Fes NI-30 [Morocco]

“Special Edition” (Sonderausgabe) German Army map from World War II.

German military map focused on the city of Fes and the coastline of northeastern Morocco. Published in Berlin by the German Army General Staff Directorate for War Maps and Surveying in 1939 as part of the Internationale Weltkarte [International World Map] series. Stamped Special Edition! For Official Use Only!

Issued at a small scale of 1: 1,000,000, the image provides a strategic overview of the region, which includes the southern part of the Straits of Gibraltar. National borders are highlighted in red, highlighting the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. A paucity of available information is reflected in the lack of elevation data and accompanying legend, present on most other maps from the series.

The German Army was especially prolific at creating maps during World War II; with surveying units ultimately issuing over 500 million sheets throughout the war. Tens of thousands of these were returned to the United States for distribution to select American institutions via an official Army Map Service program. Many others made their way to the States tucked into the duffle bags of G.I.’s, useful as souvenirs from the war.

For further information, check out the captured German War Map Collection available at the UC Berkeley Library, the University of Buffalo Library, and Acquisition of World War II Captured Maps: A Case Study by Julie Sweetkind-Singer.