Maps. Memories from the Second World War

9 Mar 2024 — 26 Jan 2025 at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, United Kingdom

13 January 2025

Daily Express war maps from 1944 and stickers. Courtesy of National Museum of Scotland

Explore the creation and use of maps during the Second World War. Discover their use through personal stories, photography, and memorabilia.

Between 1939 and 1945 over 3 billion maps were produced for the Allied, Soviet and German forces. Used to navigate the jungles of south-east Asia or for devising an escape plan, the maps on display are now mementoes. Maps kept alongside medals and photographs to say ‘I was there’.

You'll find aerial photography, war diaries, and even a fashionable dress made from escape and evasion maps.

The exhibition introduces us to a Prisoner of War, an RAF pilot, a Brigadier and an army chaplain through the maps they kept as a memory of their war service.

National Museum of Scotland

At National Museums Scotland, we care for collections of national and international importance, preserving them, interpreting them and making them accessible to as many people as possible.

Museum profile

Location

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

'Major Robert W. Cairns MBE, TD, MA Father's Memorabilia, North West Europe', (1995), by Joyce W Cairns PPRSA. Courtesy of National Museum of Scotland

Map of northwest Germany marked with the location of Milag Nord prisoner of war camp, from a newspaper, from a group of items associated with Gordon C. Rose. Courtesy of National Museum of Scotland

Sub-Lieutenant Gordon C. Rose, whose story is explored in the exhibition (M.2004.71.1). Courtesy of National Museum of Scotland

'Major Robert W. Cairns MBE, TD, MA Father's Memorabilia, North West Europe', (1995), by Joyce W Cairns PPRSA. Courtesy of National Museum of Scotland
Map of northwest Germany marked with the location of Milag Nord prisoner of war camp, from a newspaper, from a group of items associated with Gordon C. Rose. Courtesy of National Museum of Scotland
Sub-Lieutenant Gordon C. Rose, whose story is explored in the exhibition (M.2004.71.1). Courtesy of National Museum of Scotland

Map of northwest Germany marked with the location of Milag Nord prisoner of war camp, from a newspaper, from a group of items associated with Gordon C. Rose. Courtesy of National Museum of Scotland
Sub-Lieutenant Gordon C. Rose, whose story is explored in the exhibition (M.2004.71.1). Courtesy of National Museum of Scotland
'Major Robert W. Cairns MBE, TD, MA Father's Memorabilia, North West Europe', (1995), by Joyce W Cairns PPRSA. Courtesy of National Museum of Scotland