An original USMC / USN Special AIR & GUNNERY TARGET MAP of Iwo Jima 1944 / 1945. Map is a colorized topographical map with a square lettered / numbered grid denoting location of the two main airfields, tank barriers, Japanese defensive & weapons placements on the Island and assault landing positions close to Suribachi. This map was a Top Secret Special Edition prepared by the Joint Intelligence Center, Pacific Ocean Area from US Navy aerial photographs taken late 1944. The map is shown with creases & folds inside a period wood frame (no glass), together with a Okinawan national fabric matting edge surround – see photos. The map appears to be dry mounted on a rigid card nailed inside the wood frame. The edges of the map may be glued. The reverse has a brown paper dust cover with hand written text in pencil. The wood frame is 21.75 x 19.25 inches, the map is around 16.75 x 19.25 inches. The fabric mat is approximately 2.25 inches wide. On the bottom left corner is a piece of white fabric with Japanese Text – I have had this translated (included in the sale) – it reads: DECEASED, SHINHAKI MITSUBO (family name), 3 yrs OLD, SHOWA (Japanese Era), 17th Year, JULY, 29th. I understand the 17th Year of the Showa Era (1926 – 1989) is 1943. The white fabric is approx 1.4 x 4.75 inches in size. Needless to say, the translation is a poignant reminder of the suffering war can cause! The writing in pencil on the reverse is shown in the photos and reads: “Top Secret” carried under action (not certain of these last two words) Iwo Jima campaign Feb 16 1945… Below that is Nat – fabric from Okinawan tomb July’45. I cannot find any names on this map / frame, but there may a name on the back of map on inside the dust cover. Obviously the map is offered untouched since it was framed etc, and I acquired it some time ago from an elderly collector in the Central Valley CA. Other than that I have no further details. Regarding condition the map has fold & crease / split marks and surface discoloration from field service use and display. The fabric matting is slightly distorted from age, the wood frame is period post WWII. The brown paper dust cover is damaged mainly to the top & bottom areas. The top section of the matting is stuck to the map, but can be removed with extreme care. Overall a very rare USMC military map for the IWO JIMA Conflict, made famous for the raising of the US Flag on Suribachi. The item “USMC / USN SECRET-IWO JIMA SPECIAL AIR & GUNNERY TARGET MAP Original 1945 WWII” is in sale since Thursday, December 5, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\United States\Documents & Maps”. The seller is “shackvp293″ and is located in United States. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States