Carte Michelin Les Grandes Routes [WWII Unit Map]

One-of-a-kind ‘campaign map’ from a World War II veteran.

This is a spectacular commemoration of one soldier’s treacherous route across France as part of the 456th Antiaircraft Artillery (Automatic Weapons) Mobile Battalion during World War II. It was drawn by Captain Joseph B. McAneny, a native of Detroit, MI, atop a postwar Michelin road map that covers the northern part of the country from the English Channel to Mainz and Cologne in Germany.

McAneny, the battalion dentist, carefully traced and dated the unit’s path from its departure in Southampton (June 29, 1944) to arriving outside Oldenburg in late March, 1945. One captivating entry identifies the vicinity of where their transport ship struck a mine! Upon careful inspection, numerous pencil erasures can be seen, reflecting the attention to detail and the use of personal notes or a diary. The map includes a typewritten battalion officer roster that includes Captain McAneny, as well as about 40 other names and addresses.

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