1937 Battle Monuments Commission Map of U.S. World War I Memorials in Europe

Commemorating America's Great War Dead.

This is a c. 1937 pictorial map of Western Europe issued by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). It denotes the locations of cemeteries of American servicemembers who died during the World War I (1914 - 1918) that were under the management of the ABMC.

A Closer Look

The map covers a portion of Western Europe corresponding to Belgium, Luxembourg, northern France, Southern England, and western Germany. The names and locations of cemeteries and memorials managed by the ABMC are indicated, with the cemeteries and/or monuments illustrated. Cities are labeled and rail lines traced throughout the area covered. A small inset of Gibraltar appears at bottom-right, one of two memorials (the other at Brest) to members of the U.S. Navy who died in the conflict. Photographs of cemeteries and memorials surround the map, and continue on the verso, with short descriptions of the largest cemeteries, along with brief accounts of the history of the organization and its contemporary activities.

The American Battle Monuments Commission

The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) was established by the U.S. Congress in 1923 to commemorate the service and sacrifice of members of the American armed forces who died overseas, particularly during World War I. Before its creation, the graves of American soldiers in Europe were managed temporarily by the U.S. Army's Graves Registration Service, but in the aftermath of the war, with its tremendous number of casualties (including from disease), it became clear that a permanent organization was needed to design, build, and maintain fitting memorials. Under the leadership of its first chairman, General John J. Pershing (the former commander of the American Expeditionary Forces), the ABMC undertook the monumental task of organizing and overseeing the construction of cemeteries and monuments across Europe. The Commission worked closely with leading American architects and sculptors, emphasizing dignity, permanence, and uniformity in its designs to reflect the unity and sacrifice of the fallen.

During its early years, the ABMC established eight permanent World War I cemeteries in France, Belgium, and England, including the Meuse-Argonne (Romagne Montfaucon here) and Suresnes American Cemeteries, and erected numerous memorials and monuments at key battle sites. By the late 1930s, the Commission had become internationally recognized for its artistry, efficiency, and respect for the dead (over 100,000 U.S. servicemembers), setting enduring standards for war memorial design. In subsequent decades, the ABMC took on management of cemeteries for American dead from the Philippine-American War, Second World War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and, much after the fact, a cemetery of American dead from the Mexican-American War in Mexico City.

Publication History and Census

This map was prepared by an unknown artist for the ABMC; it is undated but is generally cataloged as 1937. The map bears more than a passing resemblance to a 1939 map published by the ABMC that is attributed to Cora W. Baker (c.f. RemembranceMap-baker-1939-2), and it is possible that Cora prepared this map as well, though the two are quite different in several respects. Both maps are quite scarce, with the present map being noted among the holdings of twelve institutions in the OCLC, though some of these appear to be later reprints issued by the U.S. Army's Office of the Quartermaster General.

Condition

Very good. Light wear along original fold lines. Verso repairs to fold separations and at fold intersections. Text and printed images on verso.

References

OCLC 30611672, 891158842, 83605288, 35148300 (potential later reprint).