Title: Operational D-Day map+medals—Pegasus Bridge veteran Stan Taylor 7 Para Btn 1944 Description: Ouistreham—Defences—Sheet No. 40/16 N.W.—GSGS 4347 [Defence overprint print code 5/44/13MRS/1265]—TOP SECRET until issued for briefing to ground troops, thereafter SECRET. A extraordinary Top Secret D-Day map, medals and archive of Pegasus Bridge veteran Signalman Sergeant Stanley Taylor (1437691), 6th Airborne Division. Taylor's May 1944 G.S.G.S. operational intelligence map of the Ouistreham–Ranville sector shows the ground on which he landed in the early hours of 6 June 1944 with the 7th (Light Infantry) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment — part of the now-legendary airborne vanguard tasked with seizing and holding the vital crossings over the River Orne at Ranville, including the Pegasus and Horsa Bridges. The overprinted invasion map shows, in exceptional detail, German defensive positions and capabilities, and the strategic crossings his unit was ordered to secure. The archive includes his Normandy Campaign Medal, France & Germany Star and three further campaign medals; regimental insignia; a demobilisation testimonial praising his “sterling work on parachute operations in Normandy… his ability as a wireless operator and telegraphist is far above average”; and exhibition research material documenting his service. Contemporary Ranville postcards collected by Taylor depict the Ranville (Horsa) bridge, the Château de Guernon-Ranville (converted into a field hospital on D-Day), and Église Notre-Dame de Ranville, scarred in the battle and adjoining today’s Ranville War Cemetery. The archive material illuminates Taylor’s full wartime exploits and service: initially deployed behind enemy lines in North Africa with the Long Range Desert Group, from D-Day he served continuously in the advance towards Germany, taking part the Rhine Crossing in Operation Varsity (March 1945), the largest airborne landing in history. He was later deployed to Singapore, where he helped oversee the Japanese surrender ceremony. A cohesive, historically compelling airborne D-Day and Rhine crossing collection with direct Pegasus Bridge provenance — rare to find intact, and powerfully evocative of the critical early airborne assault that secured the eastern flank of Overlord. . Geographical Section General Staff (War Office). Compiled from Air photographs on a control provided by existing French Triangulation. Published Third edition April 1944—Defence overprint information as at May 1944. Large operational War Office military intelligence map showing the German defences in the vicinity of Ouistreham used by Signalman Sergeant Stanley Taylor, together with his medals, badges and a portfolio of his war record including photos, articles and postcards. Size 55 x 71 cm | 21.5 x 28.0 inches. Condition: Good; suitable for framing. Blemishes, light soiling, folding and wear consistent with operational use in active service during Operation Overlord. A small area of paper loss at juncture. 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. This is a folding map. The Defence overprint Legend is printed on the reverse side - see second image. Tags: 1944, Calvados, France | Gaul, Map, Ouistreham, Second World War, War Office
Reserve: $12,861.00
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