Carte des Operations Militaires Entre Rhin et Moselle

An unrecorded map of the ‘Phoney War’ in Western Europe during the early months of WWII.

The ‘Phoney War’, Bore War, Sitzkrieg, or Drôle de Guerre (funny war) were all variously used to describe the approximately eight-month period after Poland’s conquest at the start of World War II. Apart from maritime engagements, the dispersal of propaganda leaflets, and a few scattered skirmishes, little actual fighting took place along the front line between Germany and the Allies (much to the justifiable despair of the Polish people). French and German forces were largely content to sit behind their fortified defenses – the Maginot and Siegfried lines – while the British were focused on the naval blockade and preparing home defenses for an impending aerial assault.

This French map was published just three weeks into the Phoney War and it shows the results of the modest, though initially successful, offensives between the Rhine and Moselle Rivers. Various French departments are distinguished with bright colors, with both the Bas-Rhin and Moselle shown incorporating small amounts of captured German territory. The tint extends further across the marked borders – no doubt foreshadowing subsequent successful offensives.

The orchestrator of the French military strategy, General Maurice Gamelin, is pictured in the upper right. On September 21, 1939, Gamelin ordered the retreat of French forces to return to pre-war positions behind the Maginot Line. Considering the map shares this date (lower left), it’s likely it was issued to soften the blow of the withdrawal.

Published in Marseille by Isnard, Lami & Manya and incredibly scarce. I’ve been unable to find any other examples of the map in auction records, WorldCat, or institutional collections, though the publisher does appear a few times for various printed items in 1938 and 1939.

Wheal, Pope, & Taylor 370.