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Just announced Exhibition National War Museum

Maps: Memories from the Second World War

9 Mar 2024 - 25 Jan 2026

Free, included in admission

The neck of a dress made from silk 'escape and evade' maps in bright oranges.

Dressing gown/dress made from silk 'escape and evade' maps c.1945 (Worthing Theatres and Museum collection, accession number 1971/1137).

© On loan from Worthing Theatres and Museum

Dressing gown/dress made from silk 'escape and evade' maps c.1945 (Worthing Theatres and Museum collection, accession number 1971/1137).

© On loan from Worthing Theatres and Museum

Through personal stories, photography and memorabilia, this new exhibition charts the creation and use of maps during the Second World War.

Between 1939 and 1945, over 3,000 million maps were produced for the Allied, Soviet and German forces during the Second World War.

Originally used to navigate the jungles of south-east Asia or for devising an escape plan, the maps on display are now mementoes, kept alongside medals and photographs to say ‘I was there.’

From aerial photography to 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.

A brigadier in an office sitting at a desk with stacks of papers.

Brigadier Norman Macdonald at his desk at HQ Infantry School, Mhow.  (M.2003.126.23)

Photograph of Gordon Rose, sitting on a bench in Merchant Navy uniform.

Sub-Lieutenant Gordon C. Rose, whose story is explored in the exhibition (M.2004.71.1).

Frayed map of Germany torn from a newspaper.

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 (M.2004.71.2).

A visitor looking in a glass cabinet of war artefacts and memorabilia.

Plan your visit

National War Museum
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh
EH1 2NG

The National War Museum is included with admission to Edinburgh Castle. Visiting information can be found our Plan Your Visit page.

Plan your visit

Access

We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit. 

  • An adapted courtesy vehicle is available at the Castle's admissions kiosk to take visitors with mobility difficulties, including wheelchair users, to the Museum and other parts of the Castle.
  • The Museum itself has a level entrance and wheelchairs are available for loan at no charge.
  • There is a public lift between the two floors and seating is available throughout.
  • Adapted toilets are also available.

Find out more about access information.

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