D-DAY MAP OF ALL LANDING BEACHES WITH KEY TO GERMAN GUN EMPLACEMENTS
Historically important pairing of items including a pre-invasion printed map with plots of all of the OVERLORD landing beaches, as well as all known German gun emplacements and radar installations in the region of the landing beaches, sold with the top secret appendix with reference numbers corresponding to the map which set forth fuller information on each installation. The 44" x 29 1/2" map, boldly marked 'TOP SECRET BIGOT", used a nautical map covering the coast from Cap Levi to St. Pierre en Port (east of Le Havre) as an initial template. A British Army cartographer then added a voluminous amount of detail "Based on information to April 14, 1944", including the names of each of the American and British landing beaches and individual sectors therein, dozens of artillery positions, their caliber, radar positions, coast watcher positions, location of casemates, and estimated range of fire shown as arcs. The legend shows the caliber of each artillery piece, and directs the reader to "Annexe C" for further details. Present also is "Annexe D Text and Traces of Coast Defenses ON 1. Appendix VII", one of the constantly-updated texts providing up-to-date information on the installations and corrections to be made to the chart. The 8 1/2" x 13" string-bound text, dated April 25, 1944, contains 40 pages. Initially, the text amends tracings provided with an earlier annex, then offers a seven page summary of German coastal defenses. There follows twelve pages of photos, architectural drawings and descriptive text concerning beach obstacles and mines, as well as every conceivable type of concrete or steel fortification which might be encountered within a few miles of the coast. The balance of the annex uses grid numbers which correspond with grid numbers appearing on the map and sets forth all information known about the particular installation at the time. Comments may include rate of fire, range, arc of fire, extent and type of construction, nearby mine fields, trenches, soldiers' housing, communications, road type and ease of access, camouflage, and much more. It is frankly amazing the amount of information that was gathered from locals and resistance members in order to prepare the map and annex. The map bears a few clean tears at fold junctures, else very good, the annex is near fine condition. Truly an important addition to the historic record.