A very rare WW2 British map of Germany from a boxed 'Campaign Set' of maps which was specially produced to be stowed aboard TANKS and other ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES such as scout cars etc. These 'Campaign Sets' are so rare that very little information is available online, but a few months ago I was lucky enough to find a complete set from the Normandy Campaign, and was able to consult a WW2 tank enthusiast who is in the process of writing an article on them.

The single map listed here is 'SHEET N.53' entitled "BERLIN" from the British War Office's 'GSGS 4346' "Germany" series, and it would have originally been housed, along with dozens of others, in a small brown 'suitcase' style carrier. (I still have a photo of the Normandy set in its original carrying case if anybody would like to see an example.)

Whilst maps from these sets covered identical areas to regular GSGS mapping sheets, they were not 'standard issue', as they were specially produced with a glossy coating similar to that used for the RAF's 'FOLDEX' system map sets. (The 'FOLDEX' covers state that this surface can be written on in 'chinagraph' pencils and then rubbed out with a normal eraser so that they could be used repeatedly for plotting different flightpaths etc.) Whether, or not, the special coating on tank maps was for the same purpose is debatable, but the distinctive shiny surface can clearly be seen in the images I have provided.

Furthermore, the borders of 'Campaign Set' maps were deliberately reduced in size, with very little regard for the usual marginal information. This was apparently to fit the size of the pre-existing hard case, the design and size of which was already in service with similar sets of UK maps for domestic military purposes. Despite this, many campaign set maps still retained portions of the original standard sheet margins, but for absolute clarity, this 'abridged' format is exactly how they were issued. They were not trimmed after being issued, and the perfect edges are and crisp folds confirm that the size of the margins was a deliberate decision at the pre-production stage.

Therefore, to aid storage, identification and retrieval from the case, each map had a (double-sided) glossy linen-backed tab indicating the relevant sheet number and GSGS Series number. These can be cross-referenced with the relevant index cards which were stored in the case's lid via four riveted tabs. These index cards also contained the information normally included in the margins, such as keys of 'CONVENTIONAL SIGNS' and 'GRID SYSTEMS' etc.

The single map listed here is in excellent condition for its age and service use, and has the main title handwritten in the margin, suggesting that it may have been more practical for its original owner to retrieve his maps from the case via their location titles rather than sheet number.

Interestingly, a human hair is captured in the glaze and extends beneath the index tab, showing that it can be traced to the actual production of the map.

It's one of only three such maps that I have just recently acquired, and I'd be very surprised if I see many more in the future.