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A Striking Wall Map of the North Atlantic Theater During World War II

The map titled World War 2 in the North Sea Area visually depicts significant events and military strategies executed in the North Sea and surrounding areas during World War II. With vibrant illustrations and strategic movements clearly marked, it provides an overview of the Allied and Axis powers' naval, air, and ground operations, focusing particularly on the Atlantic and North Sea theatres. 

The timeline begins with Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, and the subsequent declaration of war by England and France. The map outlines key military developments such as the German invasions of Norway, Denmark, and the Low Countries in the spring of 1940. Notable events include the evacuation of Dunkirk between May 29 and June 4, 1940, where the British Expeditionary Force was rescued from encirclement by German forces. Another crucial moment illustrated is the German capture of Paris on June 14, 1940, and the establishment of the armistice between France and Germany later that month. 

One of the primary focuses of the map is the naval conflict in the North Atlantic and North Sea, particularly the struggle between Allied convoys and German U-boats. The bold heading "Our Navy Breaks the U-Boat Scourge on the Allies' Supply Lines with Destroyers, Destroyer Escorts and Escort Carriers" highlights the crucial role of naval forces in safeguarding critical supply lines. The routes of the convoys are clearly shown, with arrows representing the flow of naval support across the Atlantic, particularly from the United States and Canada to Iceland and the British Isles. The map also notes the strategic significance of Iceland, with the U.S. Naval forces occupying the island in July 1941. 

Several key naval engagements are prominently featured, including the sinking of the British battleship HMS Royal Oak by a German submarine at Scapa Flow on October 14, 1939, and the destruction of the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941 after a series of encounters. The German invasion of Norway in April 1940 and subsequent occupation of strategic locations such as Narvik and Bergen is also outlined in bright red arrows.

In addition to naval activities, the map highlights air operations, particularly the bombing campaigns launched by the Allied air forces against industrial targets in Germany. The Ruhr industrial region, Hamburg, and Munich are among the cities targeted by air raids, with arrows depicting the aerial bombardment originating from England. 

By 1943, as the map indicates, both German submarines and surface naval forces were brought under control by the combined efforts of the British, American, and Canadian navies, supported by air operations. The accompanying text emphasizes how the great aerial offensive by the American Air Force and the Royal Air Force had begun, targeting key German industrial sites in an effort to weaken the Axis war machine. 

The NavWar series included the following maps:

1. The Mediterranean
2. The South China Sea Area
3. World War II in the North Sea Area
4. The North Pacific Area
5. Southwest Pacific
6. We Fight a Global War