WWII Map Original 65th Armored Field Artillery Battalion North Africa Sicily For Sale

ORIGINAL WWII 65th ARMORED FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION CAMPAIGN MAPNorth Africa (Tunisia) & Sicily Campaigns — \"The Thunderbolt Battalion\"Formally Attributed to Battalion Commander Lt. Col. E.A. BaileyUp for sale is an exceptionally rare, 100% authentic original World War II unit campaign route map for the famous 65th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. This is a genuine mid-century veteran souvenir piece, NOT a modern reproduction or reprint.This highly specialized, independent \"Separate\" battalion was equipped with M7 \"Priest\" 105mm tracked howitzers and served as a high-mobility firepower asset heavily attached to elite divisions (including the 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Armored Division, and the 101st Airborne Division). This map chronicles their earliest combat steps pushing Axis forces out of North Africa (Tunisia) and their subsequent tactical maneuvering across the rugged terrain of Sicily during Operation Husky, just prior to their historic deployment to England where they became the first U.S. field artillery unit to land at Utah Beach on D-Day.HISTORICAL INSCRIPTIONS & CREDITS PRINTED ON MAP:

• Battalion Commander: Lt. Col. E.A. Bailey (Edward Alfred Bailey, West Point Class of \'38, later Brigadier General and recipient of the Legion of Merit for commanding this exact battalion).
• Research & Topography: Capt. R.W. Baker (S-2/S-3 Intelligence/Operations Officer).
• Map Drawing: Sgt. W.E. Kraft (Battalion & DIMENSIONS:
  • Exact Dimensions: 22 1/4\" inches x 19 3/4\" inches.
  • Design: Features highly detailed, stylized tactical graphics, unit typography, and geographic topography tracking the route of the \"Thunderbolt Battalion.\"
  • Production Era: Printed circa late 1945/1946 in a small, restricted batch exclusively distributed to surviving veterans of the battalion.
  CONDITION REPORT:This map is in excellent vintage condition given its age and fragile paper medium:
  • Graphics & Text: The print, central graphics, and hand-drawn typography are in excellent shape, vibrant, and completely readable.
  • Folds: This map has been folded, displaying the original distribution fold lines as issued to the veteran. The fold lines and creases are clean with no heavy split-throughs or separation along the inner seams.
  • Wear: Exhibits natural toning and light age staining appropriate for an authentic 80+ year old military paper artifact. There is one small, clean edge tear that remains entirely on the margin and does not breach or affect the central map graphics. No heavy water damage, no tape residue, and it has never been permanently dry-mounted or glued.
  SHIPPING & HANDLING:To protect its collector value, this map will be carefully packaged along its original fold lines inside an archival sleeve and securely sandwiched between thick, heavy-duty sheets of corrugated cardboard to prevent any bending, crushing, or moisture exposure during transit. Tracking and insurance are included.