Especially rare and important Allied map showing the capital of Okinawa, Nahu, on a 1:25,000 scale and dated May 17, 1945 at the bottom right in red just beneath the marking: ‘SECRET’. Below this notice are the directions ‘Not to be carried forward of division command posts. Not to be carried in aircraft’. The 22.5 x 20 in. topographical map shows the locations of coastal defense guns, artillery, radio towers and stations, trenches, reefs, underwater obstacles, lighthouses, roads, railroads, rice fields, and Japanese defensive lines. The folds, which show it was folded down to a pocket-size, indicate this map was assuredly field-used. At the bottom left it is marked ‘Contours Revised By 64th Engr. Top. Bn. USAFPOA April 1945 From Captured Japanese Map’, clearly indicating this map was created from a used map of a captured Japanese soldier. The Battle of Okinawa commenced on May 26, 1945, a mere nine days after the creation of this particular map. The battle was the bloodiest in the Pacific, nicknamed ‘typhoon of steel’ for the ferocious fighting, kamikaze attacks, and the sheer number of ships and armored vehicles of the Allies. An exceptional relic. Expected wear, showing heavy foxing and some marginal tears.