1943 U.S. Army Engineers Map of Central London American Red Cross Clubs

This is an August 1943 World War II era U.S. Army Engineers map of American Red Cross clubs in central London. Published for American servicemen stationed in England during World War II (1939 - 1945), this map and others like it acted as a helpful aid to visiting GIs, many of whom had never before been outside the U.S.

A Closer Look

Bright red boxes highlight 15 American Red Cross clubs across central London. Among the labeled clubs is Rainbow Corner near Piccadilly Circus. Rainbow Corner was the most famous American Red Cross Club in the European Theater of Operations. It was open 24 hours a day, every day, to American servicemen from November 11, 1942, until January 9, 1946. Its largest single-day attendance was over 70,000 for the club's First Birthday party on December 5, 1943. Two African-American Red Cross clubs are identified here: Liberty near Euston Station and Duchess north of Oxford Circus. Although African-American soldiers could not enjoy white-only Red Cross Clubs, white soldiers were welcome at the African American Clubs and frequently visited, only civilians were barred.

Publication History and Census

This map was compiled by the Mapping Section, Intelligence Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and printed by the 952nd Aviation Engineer Topographic Company in August 1943. This is the only known cataloged example.