Frankfurt/Ruhr—GSGS—RAF WW2—Signed by 25 aircrew inc 3 VCs+6 Dambusters 1942 map

£11,260

SKU: P-9-000969

'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).

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Size 62 x 79 cm | 24.5 x 31.0 inches

Date Published: Compiled and drawn 1940. This edition dated 10/1942

Type: World War Two issue R.A.F. aeronautical map, manually signed by 24 pilots and aircrew, laid down onto board

Author: War Office

Geographical Section General Staff. Compiled and drawn at War Office

Publication: War Office

Published by Geographical Section General Staff (War Office)

Condition: Good |

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

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Condition Guide

We assess the condition of each item using three categories: Good, Fair, and Poor. We strive to ensure that any significant flaws are clearly shown in the images provided and detailed in the accompanying condition statement.

Good

The item presents well, with no significant flaws, and is in frameable condition. Minor imperfections—such as light spotting or offsetting, small blemishes, tight margins, neatly repaired tears, or discreet/professionally executed restoration—do not materially detract from its overall appearance.

Fair

The item shows noticeable flaws but remains in frameable condition. Some buyers may feel these imperfections affect its visual appeal. Typical issues may include more prominent spotting, blemishes, bleed-through from the reverse, obvious offsetting, visible or extensive restoration, wear along fold lines or junctures, small wormholes, trimmed or closely cropped edges, or less carefully executed repairs.

Poor

The item has major flaws that significantly impact its presentation and/or suitability for framing. These may include heavy spotting, staining, bleed-through, offsetting, unrepaired damage, or poorly executed repairs such as tears, holes, or areas of paper loss (including within the printed image). The item may also be fragile and prone to further deterioration.