NavWarMap No. 3 World War 2 in the North Sea Area

The third (of six) NavWarMaps published to educate American troops during World War II.

Created by the Educational Service Section of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, the NavWarMaps was a series of six maps designed for distribution to armed services personnel. Each provided a high-level overview of various arenas of conflict of WWII and contained detailed strategic information intended to educate soldiers, boost their morale, and increase their resolve to win the war. These pseudo-propaganda posters provide a fascinating insight into the perspective of an American soldier as the war progressed.

This NavWarMap is focused on Southeast Asia and the South China Sea. The shaded relief map covers a large region around the North Sea, including northeastern Europe, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, and Iceland. Vibrantly illustrated vignettes and bold blocks of text highlight major events across the region up to late 1943; including the sinking of the Scharnhorst, the Nazi invasion of Norway, and airborne assaults on German industry. Lines of Allied advance – both supply and attack – are shaded in conjunction with numerous icons representing military strength and material support. A list of important events is provided in the lower right, just above the key.

Published in 1944 by the U.S. Government Printing Office. Distributed by the Educational Service Section, Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. A rubber stamp in the lower right margin indicates this example was likely sent to the Sampson U.S. Naval Training Station in Romulus, New York.