A very rare original WW2 "AIR ROUTE MAP" which was produced by the British controlled 'Survey Department, Accra (Gold Coast)' for use by the RAF.
It's one of a consecutive series of three I'm listing, with all three seemingly printed in 1943.
The example listed here is 'AIR ROUTE MAP No.2' entitled "HARPER - FREETOWN", and so it features the critical Naval and RAF bases at FREETOWN which were important for the protection of Allied convoys.
HARPER, shown to the East, is approximately half way to RAF Takoradi which was famous for the "TAKORADI AIR ROUTE".
(Due to difficulties of reinforcement Allied aircraft and supplies accessing North Africa, thousands of planes were shipped in pieces to the West African coast and either assembled at RAF Takoradi to be flown Northwards, or trucked for assembly on arrival. RAF Takoradi's importance to the North African Campaign cannot be underestimated, and the same route was also used for supplying aid to Russia and the Middle East. In addition, the base at Takoradi also housed '26 Squadron' of the South African Air Force which undertook anti-submarine patrols and convoy protection.)
Therefore, the aircraft stationed at FREETOWN would have been instrumental in protecting incoming Allied convoys carrying such supplies. No.95 Squadron RAF was stationed at FREETOWN undertaking such duties.
The three maps connect the regions' important RAF bases in a Westwards direction from TAKORADI - HARPER - FREETOWN - BATHURST.
This map was part of a very small print run of only 3,000 in 1943, so this indicates just how rare these 'Air Route Maps' are today.
Measures 88cm x 44cm.
Will be shipped as per its existing fold lines. (There are already two light horizontal folds where the wide margins have been folded back.)
In great condition.
Please see my other WW2 (and WW1) maps, photos, documents etc.
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(Seller's Ref - EB239)