[German Army Map – Pinerolo, Italy]

German military map of Pinerolo.

The successful Allied capture of Sicily and subsequent planned invasion of the mainland brought the fall of Mussolini’s fascist government in Italy in July 1943. Hitler, determined to protect Germany’s southern flank, insisted his former ally should remain in the fight and occupied much of the northern half, setting up the puppet Italian Social Republic (RSI) and inaugurating a period of further civilian and military strife across the mountainous region.

This rare map covers a large area around the town of Pinerolo, located near the border with France in northeastern Italy and within the bounds of the RSI. A topographic base map dated 1943 has been overprinted with various lines and symbols reflecting the local transportation network. Specialized equipment was required for some of the mountain paths.

The map, marked Secret, was published in September 1944 by Kartendruckerei-Abteilung (Motorized) 520, a German mapping unit. At the time it was issued, Allied forces were gradually pushing northward and tightening the noose around the Third Reich.

Source.