“Lightning Strikes Twice” 78th Infantry Division
WWII operations of the 78th Infantry “Lightning” Division.
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Description
In WWI, the 78th Infantry Division was said to streak across France like a bolt of lightning, leaving behind a field of blood. This earned the unit its nickname and insignia design, seen at the bottom of the sheet. The symbols of units comprising the division make up the remainder of the border, along with the title and campaign ribbons of both World Wars.
A basic, but boldly colored operational map and accompanying narrative are the central elements of the page and detail the action of the 78th across the European theater from late 1944 to mid-April, 1945. Highlights include smashing the Siegfried Line (Dec. 13th), crossing the Roer (Feb. 28th) and cleaning out the Ruhr Pocket (April 6th).
The map was drawn by R. Ulrich, prepared by the 303rd Engineer Combat Battalion and printed in Germany by Otto Schmelz U. Co. This particular example includes a personalized Christmas card reflecting the occupation duties of the 78th Infantry in the months immediately following V-E Day. “We won’t get to be to-gether this year, but we will make up for everything next year. Love, Billy”
Map Details
Publication Date: 1945
Author: R. Ulrich
Sheet Width (in): 20.50
Sheet Height (in): 16.20
Condition: B
Condition Description: Former separation along the horizontal centerfold have been rudimentarily repaired on the verso with old cellophane tape. A small separation at the bottom has also been repaired in the same fashion. A bit of scattered spotting and light soiling elsewhere in the image, but otherwise in good shape overall.
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