This fascinating World War II-era map was published only a month before Operation Edelweiss initiated the Battle of the Caucasus. The map emphasizes the importance of oil in the Caucasus to the Soviets and oil in Iraq and Iran to British soldiers in Africa and Asia, and expresses anxiety over what may happen if those supplies are cut off. It depicts the region from the Sea of Azov south to the northern tip of the Persian Gulf and Shiraz. There is French text throughout the landscape with information on the region, and a legend identifies oil fields, forests, steppes, deserts, oases, oil refineries, and more. Pipelines are depicted in red. Inset maps at left show the oil fields of Baku (a German target in Operation Edelweiss), oil production and consumption around the world, and the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran. The map was designed by graphic artist Jacques Mercier for the June 28, 1942 edition of 7 Jours. The entire issue of the magazine is included here, with Pierre Laval, leader of the Vichy government, on the cover.

References: Rumsey #15802.

Condition: A

Map is near fine with a horizontal fold by a previous owner.