War Map of North Africa and Western Desert [Title on Verso]

Scarce map of North Africa in late 1941 or early 1942.

This uncommon commercially-produced pocket map of Northern Africa and the Mediterranean vibrantly highlights several intense theaters of engagement from the early years of WWII; including the Western Desert campaign, the Battle of Crete, the East African campaign, and the Anglo-Iraqi War. Somewhat incongruous color combinations reflect full or partial territorial possessions between the British (red), French Free Forces (purple), Vichy France (green), and Axis (yellow). Yellow is oddly also used to depict neutral countries like Spain and Liberia. The image names numerous small villages, ports, and geographic features that would otherwise be largely unknown to the English-speaking audience.

The map was drawn by O. Ladner (a somewhat illegible signature can be seen in the lower right of title block), probably in late 1943. Published in Jerusalem by Y. Mizrahi & Co. with a ‘Special Price for His Majesty’s Forces’, according to the front cover.