1943 Map of Center Hills

About this map

The Center Hills dominate this mid-war tactical study, which was prepared specifically for the military training needs of the 651st Engineer Topographic Battalion. Created under the direction of the Commanding General for the California-Arizona Maneuver Area, the map focuses on the high-desert terrain of San Bernardino County. The topography is defined by the proximity of the Turtle Mts and the Sawtooth Range, providing a clear view of the complex landforms used for large-scale desert warfare preparation. Unlike standard civilian surveys of the era, this provisional map relies on earlier data from the Metropolitan Water District, repurposed to orient troops in an area designated for intensive maneuver training during 1943.