Strait of Dover—GSGS—RAF WW2—Signed by Bomber Harris + Dambuster pilots 1943 map
£11,260
SKU: P-9-000968
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).
Size 64 x 100 cm | 25.0 x 39.5 inches
Date Published: 2/1943
Type: World War Two issue R.A.F. aeronautical map, manually annotated and signed
Author: War Office
Publication: War Office
Condition: Good |
Delivery & Returns
Packing
Items smaller than A4 size are usually packed in a stiffened, board-backed envelope. Larger items are rolled and packed in postal tubes. Large items which are too stiff to be rolled in wide-diameter tubes are mailed in all-board envelopes. In the unlikely event of damage in transit, please send the affected item or items back to us and we will provide a replacement or refund.
Delivery
Economy, tracked and express shipping options are available to all destinations worldwide. Over half our orders are sent to customers outside the United Kingdom and we have supplied over 30,000 buyers in over 70 different countries. We ship orders virtually every business day to customers in North America and Europe. The cost of delivery depends on the size of the largest item in your order, where you are located, and the delivery method that you choose at checkout. For orders received before 2pm, we can arrange delivery next day in the UK, within 2 business days to continental Europe and North America, and within 4 days to most other countries worldwide (excludes PO Box or APO/FPO (Military) addresses).
Returns
We accept returns for any reason if sent back to us within 14 days of receipt of your order. If any of your items are not as described, we will provide a full refund including reasonable return postage costs upon safe return to us. If you have changed your mind, you are responsible for the cost of returning the item to us. We describe the size, age and condition of all our products as fully and accurately as possible. Most of the items which we sell are in very good condition. However, the condition of antique and vintage prints and maps can vary. All of our product listings including a statement which classifies the condition as being either “Good”, “Fair”, or (rarely) “Poor” and which describes any material flaws, blemishes, imperfections or other significant features such as folds. Please read the description carefully before purchase.
Can we help? For more details or any questions.