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A USAF Berlin Airlift Pictorial Rarity

Rare pictorial map of Germany, providing a whimsical illustration of the theater of operations for the Berlin Airlift and its airforce participants.

Drawn by Lieutenant Colonel Harold H. Sims (1912-2002), a career military aviator and gifted artist, who joined the Army Air Corps in 1941.

The map includes a wall around Berlin even though the Berlin Wall would not be built for another 10 years. The British flags are shown with their colors inverted. Mustached, Stalin-like figures surrounding Berlin express bemusement over the Airlift and the actions of the Americans.

As noted by P.J. Mode (P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography, Cornell University)

This satirical map of the airlift was "designed to be framed as an Airlift souvenir." It accompanied an edition of the "Task Force Times," a daily publication established by the airlift command to improve communication and morale - and to increase competition among the air crews. Harold H. Sims was apparently a remarkable man, a Captain in the Army Air Force and Chief Navigator for the Task Force. Among other things, Sims was also responsible for route planning, and specifically for fixing one the most dangerous operational snafus facing the airlift. And he was a major factor in maintaining morale as the editor of the Task Force Times.

The following is excerpted from Sim's life story:

 . . .  as a young flyer [Sims] was honored to have a "one-man" showing of his paintings at the Smithsonian Institution National Air Museum in 1953. Other one-man exhibitions have been held at the Gallerie Allard in Paris, France; the Museum of Fine Arts in Montgomery, AL, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Dallas, TX.

. . . While serving as Master Navigator for MATS, during the Berlin Airlift under Gen. Tunner, he was instrumental in producing designs, illustrations and presentations used during and documenting the airlift operations. He was also Deputy Commander of the west coast Photographic Laboratories, as well as facilities designer of MATS terminals and MATS line aircraft all over the world. 

Lt. Col Sims was honored with the distinguished "Legion of Merit Award" for his outstanding contributions to the military upon his retirement in 1969.

After his retirement from the military, he devoted hi life to his family and pursued his lifelong passion for painting and succeeded as a highly regarded watercolor artist.  

Rarity

We note only the example in the P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography, Cornell University.