Kennedy’s ‘ victory map’ of Cuba may fetch $ 20,000

Boston: Former US President John F Kennedy’s personal ‘ victory map’ of Cuba — used during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 - is expected to fetch over $ 20,000 at an auction in the US.

The map, consisting of two sheets once taped together at the centre, features eight types of sticker symbols applied to the surface, representing Soviet MiG fighter jets, Komar- class missile boats, IL- 28 bombers, SS- 4 missiles, SSMCruise missiles and nuclear storage sites.

The intelligence represented by the map was supplied by U- 2 spy planes, confirming Kennedy’s worst fears of an increasing Soviet military presence just one hundred miles away from the American coast.

The map is marked “Secret” in the lower left and upper right corners, according to the US- based RR Auction.

A two- page key paperclipped to the upper right corner, headed “MRBM- IRBM Status of Cuban Missiles,” dated October 27, 1962, summarises the Soviet military buildup, listing sites, enumerating number of launchers and missiles, and completion status.

The map shows the position of every Soviet missile, bomber and fighter jet and nuclear storage facility in Cuba as of noon on Saturday, October 27, 1962.

This was the most dangerous moment of the Cuban Missile Crisis. October 27 was the day the crisis came within hours, even minutes, of triggering a war between the US and Soviet Union.

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