Frankreich und Sudengland [France and Southern England]

Schlag nach uber den Welten [Look Across the World]

This German map of France and southern England was published in Leipzig in early 1940 by the Bibliographisches Institut AG for use by members of the Wehrmacht (German military forces). A simple political base map noting transportation routes, geographic features, and major cities is overprinted with red ink highlighting major fortified areas across the theater of conflict. The formidable Maginot Line is heavily emphasized, while further red lines (possibly indicating specific unit routes) have been added by hand in red pencil.

After Germany’s successful invasion of Poland in September of 1939, a period of relative calm overtook Western Europe, even though many of its nations were at war. Known variously as the Phony War, Sitzkrieg, and Drole de Guerre, the 9 months of inactivity allowed the German military to redeploy and resupply its forces in preparation for the attack on France.