Rhodesia – British War Office Ground/Air Map, G.S.G.S. 2871, Fourth Edition, 1943

Description:

An original British War Office military map of Rhodesia and the adjoining territories of south-central Africa, issued within the important Africa 1:2,000,000 series, G.S.G.S. 2871. This is the Fourth Edition, Ground/Air, with the sheet itself recording publication history from the original War Office issue of 1919, the Fourth Edition of 1942, and a 1943 printing, making this a wartime operational state of the map.

The sheet covers a broad sweep of central and southern Africa centred on Northern and Southern Rhodesia, extending into adjoining parts of the Belgian Congo, Nyasaland, Portuguese East Africa, Bechuanaland and South West Africa. Major centres, railway systems, roads, tracks, telegraph routes, rivers, lakes, administrative boundaries, settlements and relief information are shown in considerable detail.

Particular emphasis is placed upon the transport network, which was of considerable strategic importance during the Second World War. Railway corridors linking the Rhodesias with the Copperbelt, Beira, South Africa and other regional centres are prominently shown, alongside principal roads and communications routes. Rivers and international boundaries are strongly picked out in blue and violet, while relief is expressed through spot heights, contours and related topographical information.

The lower margin retains the full technical apparatus of the G.S.G.S. series, including the relative reliability diagram, adjoining-sheet index, distance scales, magnetic information, conventional signs and instructions for giving a position on the sheet. The reliability diagram is especially informative, distinguishing areas mapped from triangulation, boundary surveys, oblique air photographs, ground survey and other less complete sources, giving a clear indication of the varying quality of geographical knowledge across the region.

G.S.G.S. 2871 was the principal British small-scale military mapping series for Africa and saw extensive revision and reissue during the Second World War. The present Ground/Air edition reflects the increased wartime demand for accurate communications, transport and terrain mapping across central and southern Africa.

A substantial and visually impressive wartime map of the Rhodesias, particularly relevant to the history of British military surveying, colonial administration, transport infrastructure and the strategic geography of south-central Africa during the Second World War.

Condition

Very good. Original issue folds with general handling and creasing, particularly towards the lower margin. Minor edge wear and small marginal irregularities consistent with military use and storage. The printed area remains complete and clear, with strong original colour and excellent legibility.

Title: Rhodesia
Publisher: Geographical Section, General Staff, War Office
Series: Africa 1:2,000,000 – G.S.G.S. 2871
Edition: Fourth Edition, Ground/Air
Edition Date: 1942
Printing Date: 1943
Scale: 1:2,000,000
Size: 68.1 × 80.8 cm
Format: Colour-printed military Ground/Air map
Area: Northern and Southern Rhodesia and adjoining south-central Africa
Location: Tube B: Africa
Inventory Number: 004114

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