However, the situation map collection has greater significance beyond their use as an easily interpreted display of the Western Front operations during World War Two. Even the casual browser's eye can identify significant battles by the concentrations of unit symbols on the maps. Researchers browsing through the maps can easily follow the Western Allies' progress in Europe through the movements of the unit symbols and the front line.
Each map is a cartographic snapshot that preserves the day by day disposition of Allied and Axis forces as understood by the operations staff (G-3) of the First United States Army Group (FUSAG), and later the Twelfth Army Group. The collection covers the time from the June 6th, 1944 Allied landings in Normandy to the Allied occupation in July 1945. Army operations in northwestern Europe during World War Two. The Twelfth Army Group Situation Map collection provides interesting insights into U.S. Northwestern European Military Situation Maps from World War IIĭetail of a map of the Twelfth Army Group on June 6, 1944. The collection consists of 416 printed maps and 115 reports, the originals of which reside in the Library of Congress' Geography and Map Division. These maps and reports were used by the commanders of the United States forces in their evaluation of the campaigns and for planning future strategies. Some of the sheets are accompanied by a declassified "G-3 Report" giving detailed information on troop positions for the period 3 Mar. Starting with the D-Day Invasion, the maps give daily details on the military campaigns in Western Europe, showing the progress of the Allied Forces as they push towards Germany. This collection contains maps showing troop positions beginning on Jto July 26, 1945.