The Not-so Soft Underside by Richard Edes Harrison. Mediterranean 1943 old map
SKU: P-7-019876
'The Not-so Soft Underside'
Richard Edes Harrison said of his map "The view was selected to undermine Churchill’s insistence that Europe had to be attacked in its 'soft underbelly.' My working title for this map was ‘How soft this the Belly?’ The weasel-worded printed title was selection of the editors." Published in January 1943 as "The Not-So-Soft Underside", the map offers a strategic overview of the Mediterranean region amid the ongoing WWII campaign. Following the Allied landings in North Africa in November 1942, the Mediterranean had become a crucial theatre of operations, with the Allies aiming to secure a southern gateway into Europe. The map and its accompanying text challenge the prevailing military orthodoxy of the Mediterranean as the Axis's “soft” or easily invaded underbelly, highlighting instead the significant geographic, logistical, and military obstacles. The text emphasizes the difficulty of advancing through mountainous terrain like the Pyrenees, Alps, and Balkans, which have historically hindered invasions. It also stresses the strategic importance of Allied control over the Mediterranean in disrupting Axis supply lines and compelling Germany to defend its southern borders. With a dramatic perspective as if viewed from space, the map centers on Southern Europe from the Allied vantage point in North Africa. The topographical emphasis underscores natural barriers and strategically important locations, while the projection and scale highlight the vast, challenging expanse of the Mediterranean theatre. This innovative approach effectively conveys the region's geographic complexities and military challenges. The Allied invasion of Italy, which began several months later in July 1943, led quickly to the collapse of the Fascist regime and Italy changing sides; Hitler was required to move a considerable number of his forces from the Eastern Front to defend his "soft underbelly". The Allies suffered approximately 375,000 casualties in the Italian campaign before the German capitulation in May 1945
Size 35 x 55 cm | 14.0 x 21.5 inches
Date Published: January 1943
Type: Vintage colour persuasive map. Two sheets conjoined
Author: Harrison, Richard Edes
Publication: Fortune Magazine
Condition: Good |
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