Ensemble comprenant une carte et des photos aeriennes de la 17ᵉ Airborne 101st Airborne. Il inclut une carte accompagnee d’une photo aerienne de la region de Houffalize, marquee Office of AC of S G2 HQ 101 A/B Div 25/26 Dec 1944. Une autre carte avec photo aerienne de la region de Flamierge, marquee Office A Cof S G2 HQ 17th Airborne, datee du 25 decembre 1944. Sheet 1 et 2. Les mentions en bas a gauche sont a destination des quartiers generaux de la 101eme et de la 17 eme Airborne, ainsi que pour les officiers classes S G pour la securtie et le contre espionnage .On peut y distinguer Houffalize en feu. Il convient de signaler une certaine usure ainsi qu’une patine marquee sur l’ensemble des pieces. Etat II+. La ville de Houffalize, situee dans les Ardennes belges, a joue un role strategique crucial lors de la bataille des Ardennes en decembre 1944 et janvier 1945. Occupee par les forces allemandes des le 19 decembre 1944, Houffalize constituait un nœud routier vital pour l offensive allemande. Sa position permettait de controler les axes menant vers Bastogne et la Meuse. Les Allies ont donc decide de neutraliser cette position en lancant des bombardements intensifs. Dans la nuit du 30 au 31 decembre 1944, la Royal Air Force (RAF) a deploye 166 bombardiers, larguant environ 1 000 tonnes de bombes sur la ville. Une seconde vague d attaque a eu lieu dans la nuit du 5 au 6 janvier 1945. Ces bombardements ont detruit environ 90 % de la ville et cause la mort de plus de 200 civils. Le 16 janvier 1945, les troupes de la 3e Armee americaine, sous le commandement du general Patton, venant du sud, et celles de la 1re Armee americaine, venant du nord, se sont rencontrees a Houffalize. Cette jonction a marque un tournant decisif dans la bataille, permettant d encercler les forces allemandes et de reduire la poche qu elles avaient creee. Set including a map and aerial photographs of the 17th Airborne and 101st Airborne Divisions. It includes a map accompanied by an aerial photograph of the Houffalize area, marked “Office of AC of S G2 HQ 101 A/B Div 25/26 Dec 1944.” Another map with aerial photograph of the Flamierge area is marked “Office A Cof S G2 HQ 17th Airborne,” dated December 25, 1944. Sheets 1 and 2. The markings in the lower left are intended for the headquarters of the 101st and 17th Airborne Divisions, as well as for officers designated S G for security and counterespionage. Houffalize can be seen in flames. Note some wear and a pronounced patina on all pieces. Condition II+. The town of Houffalize, located in the Belgian Ardennes, played a crucial strategic role during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945. Occupied by German forces as early as December 19, 1944, Houffalize served as a vital road junction for the German offensive. Its position allowed control over routes leading to Bastogne and the Meuse River. The Allies therefore decided to neutralize this stronghold through intensive bombing. During the night of December 30 to 31, 1944, the Royal Air Force (RAF) deployed 166 bombers, dropping approximately 1,000 tons of bombs on the town. A second wave of attacks occurred during the night of January 5 to 6, 1945. These bombings destroyed about 90% of the town and caused the death of over 200 civilians. On January 16, 1945, troops from the U.S. Third Army, under General Patton, advancing from the south, and troops from the U.S. First Army, coming from the north, met in Houffalize. This junction marked a decisive turning point in the battle, allowing the Allied forces to encircle the German troops and reduce the pocket they had created.