Frankfurt—N.E. 50/6—1:500,000 Europe (Air)'. RAF Second World War Bomber Command Operational Air Map of the Ruhr Industrial Target Region — Signed by 24 Pilots and Aircrew, including Three Victoria Cross Recipients and Six Dambusters. Printed by the War Office in 1942 at the height of the RAF’s strategic bombing offensive, this large operational air chart depicts the heart of Germany’s industrial Ruhr basin — the principal objective of Bomber Command’s sustained assault on the Reich’s war industry. Signed in ink by a remarkable assembly of RAF aircrew, including Victoria Cross recipients Leonard Cheshire VC, William Reid VC and Norman Jackson VC, together with veterans of No. 617 Squadron (“Dambusters”) — Harold Martin, David Shannon, Donald Maclean, Daniel Revie Walker, Ken Brown and Bill Howarth. Also present is Don Bennett, founder of the Pathfinder Force, and a member of 161 (Special Duties) Squadron responsible for clandestine SOE and SIS operations in occupied Europe. An extraordinary wartime map uniting the operational geography of the Ruhr with an exceptional concentration of distinguished Bomber Command signatures. Provenance: sold Sotheby’s, 1997 (partially redacted copy of invoice and buyer's statement included). . Geographical Section General Staff. Compiled and drawn at War Office. Published Compiled and drawn 1940. This edition dated 10/1942. World War Two issue R.A.F. aeronautical map, manually signed by 24 pilots and aircrew, laid down onto board. Size 62 x 79 cm | 24.5 x 31.0 inches. Condition: Good; suitable for framing. Manually signed and annotated in ink. The map has been laid down onto board. Please check the scan for any blemishes prior to making your purchase. Please contact us if you would like to arrange to view this map. There is nothing printed on the reverse side, which is plain. Tags: 1942, Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, Germany | Prussia, Map, Second World War, War Office

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