918. The map, marked 'Secret' and dated July 22, 1918, is from a month or two prior to the Meuse-Argonne campaign and measures 22 x 23 in. The topographical map is overprinted with areas designated 'a' through 'h' representing the size and locations of various German companies entrenched behind miles of barbed wire in the region just north of Jury. Other details include the location of German machine gun positions, retreat positions, the extent and composition of the opposite American lines, etc. Soiled at the upper-left with rough margins, else very good. Such valuable maps were sometimes captured by American parties sent to raid German positions to take prisoners and capture such vital information. This map, along with other maps and documents, were contained within two of Donovan's footlockers purchased by our consignor and offered elsewhere in this sale.