WWII 1945 British War Office Sudan & Red Sea Plotting Map – GSGS 4080 – North Africa

An original Second World War British War Office military plotting map covering Sudan, the Red Sea and adjoining areas of North-East Africa and Arabia, issued in 1945.

Designated “Sudan North – Sheet N.E. 13/24”, this impressive large-format map belongs to the Geographical Section, General Staff (GSGS) No. 4080 Plotting Series.

The lower margin identifies it as:

“Geographical Section, General Staff No. 4080
Published by War Office 1941
5th Edition, 1945”

It carries the print notation 15,150/8/45, dating this printing to August 1945.

The cartography was originally drawn and heliographed at the Ordnance Survey in 1941 and was subsequently revised from M.D.R. 474, 11th Edition of December 1944.

The map covers a vast strategically important area including northern Sudan, the Red Sea, Eritrea and the western Arabian coastline, with geographical features including the Marra Mountains, desert regions, coastlines, settlements and major routes.

Printed predominantly in red, it incorporates the characteristic military plotting grid, compass circles, latitude and longitude markings and height information used by British forces for large-scale navigation and operational plotting.

There is also a handwritten notation “Sudan 2 Sheet 6” to the upper margin, indicating this example formed part of an organised group or working set of maps.

An interesting surviving piece of late-WWII British military cartography, particularly relevant to collectors of North African, Middle Eastern, RAF, navigation and War Office material.

Condition: Good original service-used condition. Folded with numerous original fold lines, creasing, some age toning and minor edge/corner wear. There are period handwritten annotations to the margins. Printing remains strong and legible. Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

Date: August 1945
Issuer: British War Office
Series: GSGS No. 4080 Plotting Series – Fifth Edition
Sheet: Sudan North N.E. 13/24
Original mapping: 1941
Revision: December 1944
Print notation: 15,150/8/45
Period: WWII