A rare original WW2 British Army map of the River Rhine featuring the riverbank directly opposite WESEL, and including the main highway bridge leading straight into to the South of the city. The bridge was accessed through an old set of fortifications which also appear on the map. As the Germans retreated across the Rhine on the 10th March 1945, they destroyed the bridge along with the main railway bridge just North on the adjoining map

Produced as part of a small print run at the highly detailed scale of 1:12,500, its content was informed by aerial reconnaissance photographs. A couple of pencil arrows record the route its original owner took to reach the new pontoon crossings the Allies were forced to build for OPERATION PLUNDER which began on the 23rd march 1945. 

Examples of this sheet are incredibly rare, and this one came with two adjoining maps (listed separately). Previously, the only other examples I have ever seen came from unissued archive stock which was deaccessioned from a government map depository a few decades ago. The three currently in my possession are the only ones I've ever seen which have actually been used in the field.

Printed in February 1945.

A great piece of History in very good 'field used' condition (see photos).