Title: GSGS Restricted Cold War silk escape/evasion map—N-H-38—Basra—Baghdad—Iraq 1953 Description: Basra — Restricted— Eighth Edition – GSGS— Asia 1:1,000,000— North H-38 // Baghdad — Restricted— Fifth Edition – GSGS— sheet ref North I-38— Asia 1:1,000,000'. A Cold War-era silk escape map—Restricted—Basra // Baghdad—issued by the Geographical Section General Staff, War Office, in the early 1950s. Fabric escape-and-evasion maps were developed during the Second World War by the British military intelligence organisation MI9, notably under the direction of Christopher Clayton Hutton. A prolific inventor of devices for covert military and espionage use, Hutton is also thought to have been one of the inspirations for Ian Fleming’s conception of Q Branch. Printed on both sides of rayon cloth, such maps were durable, silent in use, and easily concealed. Originally issued to airmen for use if shot down behind enemy lines, they were later also supplied to Special Forces. The present example covers one of the most strategically important theatres in the British Middle East series: one side maps Basra, the Shatt al-Arab, Kuwait, and the northern Gulf littoral; the reverse covers Baghdad and the Tigris-Euphrates heartland of Iraq. Its continued operational relevance is underscored by the fact that this edition of the map was issued to SAS units during the 1991 Gulf War, when more up-to-date fabric maps were reportedly unavailable; the map is mentioned in Andy McNab’s Bravo Two Zero, and illustrated in Peter Ratcliffe’s Eye of the Storm. . Geographical Section General Staff (War Office). From Middle East map MDR I/1363. Revised and reproduced by Ordnance Survey. Published 1953 - Published by War Office 1942. From a Middle East map, 7th edition 1944. Eighth edition GSGS 1951. Magnetic variation June 1953 // Published by War Office 1928. Reprinted from 4th edition 1944. 5th GSGS 1944. Isogonals revised to 1953. Cold War era double-sided GSGS silk fabric escape and evasion map. Size 62 x 71 cm | 24.0 x 28.0 inches. Condition: Good; suitable for framing. The nature of the map is such that the printing on the reverse side shows through to the front somewhat. 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 map is printed on both sides. Tags: 1953, Asia, Baghdad, Iraq, Iraq | Mesopotamia, Kuwait, Map, Middle East, Military maps, War Office
Reserve: $440.00
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