Ottoman Military Map of the Third Battle of Flanders Passchendaele WW1 Empire 1920s France War Belgium
Ottoman Military Map of the Third Battle of Flanders (Passchendaele), 1917 – “Kroki 21”
Description:
This original Ottoman Turkish military map depicts the Third Battle of Flanders, widely known as the Battle of Passchendaele, fought during the First World War near Ypres in Belgium between 31 July and 10 November 1917. The battle involved British Empire and French forces against the German Empire and became one of the most significant and costly campaigns on the Western Front.
Marked “Kroki 21 – 1917 Flandre Meydan Muharebesi” (Sketch 21 – Battle of Flanders, 1917), the map illustrates changes in the opposing armies’ front lines over different dates. Its legend uses different line styles and dotted markings to distinguish German and Allied positions, including defensive fortifications, advances, and withdrawals. These details provide a visual record of the changing military situation throughout the campaign.
The exact source book has not been identified. However, other maps in the collection depicting battles such as Verdun and Arras suggest that this example may have been removed from an Ottoman Turkish book documenting First World War battles, possibly published in the early 1920s. Although the publication date and original source remain unconfirmed, the map’s Ottoman Turkish annotations and contemporary military subject matter make it an appealing historical document for collectors interested in Ottoman history, the First World War, and military cartography.
Key Features:
• Subject: Third Battle of Flanders (Battle of Passchendaele), 1917
• Title on Map: “Kroki 21 – 1917 Flandre Meydan Muharebesi” (Sketch 21 – Battle of Flanders, 1917)
• Historical Context: First World War, Western Front, Belgium
• Opposing Forces: British Empire and French forces against the German Empire
• Map Details: Dated front-line changes, defensive fortifications, and lines indicating military advances and withdrawals
• Language: Ottoman Turkish
• Dimensions: 15.5 × 15.4 cm
• Possible Origin: An Ottoman Turkish publication about First World War battles, possibly from the early 1920s; exact source unidentified