Ink stamped "Aug.1917/(Mills bullet logo)" on the inside of the flap, this map case is of fine tan canvas construction, with multiple covered compartments for tools and papers, a matching colored shoulder strap, darkened brass "American eagle" snaps and a three-fold map compartment with integral plastic cover and green felt protective pads. On multiple contents of the case, as well as on the flap next to the Mills logo, is the hand signature of a Major J.H. Caudy of the 131st Infantry Regiment. Originally established as the 1st Battalion of Infantry of the Illinois State Guard in 1874, the unit deployed to Cuba in 1898, San Antonio for U.S./Mexican border service in 1916, and made a component of the 33rd Infantry Division in 1917. Deployed to France as a component of the American Expeditionary Force, the 33rd saw heavy action on the Western Front. Their earliest engagement, the Battle of Hamel, became a source of controversy, as platoons from the 131st and 132nd Infantry were detached from their unit and assigned to support Australian units under the direction of Australian officers. Though American brass was irked at the idea of American units operating under foreign command, the men of the 33rd carried themselves with dignity, becoming the first Americans to fight alongside British forces in war, and showed themselves capable of handing the new, innovative tactics in combined arms and advanced used of air and mechanized assets to support the push on German lines. One man of the 131st, Corporal Thomas A. Pope, so distinguished himself at Hamel that no less than King George V himself presented him with the Distinguished Conduct Medal (one step below the Victoria Cross), as well as receiving the Medal of Honor for the action. The 33rd would see further action during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, 2nd Battle of the Somme, and at the Battle of Saint-Mihiel. At the Armistice, the Division had pushed the front line roughly 40 kilometers, captured 460 machine guns, earned hundreds of medals, and achieved the distinction (held to this date) as being the only U.S. division to serve in the British and French armies. The following are contained in the case; a small hardwood metric ruler, two work sheets for a trench siting exercise from the Army School of the Line along with hand-written notes, and in the main trifold pocket is a September 1918 dated field map for the Meuse Department, folded to focus on the region around Brabant-sur-Meuse; several hand-marked annotations are present, including a prominent note "LINE OF RESISTANCE" in the vicinity of Bois Plat-Chene, which was a target for forces participating in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive as a German strong point. While Major Caudy's exact wartime activity is unrecorded, this may have been his personal field map during the Offensive, for tracking the changing situation during one of the great Entente pushes of World War One while he was in the midst of it.

Very good, showing some light staining and wear. The paper items all show foxing, crease tears and stains appropriate to age and use.