Notes on GSGS Mapping in World War 2

In preparation for the invasion of Sicily, which took place in July 1943, the Geographical Section, General Staff, War Office, London produced an ilustrated guide to the to the mapping situation in the Central Mediterranean theatre of operations entitled “Notes on the G.S.G.S. Maps of Italy, Sicily, Sardinia and Corsica, 1 May 1943”.
As the war progressed the G.S.G.S. produced further guides for subsequent theatres of operations, “Notes on the G.S.G.S. Maps of France, December 1943”,
“Notes on the G.S.G.S. Maps of Germany, Denmark and Central Europe, March 1944” and
“Notes on Maps of The Balkans, July 1944”.
These guides followed a standard format. Part 1 consisted of a decription of all the operational GSGS series of the theatre at 1:1,000,000 scale and larger including map samples and map series indexes. Part 2 generally contained notes on the mapping of the various countries, notes on road classifications, availability of air photo cover, notes on grids and grid junctions, notes on map distribution and the state of reproduction material distribution. Appendices include Glosssaries of the topographical terms used in various countries and Gazetteers of geographical names appearing on medium scale series.
Also often included are inserted large-format map series indexes and conventional signs cards.
No such guides were available for the Western Desert, North African or Burma Theatres of operations.
These wartime guides are an invaluable description of, and finding aid for, the general mapping situation and map series in use in various theatres in World War 2. Armed with the information they contain, the historian or researcher can, if required, seek appropriate series and sheets in the various archives and map libraries in which these maps may now be found such as The National Archives, The British Library, The Imperial War Museum, The Royal Geographical Society and University Libraries.
To this end, the Defence Surveyors’ Association has included scanned versions of all four guides on the web site to assist researchers who may not otherwise have access to these publications.

GSGS Maps of Italy - Glossary — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 02, 2009 21:35

 

Italy - Selection of Maps held in the GSGS Library — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 02, 2009 21:35

 

Italy - Index Maps — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 02, 2009 21:36

 

Notes on GSGS Maps of Italy — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 02, 2009 21:37

 

Glossary of Dutch Topographical Terms — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 03, 2009 21:48

 

Glossary of French Topographical Terms — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 03, 2009 21:49

 

Gazetteer of Holland — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 03, 2009 21:50

 

Provisional Gazetteer of Belgium and Luxembourg — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 03, 2009 21:51

 

Notes on GSGS Maps of France, Belgium and Holland — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 03, 2009 21:54

 

Appendix 1 - Glossary of Conventional Signs — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 04, 2009 21:52

For Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland

Appendix 2 - Short Glossary of German — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 04, 2009 21:55

 

Appendix 3 - Short Glossary of Danish — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 04, 2009 21:56

 

Appendix 4 - Short Glossary of Czech and Slovak — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 04, 2009 21:58

 

Appendix 5 - Short Glossary of Polish — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 04, 2009 22:00

 

Appendicies 6-8 - Map Index — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 07, 2009 20:49

 

Appendix 10 - Gazetteer of East Germany — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 04, 2009 22:03

 

Appendix 11 - Gazetteer of Denmark — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 04, 2009 22:05

 

Appendix 12 - Gazetteer of Austria — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 04, 2009 22:06

 

Notes on GSGS Maps of Germany, Denmark and Central Europe — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 04, 2009 22:12

 

Appendix - Notes on Maps of the Balkans — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 07, 2009 20:44

 

Notes on Maps of the Balkans — submitted by Peter Walker — last modified September 07, 2009 20:50