D Day Maps

Discussions related to specific battles of the second world war.
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Temujin
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D Day Maps

Post by Temujin » Thu May 03, 2018 10:19 am

At the bottom of this post, is a “Map Trace” from the Operational Orders for the 3rd Cdn Division on D Day

A Map Trace was done on very thin velum type paper (paper you can see thru), so that it could be “overlaid” on a Military Map to see the map thru it, and to see where the positions on the trace were on the map. This is done by the military so information can be kept to review....but without physically marking up the map the Officer or soldier was carrying (in order to save maps and not having to replace them after every use)

NOTE: if you look at the map trace, you will see “CROSS’s” marked with numbers. These are to help the person “align” the map trace on the military map. The numbers are the “grid lines” on the military map. Example below shows the number 90 and 84

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The Trace below shows positions of some of the “gun areas” (where Artillery units were to set up on landing) and other key points such as lines of advance etc. And code words for those areas......So, for example, when an Artillery Unit landed on the beach, and then moved to it’s respective “gun area” they would then report back (by radio or by messenger) that they had reached “MARY” or “JANE” etc.

When the Infantry or other units landed, and advanced inland, they would report back when they crossed specific lines, such as “YEW” or “MALLET” etc

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