The “Italian Stalingrad” of the Canadian Army.
This Defence Overprint map, produced at a scale of 1:50,000, depicts the coastal terrain surrounding Ortona, Italy — the site of one of the most intense urban battles fought by the 1st Canadian Infantry Division during the Italian Campaign. The map outlines roads, elevation contours, and defensive positions that defined the battlefield during the winter of 1943.
Between 20–28 December 1943, Canadian forces battled two battalions of elite German paratroopers from the 1st Parachute Division in brutal house-to-house fighting. The struggle for Ortona became known as the “Italian Stalingrad”, a defining moment in Canada’s military history.
This reproduction preserves the clarity and detail of the original wartime overprint map, offering a unique visual record of the terrain that shaped this pivotal battle on the Adriatic coast.
Product Details:
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Printed on 175 gsm premium fine-art paper
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Matte finish for an authentic archival appearance
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Created from high-resolution scans of original wartime maps
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Displays terrain contours, defensive positions, and key landmarks
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Ideal for collectors, historians, educators, and battlefield visitors
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Ships worldwide in protective packaging
A faithful reproduction of the operational map used by Canadian troops during one of their hardest-fought victories of the Italian Campaign.