1944 NavWar Map No. 2 – The South China Sea Area

NavWar Map no. 2 focuses on Southeast Asia and the South China Sea, a region depicted as both a battleground and a storehouse of vital global resources. Produced in 1944 for the Bureau of Naval Personnel’s educational program, this chart sought to explain to American servicemen why Japan fought so fiercely for control of the area. The map highlights the region’s immense wealth in raw materials—tin, oil, rubber, tungsten, tea, spices, and tropical hardwoods—that were essential for modern warfare and global commerce. By tying these resources directly to American strategic interests, the Navy underscored the stakes of the Pacific campaign. The map graphically combines shaded relief with sweeping arrows that show Japan’s expansion across Southeast Asia and the islands of the South China Sea. Bright directional flows illustrate invasion routes, naval supply lines, and contested waters. Key cities, ports, and resource centers are marked with distinct icons, while inset illustrations highligh