1945 Japanese Cyanotype WWII Map of the Philippines (Philippine Campaign)

Final stages of the Philippine Campaign.

An unusual c. 1945 cyanotype map of the Philippines issued by the Japanese during the latter stages of the Philippine Campaign. Northeastern Luzon and the Luzon Strait - between the Philippines and Japanese-controlled Taiwan is highlighted in manuscript, underscoring its significance to Imperial Japanese forces in the final stages of the Philippine Campaign, when they were being systematically driven out of the archipelago. The map is too simplistic to be useful strategically or tactically, and so is likely a general orientation map issued for Japanese troops.

A Closer Look

The map covers all of the Philippine islands. The cyanotype is derived from a Western map, to which a Japanese title has been appended. An inset in the upper right details the Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel (between Taiwan and Luzon), a strategic intermediary point for Japanese naval and air forces. Part of Northern Luzon, and an area continuing into the inset, is highlighted in red manuscript and conforms to the primary zone of Japanese influence in 1944 - 45.

The Philippine Campaign

Launched on October 20, 1944, the Philippine Campaign was a World War II joint American and Filipino military operation intended to liberate the Philippine Islands from occupying Imperial Japanese forces. The Japanese Army overran most of the Philippines during the first half of 1942, retaining it for the subsequent 2 years. American General Douglas MacArthur began the campaign by announcing on Philippine radio 'This is the Voice of Freedom, General MacArthur speaking. People of the Philippines: I have returned.' The campaign progressed rapidly, driving the Japanese out of one island after another. Although by this time the Japanese were clearly losing the war, they gave no sign of capitulation and refused to surrender. During the course of the campaign, Japan suffered nearly half a million casualties compared to only about 50,000 Americans. The campaign continued until Japanese forces in the Philippines were ordered to surrender by Tokyo on August 15, 1945, after the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Cyanotype: Why so Blue?

Cyanotype is a photo-reprographic technique developed in 1842 by the British astronomer John Herschel (1792 - 1871). Sometimes called a 'sunprint', the technique employs a solution of ferric ammonium citrate and potassium ferricyanide, which, when painted on white paper or cloth, reacts when exposed to sunlight to dye the object a brilliant blue. Areas blocked from ultraviolet exposure remain undyed and white. Herschel developed the technique to reproduce his astronomical notes, but others quickly realized that any object capable of blocking light could be used to quickly and easily create a cyanotype. By the late 19th century, the process became popular with designers, the military, architects, and engineers (blueprints), who used the cheap and effective technique to quickly and exactly reproduce images in the field. Cyanotyping is limited to a single copy at a time, so it was only practical for short-term field work. It is also worth noting that without special treatment, cyanotypes remain highly reactive to light and, over time, fade or degrade, making them extremely ephemeral. The process fell out of fashion in most places by the 1920s, but remains in use in some parts of the world, such as India and Nepal, to this day.

Publication History and Census

This map is a cyanotype issue of a one-off manuscript copy of a western map - most likely made during World War II. The cyanotype form underscores that very few could have been issued, typically only 2 or 3, and suggests that it may have been a field map of some kind. Probably the only known example.

Condition

Very good. Minor wear on original fold lines.