Two-sided colored silk escape map of Germany and nearby countries owned by a Jewish soldier, 2nd Polish Corps 2012.471.25 back

Topographical silk escape map of Germany with September 1943 borders owned by Edward Herzbaum, a soldier in the 5th Kresowa Infantry Division, 2nd Polish Corps, British Army, from 1943-1945. The front details the region between northern Italy and Germany; the reverse continues to Germany, including Poland, which is marked as Germany territory. Escape and evasion maps were issued to help troops find their way to safety if caught behind enemy lines. Silk maps were easy to conceal, could withstand wet weather and wear, and made no noise in use. Edward, age 19, left Lodz, Poland, after Germany invaded in September 1939 to stay with family in Soviet controlled Lvov. In June 1940, he was arrested by Soviet police and exiled to a forced labor camp. After Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, he was released as part of an amnesty granted to Polish prisoners. He headed south to join Anders Army, a volunteer Polish military unit. In August 1942, the unit left Soviet territory and became the 2nd Polish Corps, British Army. In February 1944, they deployed to join the 8th British Army in the Italian Campaign. The Corps fought its way north and was honored for heroism in the 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino. They were in Italy on VE Day, May 8, 1945, when the war ended. Edward learned that his mother had died in Lodz Ghetto in 1943. He studied architecture in Rome until the British decided to allow Polish Corps veterans to emigrate to England in October 1946. He then served in the Polish Resettlement Corps for two years and completed his degree.

Topographical silk escape map of Germany with September 1943 borders owned by Edward Herzbaum, a soldier in the 5th Kresowa Infantry Division, 2nd Polish Corps, British Army, from 1943-1945. The front details the region between northern Italy and Germany; the reverse continues to Germany, including Poland, which is marked as Germany territory. Escape and evasion maps were issued to help troops find their way to safety if caught behind enemy lines. Silk maps were easy to conceal, could withstand wet weather and wear, and made no noise in use. Edward, age 19, left Lodz, Poland, after Germany invaded in September 1939 to stay with family in Soviet controlled Lvov. In June 1940, he was arrested by Soviet police and exiled to a forced labor camp. After Germany invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, he was released as part of an amnesty granted to Polish prisoners. He headed south to join Anders Army, a volunteer Polish military unit. In August 1942, the unit left Soviet territory and became the 2nd Polish Corps, British Army. In February 1944, they deployed to join the 8th British Army in the Italian Campaign. The Corps fought its way north and was honored for heroism in the 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino. They were in Italy on VE Day, May 8, 1945, when the war ended. Edward learned that his mother had died in Lodz Ghetto in 1943. He studied architecture in Rome until the British decided to allow Polish Corps veterans to emigrate to England in October 1946. He then served in the Polish Resettlement Corps for two years and completed his degree.