A fascinating set of maps shows the competing interests for oil during or shortly after World War II.

A. Oil - The Target of the Axis, by Edwin Sundberg, from Sunday News, published 1942, printed color (21.1 x 14.2"). This map shows the oil fields, refineries, and pipelines in the Middle East that the Axis powers were attempting to access. The Axis battle "thrusts" are depicted through the Caucasus, Crimea, Turkey, Syria and Egypt while the United Nations Army is shown at center. The note at lower left further states that "the drive for life-blood for Hitler's heavily mechanized armies turns to Iran, Egypt, Bahrein, Saudi Arabia and the Russian Caucasus."

B. The Middle East, by Edwin Sundberg, from Sunday News, published 1946, printed color (20.4 x 14.1"). A post-war map showing oil fields, refineries, pipelines, railroads and ship routes. It highlights many of the residual conflicts from the war including the Arab-Jewish Conflict in Israel/Palestine, Lebanon/Syrian drive for independence, and various Russian claims in the region.

C. Nazis Strike for Red Oil, published 1942, black & white (9.8 x 8.4"). This small map shows the Nazi progress in accesses oil in the Caucasus. Refineries, pipe lines, and oil fields are identified, along with the Nazi drives into the region. Text below the map describes the situation in detail.

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Condition: B+

Pleasant light toning with a few minor edge tears closed on verso with hinge tape.