WWII British War Office English Channel Plotting Map – GSGS 4080 – February 1944

An original Second World War British War Office military plotting map of the English Channel and North Sea, issued in February 1944, just four months before the D-Day landings.

Officially designated “English Channel Sheet N.W. 48/4”, this large-format map forms part of the Geographical Section, General Staff (GSGS) No. 4080 Plotting Series.

Originally published by the War Office in 1941, this example is clearly headed:

“EDITION OF FEBRUARY 1944”

and carries what appears to be a period print/run notation “100,000/6/44.Cr.”

The map covers a substantial area of north-western Europe, including the English Channel, eastern England, the Netherlands, northern Germany and Denmark, with locations including Kiel, Flensburg, Sylt and the German North Sea and Baltic approaches.

Printed predominantly in red, it incorporates a large plotting grid, latitude and longitude scales, compass/plotting circles, geographical features, principal towns, coastline, waterways and other information intended for operational plotting and navigation.

The timing makes this particularly interesting. The February 1944 edition dates from the period of intense Allied preparations immediately preceding Operation Overlord and D-Day on 6 June 1944. We would, however, describe it as a wartime plotting map rather than claiming any direct D-Day use without provenance.

The lower margin identifies it:

“Geographical Section, General Staff. No 4080 – Published by War Office 1941.”

A genuine and highly displayable piece of British WWII cartographic history.

Condition: Good original wartime condition. Folded as issued/used with prominent original fold lines, age-related toning, creasing and minor edge/corner wear. Printing remains strong and clearly legible. Please study the photographs for the exact condition.

Date: February 1944 edition
Original publication: 1941
Issuer: British War Office
Series: Geographical Section, General Staff – GSGS 4080
Sheet: English Channel N.W. 48/4
Type: Military plotting/navigation map
Period: WWII