A commanding artifact of Allied wartime planning, Edward J. Krasnoborski’s D-Day Bombing Plan captures the decisive air strategy that framed Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944. Drawn at the critical juncture between planning and execution, it distills the vast theater of “The War in Western Europe” into a coherent plan of action, linking the Combined Bomber Offensive to the amphibious landings. What makes this map historically compelling is its synthesis of intelligence and intent: German dispositions are set against Allied air power, revealing how the skies were to unhinge the Atlantic Wall and isolate Normandy. In one view, the map conveys the choreography that opened the liberation of Western Europe, where timing, targets, and command alignment would determine the invasion’s first day.

Krasnoborski’s disciplined schematic style turns complexity into legibility. Colors and symbols differentiate Allied and German forces, while dotted lines trace bomber routes and shaded belts define primary and secondary target zones. Command structures are crisply integrated—SHAEF at the apex—linking air tasking with ground objectives and the naval timetable. Notes on key divisions, strength indicators, and corps boundaries add texture to the German order of battle, while coastal defenses are marked to show where bombardment must neutralize batteries before H-Hour. The effect is not merely cartographic; it is operational—an instrument that translates grand strategy into executable paths across air corridors and invasion approaches.

Strategically, the map centers on the Transportation Plan, the campaign to paralyze German movement before and during the landings. Primary targets highlight rail hubs, bridges, marshalling yards, and port facilities—Amiens, Lille, Paris, Orléans, Tours, Rennes, Le Havre, and Caen—whose disruption would bottle up reserves and isolate the Cherbourg–Caen axis. Secondary designations steer strikes to contingency nodes and coastal gun sites around Cherbourg, St. Malo, and Dieppe, ensuring redundancy if weather or resistance forced diversion. Just as pointed are the deception vectors toward the Pas-de-Calais, preserving ambiguity while the main effort converged on Normandy. In these layers, the map shows air power not as attrition alone but as the mechanism that denied the enemy time, space, and roads to counterattack.

The geography of operations is drawn with a planner’s exactness. From England’s south coast—London and Portsmouth as orchestration and embarkation hubs—air and sea lines sweep across the Channel to the beaches between Cherbourg and Le Havre, with the Caen plain flagged as a pivotal maneuver field. Inland, rivers and rail radials radiate from Paris toward Rennes, Tours, and Orléans, the very arteries targeted for interdiction. German coastal defenses bristle along Normandy and Brittany, while inland reserve groupings and numbered divisions stud the approaches toward Amiens and Lille. The wider theater is never far: Strasbourg and Toulouse anchor the map’s French periphery, while deep-penetration markers toward Berlin and Augsburg link Overlord to the sustained offensive against Germany itself.

Historically, this plan encapsulates the Allied conviction that control of the air would decide the fate of the ground. SHAEF’s command chain—Eisenhower’s supreme direction aligned with the bomber and tactical air commands—appears here as the architecture that fused strategy with timing. The map’s notations preserve the preassault calculus: smash the transport grid, blind the artillery, fracture command and control, and then seal the lodgment before panzer reserves can bite. In this sense, Krasnoborski’s work is both blueprint and testimony. It frames D-Day not as a single stroke but as a system of synchronized blows, the opening chapter in the campaign that drove from the Norman bocage toward Paris, the Rhine, and ultimately Germany’s capitulation.

Places on this map

• England
• France
• Germany
• London
• Portsmouth
• Cherbourg
• St. Malo
• Paris
• Dieppe
• Tours
• Amiens
• Caen
• Orléans
• Strasbourg
• Berlin
• Augsburg
• Le Havre
• Lille
• Rennes
• Toulouse

Notable Features & Landmarks

• German troop dispositions
• Locations of Allied forces
• Strategic bombing targets (primary and secondary)
• Major routes of troop movements
• Coastal defenses indicated
• Command structures, including SHAEF and various generals
• Key military divisions and numbers
• Major cities and towns labeled
• Significant geographic features (rivers, coastlines)
• Areas of operation indicated

Historical and design context

• Name of the Map: D-Day Bombing Plan, June 6, 1944 - Operation Overlord
• Date Created: 1944
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Edward J. Krasnoborski
• Context about the Mapmaker: Involved in WWII military cartography, contributing to strategic planning
• Extra Notes: Outlines “The War in Western Europe – The Combined Bomber Offensive – Overlord, High Command and Plan – German Dispositions, D-Day, 6 June 1944”
• Topics and Themes: Focus on Allied bombing plans for D-Day and German dispositions
• Design/Style: Detailed schematic with colors and symbols; dotted lines and shaded areas show targets and movements
• Historical Significance: Documents planning for a pivotal operation that began the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.

Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.

We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.

• We can deliver directly to the recipient
• Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
• Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
• Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
• 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide

If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.

Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.

We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.

Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.

Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.

Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.

If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.

Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.

Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 5-year guarantee.

Read our full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.