Subject: Pacific Ocean, World War II
Period: 1944 (published)
Publication:
Color: Printed Color
Size:
28.1 x 18.4 inches
71.4 x 46.7 cm
This example of World War II-era persuasive cartography depicts the Pacific theater of the war, centering on Japan. It is a China Burma India Theater (CBI) edition, published on August 7, 1944. An inset time table outlines the military activity in the region, beginning with Japan's occupation of Thailand on December 7, 1941, and continuing through the Second Battle of Guam on July 20, 1944. These battles are followed by a list of hypothetical victories, such as taking the China coast, Philippines, Formosa, and Japan, with instructions for soldiers to "fill in the dates as these possible objectives are taken." The map subtly emphasizes the turning tide of the war, with the early Japanese victories (highlighted in red) giving way to a steady stream of Allied victories. A map on verso details Allied gains in France in the two months following D-Day. Additional text and photographs provide updates on various other fronts.
The map is one of the "newsmaps" published by the U.S. Army from 1942-46. These maps were designed to keep American troops updated on the war. The weekly posters were distributed and posted in every American installation in the world and were intentionally more visual than descriptive to help engage and motivate personnel.
References:
Condition: A
Issued folding with a few spots in the blank margins.