"Through-Way Town Plans of FRANCE", Vol. 2 (Normandy), 1944

One of the Holy Grails of WWII Collecting, this rare small black and red printed town plans of France was prepared in 1943 at London, and was issued in 1944 to the American and British Forces for Overlord. This guide was given to Officers storming the beaches at during the Invasion of Europe, which would cover not only the towns (Carentan, Valognes, Cherbourg…) in the breakout beachhead but all surrounding areas.

The 89 town plans in Volume 2 (Normandy west of the seine) were mostly based on the Michelin Guides of 1939. However, the outstanding aerial photographs of towns in volumes 2 were taken in preparation for the Normandy invasion by P-38/F5 Lightning and Mosquito reconnaissance aircraft which mapped the whole of the invasion area in the months prior to D-Day.

The "Through-Way Town of Plans" shows maps, water sources, railways, factories, notes on local people, agriculture etc., but also folding plans of Paris and Rouen.

Dated 1944.