Luzon

Royal Australian Air Force escape map of the Philippines.

This map of the northern Philippines was issued in 1944 by the Cartographic Section of the Royal Australian Air Force and distributed to crewmembers in operation across the theater. It was designed for use as an ‘escape map’ in the event an aircrew was shot down or needed to ditch over the region. The image is printed on thin silk – sturdy, compact, waterproof, and quiet when used.

However, the map is presented at a relatively small scale, limiting its effectiveness for use in localized engagements. Several different islands and archipelagos are presented within the three insets, notably Luzon and Palawan. Rudimentary topographic detail is shown with brown color and a handful of elevation points offer basic insight into the terrain. Only basic geographic features and towns are labeled.

By the time the map was issued, Allied forces were strategically positioned to begin the liberation of the Philippines. Following victories across the Pacific, American forces under General Douglas MacArthur were stationed mere miles from the southern island of Mindanao, on the island of Morotai. Air attacks on the Philippines had commenced, softening up Japanese defenses and preparing the groundwork for a major offensive to reclaim the archipelago.

For more information on escape maps, check out my blog post here.