I've found various references to where it may be possible to find these items (discounting the 1950's online Texan source), people noting their appearance of ebay, or ordering from the British Library if not local (caveat emptor - make sure you know what you are ordering) but I need to go definitive on these and probably bite-the-bullet-and-make-a-trip... There are various references to maps used littered in the diaries numerous of us have acquired, but where are these maps, and how on earth have they never surfaced as an online resource...? These are the ones that must have been used in local campaigns throughout the war... Any ideas...?
I've found various references to where it may be possible to find these items (discounting the 1950's online Texan source), people noting their appearance of ebay, or ordering from the British Library if not local (caveat emptor - make sure you know what you are ordering) but I need to go definitive on these and probably bite-the-bullet-and-make-a-trip... There are various references to maps used littered in the diaries numerous of us have acquired, but where are these maps, and how on earth have they never surfaced as an online resource...? These are the ones that must have been used in local campaigns throughout the war... Any ideas...? They do have the original British maps used by the Army at the british Library but these are copyrighted by the MOD, and that is why they have never surfaced online. This does or does not bother matter depending on who you ask inthe British Libaries copying dept. (a)Decide which scale you want (important), the country and the region. (b)Contact the Library regarding membership if you have not done so already. (c)Obtain your Library Card (see the British Library website) (d)Book a seat in the Map Room. (e)Go to the Map Room Equiry Desk to get the Map Index Book in order to find the Map sheet you are after (*Hint* study the region breifly before you go and use towns and coastline as a reference to your region of interest) (f) i) Use the catalogue to find the map sheet number of the map sheet you are interested in. The enquiry desk will help you with this. or ii) if they have it order the Map sets/collection for all the maps in a country. This is a big folder but saves you time ordering one sheet at a time. Also they may not have the individual map sheet in their catalogue, but they may have grouped uncatalogued in a larger collection. Before you go you may want to email both the Map room and the membership Dept for help with the above, or use the catalogue if you have the sheet number to ensure that they have what you are after.
In some of the war diaries held at Kew there are original maps. Can't guarantee this is the case in all diaries but I gave certainly seen them. It's certainly worth a look. Saw original maps of Italy in 5 Battalion GG yesterday. Regards Gary
Here are a couple of links for on-line maps: Holland 1:25,000, GSGS4427 maps: grote oorlogskaarten Belgium & NE France 1:100,000, GSGS 4336 Series (and others) from Princeton University: metadata explorer Richard
Hi Gary, I've got all the relevant diaries (known to exist) and no maps are with these; I've yet to brave the volumes that are the command structure (!!!), but I have found some elsewhere (ie Barton's Narrative - still working on these tomes) Phaethon I accept the challenge you have lain afore me... I was posting when yours came in Richard - mine are Burmese in nature but it's probably good for people to post map links for anyone thta would find them useful...
I contacted the Defense Surveyors Association and a very kind gentleman has offered a few additional pointers, so at my earliest convenience (at a guess a point early next year) off to Kings Cross I go...
you can find all these maps on www.battlefieldhistorian.com downloadable as high resolution (300 dpi), full size scans.
For the British Army production of maps was the responsibility of the Royal Engineers - as technology progressed the RAF also had input by providing air photographs which were used to provide mosaics of target areas. These of course were unmarked maps. At a unit level maps would be provided in various scales - 1inch to the mile or 1:50,000 being the normal for tactical movement by infantry. Larger scale maps 1:100,000, 1:200,000 or 1:500,000 would be used to provide a bigger tactical/strategic view. Overlays on tracing paper were often issued to units by higher headquarters to illustrate plans, locations etc. Marked maps with wartime provenance are fairly rare though sometimes the overlays are included in some of the files.
Royal Engineers: The Royal Engineers at Barton Stacey (Cartography) printed a few training precis for me before the camp was demolished and is now used as a training area for minor tactics. http://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/Unit-Info/3764 Presumably on or in some form of recorded storage.
Very reasonable price as well. If you can wait for a CD then, they can give you even higher resolution than 300dpi - in any format you want. Extremely good service - can't recommend it too highly. Also you will find that accuracy is higher than using "Co-ord Translator" (good though this free service is)
You can also view maps at The imperial War Museum, Lambeth (London). They even have some marked maps for operations. I think they were at the All Souls Annex Good luck Lawrence
