Specialist Maps Prepared by British Military Geologists for the D-Day Landings and Operations in Normandy, 1944

Abstract

During the Second World War, British military geologists assisted planning for the Allied liberation of Normandy by generating specialist maps – supporting the greatest amphibious operation in world history. Maps of the landing beaches at a scale of 1:5000 indicated natural hazards to cross-beach vehicle mobility. Maps of northwest Europe at 1:1000 000 showed the varying suitability of ground for airfield construction, and larger scale maps guided the site selection and rapid construction of numerous temporary airfields. Hydrogeological maps were prepared as tracing overlays for topographical maps to guide enhancement of potable water supplies from new wells and boreholes – at a scale of 1:50 000 for coastal areas from the Cherbourg peninsula eastwards to Calais, and at 1:250 000 for most of northern France east into the Low Countries. A few 'soil' maps guided emplacement of depots for stores and vehicles, and at least two resource maps were prepared – to guide quarrying of material for road construction and sand for engineering work in general. Pioneering British military geological work on Normandy was extended for western coastal areas by large-scale American maps which included geological features for exit routes from the Omaha and Utah beaches. Bordering the eastern coast, at least two Canadian maps at 1:100 000 related geology to 'going' (cross-country trafficability). Printed in small numbers and great secrecy, few copies of any of these maps appear to have survived the war. The most extensive collection known is preserved in the Lapworth Museum of Geology, University of Birmingham. This is part of a unique personal archive, generated by Major F. W. Shotton when serving as Staff Officer (Geology) of the invasion force. It provides the basis for appraisal of broader specialist cartographic achievements contributing to Allied victory in Europe.