79th Armoured Division

Vibrant unit history featuring a host of interesting military hardware.

This action-packed World War II map shows the approximate route of the 79th Armoured Division across the English Channel, through France and Belgium, and into Germany. As hinted by the spelling, the unit was a British division that was specially organized for use in the Normandy invasion. Highly modified armored fighting vehicles (mostly Sherman and Churchill tanks) were included to perform operations ranging from mine clearing to bridge building. Since the 79th was led by Percy Hobart, these customized war machines were affectionately called ‘Hobart’s Funnies.’

Several well-known examples can be seen on the page, including the Crocodile (a flame-throwing tank), the AVRE (a tank fitted with a spigot mortar, known as the ‘flying dustbin’), the ARK (Armored Ramp Carrier), and the Crab (equipped with a mine flail). The specialized equipment is outlined in a table in the upper left, while divisional strength prior to crossing the Rhine River is listed in the lower right. Insignia of attached units comprise the decorative border.

The map was originally published in Hamburg as part of the unit history, The Story of 79th Armoured Division: October 1942 – June 1945, published in Hamburg in July of 1945, shortly after the city was liberated. This might be a slightly later example, as it shows no fold lines like those normally included with the volume.