American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Fourth Armored Division Maps. Large map of the route taken and battles fought by the 4th Armored division (Name Enough) in Patton’s Third Army in Europe. This was made in two parts, each 21.5 x 29 in. Lot contains three of each half. Two halves were taped together to make a single map, the other four parts are separate. Lower left (under unit patch) “Authority: Gen. Order No. 95 / HQ. ETOUSA May 18, 1945 / 20 / July 45 / 673 Engrs. / 1,030.” Under the Legend: “June 15, 1945  24th Armored Engr. Bn.” Lower right: “The Commanders” “Maj. Gen. John S. Wood / June 8, 1942 to Dec. 3, 1944; Maj. Gen. Hugh J. Gaffey / Dec. 3, 1944 to March 23, 145; Maj. Gen. William M. Hoge / Commanding.” Each with a photograph. Four colors mark the various routes of the division from the time they landed at Utah Beach on 11 July 1944 (about five weeks after D-Day) until they reached the border of Czechoslovakia and Germany in early May, when the war ended. General Order No. 95 outlines their battles, for example: “3. On 22 December 1944 the 4th Armored Division entered the battle of the ARDENNES with the mission of relieving the 101st Airborne Division, isolated in the BASTOGNE pocket. This mission was accomplished on 28 December 1944 when the Division entered BASTOGNE. From this time until 15 January 1945 the Division was engaged in operations to reduce the ARDENNES salient against fierce German resistance….etc.” 

These maps have been rolled in a tube for some time. On the tube is written: “Marvin A /  Maps of Europe relating to WW-2 Activities of his Armor Unit./
      “Given to me by Warren after Geo. Layton’s death and I Lern? Layton Giving me “Warren D” Book of History of 3rd Armor Division and my Reading it and talking to W.M. about it…CNB 2006”

Bausch & Lomb Binoculars stamped with “Signal Corps / U.S. Army” and Serial NO. EE 12757. 6 power. Brown leather on body, retains pebbled texture. Has two parts of a neck strap. Lenses focus individually. Bottom of leather case marked Lieut. Wells, 128th FA (field artillery). The B&L binocs were manufactured and issued for WWI use, but were still in Army inventory when WWII broke out and were used at least through the second war, and likely some in Korea, also. 1-1/4 in. compass in top lid (locks with twist to ring). Other than some storage grime, this pair is in good condition, focus dials work. (has belt sleeve on back, but shoulder strap missing –front closure also missing; some wear to black enamel on body above and below the leather, with brass showing through)

We find mention of a Lieutenant Charles Herbert Wells in the 128th FA during WWI, a Missouri unit. There are a couple of his letters in the University of Alabama Special Collections written from "somewhere in France" to his sister in June and November 1918.