Title: Strait of Dover—GSGS—RAF WW2—Signed by Bomber Harris + Dambuster pilots 1943 map Description: Strait of Dover—Ordnance Survey of Great Britain (Aeronautical Map)—R.A.F. (War)—Fourth edition Sheet 8—G.S.G.S. 4369 [Signed by Arthur Harris, Commander-in-Chief, Bomber Command 1942-1945, and 617 Dambuster Squadron pilots Mick Martin (P-Popsie) & David Shannon (L-Love). Manually annotated]. A unique RAF wartime aeronautical map of south-east England and north-west Europe, issued in February 1943 and later signed by Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur “Bomber” Harris, Commander-in-Chief of RAF Bomber Command (1942–1945), together with two pilots of No. 617 Squadron—the “Dambusters”: Harold “Mick” Martin (Lancaster AJ-P, “P-Popsie”) and David Shannon (AJ-L, “L-Love”). The map is manually annotated—apparently in Martin’s hand—marking the crossing point of the Dutch coast on the outward leg of Operation Chastise, the famous raid on the Ruhr dams, 16–17 May 1943. Martin was the third aircraft to attack the Möhne Dam and, despite damage to his Lancaster, completed his bombing run. After the Möhne was breached, Shannon proceeded to the Eder Dam, where his bomb is believed to have caused the initial fracture prior to its final breach. Both officers were awarded the Distinguished Service Order for this raid. Included with the map is a copy of the official HMSO map, The Dams Raid 16th–17th May 1943, from the Official British History of the War, illustrating the full operational routes flown by Martin and Shannon, thereby contextualising the annotated crossing point recorded on this sheet. An exceptional operational artefact directly associated with one of the most iconic missions of the Second World War. Provenance: sold Sotheby’s, 1997 (partially redacted copies of invoice and buyer's statement included). . Geographical Section General Staff (War Office), from Ordnance Survey, Admiralty Charts, Carte de France & Map of the Netherlands. Published 2/1943. World War Two issue R.A.F. aeronautical map, manually annotated and signed. Size 64 x 100 cm | 25.0 x 39.5 inches. Condition: Good; suitable for framing. Manually signed and annotated in ink. 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: 1943, Dover, Europe, Great Britain, Map, North West Europe, Second World War, Shannon, War Office
Reserve: $16,092.00
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