Ankara [and] Sinop

RESTRICTED evasion chart of portions of Turkey from the early 1950s.

This fascinating relic from the Cold War provides a high-level overview (issued at a scale of 1:1,000,000) of the areas around the important Turkish cities of Ankara and Sinop. The map, printed on synthetic cloth, was issued for use by aviators who might be operating in the potentially unfriendly region. The design is useful in tricky situations – quiet to use, easy to conceal, waterproof, and sturdy. The content leaves something to be desired, offering only a rudimentary overview of the local transportation network and basic geographic details.

The ‘escape map’ was published by the Geographical Section, General Staff in 1951. At the time, the British military had a significant interest in ensuring that Turkey remained on good terms with the Western allies, primarily as a buffer against Soviet expansion. Control of the Turkish straits was critical, limiting access of the Black Sea fleet to the Mediterranean and ultimately contributing to Turkey joining NATO in 1952.