Finding Aid
Series 1. Maps and Aerial Photographs. [1936?]-1944. 11 items.
Maps
- Frankreich 1:200,000, Caen, Map Sheet no. I4. German topographic map marked: “Special Edition” and “For military use only” (1936?)
Condition: clean with some ageing. No tears but with heavy, sagging folds and some crinkling at edges.
Significance: Exact date of printing is unknown but must be at least 1936 as this is the date of the magnetic declination given. It was probably in use during the operations around Caen, either by the Germans, or by the Allies who may have captured German maps after D-Day.
- France 1:50,000 Type 1889, Caen S. O. [South West), Sheet 29, 1940
Condition: fragile, small holes and rips along fold lines but clean and clearly readable. Many hand annotations in ink and coloured pencil, etc.
Significance: this is an example of the old French 19th century topographic series at a scale of 1:80,000 which was enlarged and reprinted by the Allies to a scale of 1:50,000. This old series used hachure lines instead of contours to show relief, making them unusable by the artillery who needed accurate elevations for targeting.
- France 1:25,000 Falaise “Going” Map, Sheet no. 40/12 N.W. 2nd edition, SECRET, April 1944
Condition: good, clean, but with long tears along central, vertical fold of map at the top and bottom
Significance: “Going” maps were used to analyze terrain for possible overland routes for tanks and heavy vehicles should the roads be destroyed or subject to high volume of traffic. These are rare.
- France 1:25,000 Defence Overprint Map, Sheet no. 40/12 N.W.6. SECRET edition, August 1944, “Operation Totalize”
Condition: mostly clean with some staining along vertical folds. The map is now in three sections as it has come apart cleanly along two of the vertical folds. Full legend on verso.
Significance: this map covers the same area as the Going map which is the area of battle for Canadians around Caen and the closing of the Falaise pocket. Quite significant to Canadian history and rare.
- France 1:50,000 Falaise, Sheet no. 7 F/6, 2nd edition, 1943
Condition: good, clear readable map with some staining and rips at fold lines. Annotations in margin.
Significance: this 1:50,000 scale series covering just the northern portion of France, was produced by the Allies for the D-Day invasion. Although this map was published in 1943, the print run indicates a later date of April 1944. This series was based on enlarged versions of the old 1:80,000 series and new aerial photograph coverage. The maps employ contour lines instead of hachures. The area depicted is once again significant as it relates to the closing of the Falaise pocket and the activity around Caen which is just north of Falaise.
- AAF Cloth Map – Asiatic Series 1:2,000,000, 1943. No. 34, Southeast China (recto), No. 35, Northeast China (verso)
Condition: good, with some staining along edges and folds.
Significance: These maps are often referred to as “silk escape and evasion maps” but are just as often made from—what was then—the new synthetic materials of rayon or nylon. They were made from such materials so that they could be folded up small and hidden in things like the lining of jackets. They were issued to pilots for evasion purposes in case they were shot down over enemy territory and were smuggled into POW camps to help with escape plans.
- France 1:80,000 Type 1889, Lisieux S.E. [South East], Sheet 30. Old 19th century French topo series using hachure lines and spot heights instead of contour lines
Condition: fragile with rips and holes along fold lines and tattered edges. The map, however, is clear and readable
Significance: These maps would have been seized by the Germans when they invaded France and this particular sheet was taken from a dead German officer on August 11, 1944. It has the German words “greiferkante” and “ziehkante” annotated in black ink in the lower-right margins.
Aerial Photographs
E.1 Three overlapping, sequential photos numbered 4032, 4033, and 4044 in the same flight line or negative roll number J/296 taken with a camera focal length of 36 inches. The photos are dated 11 February, 1944 and indicate they were taken by no. 542 Squadron. Photo 4033 has penciled annotations on the verso in the corresponding spots to trenches and defensive emplacements visible on the recto.
E.2 Single photo number 4103, flight line or negative roll number E/787, dated 20 December, 1943 and taken with a camera focal length of 20 inches. Tactical information is annotated directly on the recto in blue and red ink with a comprehensive legend to the symbols provided on the verso. An excellent example of air photo interpretation.
Series 2. Documents. 1943-1946. 9 textual records and 1 photograph.
F.2 Canadian Army Certificate of Service
Memo re: Sam’s qualification for the Defence Medal for England from the 2nd of September, 1940 to the 22nd of July, 1944.
Memo re: Sam’s qualification for the France & Germany Campaign Star for service in France, Belgium and Holland from the 22nd of July, 1944 to the 8th of May, 1945.
Memo re: Sam’s qualification for the 1939-45 Service Star.
F.3 Certificate of Commission into the Canadian Intelligence Corps, Canadian Army Overseas, 2nd April, 1943.
Letter of demobilization dated 21 February, 1946
Movement Order dated 6 Aug., 1945
Newspaper clipping from The Albertan (dated October29, 1943): refers to Sam as “Lieutenant” and as a “photographic interpreter.”
F.4 Group of men in training for the Intelligence Corps (including Sam Nickle standing in the rear) at the Officers’ Cadet Training School in February of 1943. Black and white photograph.
