Old Map of Postwar Occupation and Denazification in Germany, 1946

Step into a pivotal moment in twentieth-century history with this exceptional map, "I.A. & C. Division Situation As At 21 Feb. 1946," a rare artifact from the immediate aftermath of the Second World War. Created by the British Information and Civil Division, this map offers a detailed and authoritative view of the British Zone of Occupation in northwest Germany, a region undergoing profound transformation. Spanning from Cologne in the south to the Danish border in the north, and encompassing such major cities as Hamburg, Hannover, and Bremen, the map captures the complexity of governance, reconstruction, and denazification efforts at a time when Europe was striving to rebuild from the ashes of conflict.

What sets this map apart is its remarkable thematic depth. Far more than a simple geographical reference, it serves as a comprehensive administrative and infrastructural overview, meticulously charting the region’s railways, roads, and waterways. Each element is clearly differentiated—railways by track type and electrification, roads by width and construction, and waterways by their carrying capacity—providing a window into the logistical backbone essential for both military and civilian life. These details illuminate the immense challenge of restoring normalcy, facilitating movement, and reviving trade in a landscape scarred by war.

Equally compelling are the boxed summaries and tables that frame the map, offering a granular snapshot of daily life and governance in early 1946. The British authorities, through their various branches—Education, Public Safety, Health, Administration, Survey, and more—monitored everything from school attendance and hospital bed availability to crime rates and the flow of displaced persons. These statistics and reports bring to life the multifaceted responsibilities of the occupying powers, revealing their efforts to democratize local governance, maintain order, and care for a population deeply affected by years of conflict and upheaval.

The map’s historical significance is profound. It not only delineates the British Zone and the notable U.S. Enclave within it but also marks the administrative boundaries of Corps Districts and Provinces, underscoring the careful organization required to manage such a vast and devastated territory. The presence of key cities like Hamburg, Cologne, and Hannover, alongside crucial transportation routes, speaks to the strategic importance of this region in the broader context of European recovery. The inclusion of data on war graves, political activities, and the status of communication networks further enriches our understanding of the immediate postwar environment.

For collectors, historians, or anyone with an appreciation for the nuanced tapestry of European history, this map is a rare and invaluable piece. Its rarity is underscored by the fact that so few examples are known to exist, making it not only a window into the past but also a testament to the extraordinary efforts of those tasked with rebuilding a nation. Displaying this map is an invitation to reflect on the resilience, complexity, and hope that defined Germany’s journey from war to peace—a story etched into every line, symbol, and annotation on this remarkable document.

Places on this map

• Hamburg
• Hannover
• Cologne (Köln)
• Bremen
• Lübeck
• Kiel
• Osnabrück
• Münster
• Oldenburg
• Flensburg
• Wilhelmshaven
• Bielefeld
• Braunschweig (Brunswick)
• Göttingen
• Cuxhaven
• Emden
• Bremerhaven
• Lüneburg
• Minden
• Hildesheim

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Clearly delineated British Zone of Occupation boundary
• U.S. Enclave marked within the British Zone
• Detailed railway network, with distinctions for number of tracks, gauge, electrification, and tunnels
• Road network categorized by type (motor highways, main roads, etc.) and width
• Waterways classified by navigable craft capacity
• Administrative boundaries: Corps Districts and Provinz boundaries
• Boxed summaries for each administrative branch: Education, Public Safety, Administration & Local Government, Survey, Health, Posts & Telecommunications, Entries & Exits
• Legend explaining map symbols for infrastructure and boundaries
• Tables and text blocks with statistics and situational reports as of January and February 1946
• Data on schools, students, and educational infrastructure
• Information on police training, uniforms, crime, and black market activity
• Notes on democratization, administrative directives, war graves, and political activities
• Survey branch notes on completion of administrative boundary information
• Health statistics: hospital beds, birth/death rates, DPs, and POWs
• Postal service, telephone, and radio status
• Travel statistics: permits issued and clearances granted
• Map scale and orientation
• Surrounding regions and neighboring countries, including Denmark
• Key transportation routes for military and civilian movement
• Emphasis on infrastructure vital for reconstruction and occupation logistics

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: I.A. & C. Division Situation As At 21 Feb. 1946 (Second World War - Postwar Occupation of Germany - Denazification)
• Date created: 21 February 1946
• Mapmaker/publisher: Information and Civil Division (I.A. & C. Division), British administration, post-World War II
• The I.A. & C. Division was a British administrative body responsible for overseeing civilian life, infrastructure, and governance in the British Zone of Occupation in postwar Germany.
• Covers northwest Germany, from Cologne in the south to the Danish border in the north, including major cities and regions within the British Zone
• Thematic, highly detailed, with a comprehensive legend; includes tables and boxed summaries for each administrative branch; uses color and symbols to differentiate infrastructure and boundaries
• Provides a snapshot of the immediate postwar situation in British-occupied Germany, including efforts at reconstruction, denazification, and democratization
• Highlights the administrative complexity and the multifaceted challenges faced by the occupying authorities
• Rare artifact: Very few known copies exist; part of a set of three maps with different dates
• Offers insight into the infrastructure, governance, and humanitarian situation in Germany shortly after WWII, making it valuable for historians studying the occupation and reconstruction period

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 20in (50cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.