Weather charts which shaped the outcome of World War Two have recently been discovered, ahead of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.
Six weather maps cover the start of June 1944 – with the D-Day landings originally planned for June 5th, but dependent on the weather conditions. For six months before the invasion teams of US and British meteorologists prepared by studying weather charts from the past.
Gen Dwight D Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander for the D-Day landings, appointed Group Captain James Stagg as chief meteorologist and worked alongside Col Donald Yates, his American counterpart, each with teams of meteorologists working with them.
As June 5th drew closer the teams disagreed about the forecast – ideal conditions would be calm seas, clear skies and light winds. Stagg studied the weather data on June 4th and noticed a break in the weather for June 6th, which he reported to Eisenhower, thus setting the date for the invasion.
The maps were presented to Captain David Davidge, a senior meteorologist in the Royal Navy upon his retirement, and rediscovered by his widow, Ruth, in 2019. They will go under the hammer at John Rolfe Auctions in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, in a four-day sale starting on April 20th.
“With the 80th anniversary of D-Day fast approaching it truly is an honour to be putting these maps to market. In my career I don’t think I’ve handled such a poignant lot with great historical relevance. As for pricing these things, where do we start? These maps are to be sold along with 2,000 other good things in our ‘Quite Remarkable’ sale that starts on 20th April,” said Mr Rolfe.
For more information visit John Rolfe Auctions
