(Good) News about map resources from NARA

[KNac007]

Gentlemen, I have received the anwer to my request for Normandy maps. I will transcript my e-mail and the answer for better information:

----- Original Message -----
From: "Daryl Bottoms" <daryl.bottoms@nara.gov>
To: <CRAPPCYD@terra.es>
Sent: Friday, May 28, 2004 3:48 PM
Subject: World War II maps of Normandy


May 28 , 2004

Reply to: NWCS2004M1813/db

IGNACIO

Dear Sir:

This is in reply to your e-mail request of May 18, regarding maps and aerial photographs of Normandy. The request was logged in on May 20. We will need your full name and a mailing address to answer your request more fully. We will be sending you copies of graphic indexes that cannot be sent by e-mail.

We are unable to determine the extent of our aerial photographic coverage at this time. All requests for foreign aerial searches must be accompanied by the best-available map pinpointing the desired site. Once we receive this information, we will be happy to select either the indexes you should purchase (if the area is large) or the individual photos (if the area is small). There may be thousands of images relating to Normandy. The more you limit your aerial request, the more we may be able to help you.

Copies of these records can be ordered from outside the United States. Once we have determined the specific records that may answer your needs, we will be sending you ordering information.

Sincerely,

DARYL D. BOTTOMS, Archivist
Cartographic Section
Special Media Archives Services Division (NWCS)
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Carto@nara.gov
FAX: 301-837-3622

I have send an anwer with my address and I hope it all will arrive ASAP, then I can order the maps and nice! About aerial photographs, I will have to think hard about it.

As we are not going to use this for commercial use I think it won't be a problem if I can digitallice and send maps to anyone interested, the same for others who would be ordering any map.

Apart of the typical Normandy and Ardenees areas there are many interesting areas. For example Operation Nordwind and subsequent battles in January 45 would be excellent as compaining to the Bulge campaingMortain counterattack. Battles around Achen, Hurtgen forest. Approches to Antwerp, etc. For fictional battle the possibilities are infinite, like an early withdrawal and fefensive line in the Seine, or whatever.

At this time I'm gonna order Normandy maps and will try to model the british flank area (several operation like Epsom, Goodwood, Totalize, and many other smaller like Perch, Windsor, Charnwood, Jupiter, Spring, and more).

However I have the feeling that it will be a long time til I have the maps.

[Tzar007]

Very interesting.

It does not seem to be clear though if they are talking about WWII era maps, or current era.

I agree with you that aerial photographs is probably not a good choice. It's often difficult to differentiate landmarks and landscape features on photographs.

[KNac007]

These are WWII maps. I haven't copied the e-mail I send but I requested WWII era maps. Anyway nowadays military maps for foreing countries are classified. The maps available are that of the US Army Services made during WWII and these captured from the GHC.

Maps available are from ETO, MTO (including North Africa and Italy, MonteCassino would be a nice battle to model) and PTO. GHC maps are available too for Russia (this is very interesting in fact, for future releases), also can be found in the Bundesarchiv.

[Tzar007]

Then it's good. I just hope they charge a reasonable price for this service. Keep us posted!