1944 NavWar Map No. 1 – The Mediterranean

NavWar Map no. 1 presents the Mediterranean as a vital theater of operations during World War II, portraying it not simply as a sea but as a central gateway to “Fortress Europe.” Produced in 1944 by the Bureau of Naval Personnel, this chart framed the Mediterranean campaign for American servicemen as one of geography, logistics, and strategic necessity. By placing North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Near East into a single visual narrative, the Navy emphasized how this body of water linked together the Allies’ campaigns from North Africa through Sicily and into Italy, while also highlighting the region’s resources and its position as one of the main approaches to the European continent. The map is dominated by bold arrows that show Allied invasion routes across the sea, naval battles, and the supply lines that tied together the vast Mediterranean front. Red dashed lines delineate Axis control, while inset diagrams provide details on campaigns in North Africa, particularly in Algeria