British coordinates?

[P3zi]

Hello, 
I am studying a British report concerning a raid carried out in Italy in 1918. 
In the description occasional topographical references appear I think, perhaps coordinates?

I know that the British on their 1:10,000 maps used the Lambert grid but I still don't understand the geographical significance of these references.

I will transcribe an example: ”.....runnuing from about H.356.513 to H.339.484......”

Can you indicate how these numbers should be read?

Grazie

Paolo

[Howard]

In the Lambert system, you read Eastings first then the Northings, so 356.513 is 356.513 kilometres East of the map origin and 339.484 is 339.484 kilometres North of that origin. The H comes from the British habit, as used in France and Belgium, of putting a letter in each main square, i.e. not part of the Lambert system.

The problem is those values do not have values even roughly in the range of values of where the British fought, I am assuming it was around Asiago and the River Piave.

For example, in the British map below, a point called Handley Cross is at N 45.829460, E11.478614 (top left of the map) and has the Lambert coordinates H 174.330, 231.503. That is 800 yards south of Queen's Corner, the site of the current Boscon British Cemetery.

You can see the map in TrenchMapper. Main Menu, change theatre to Italy, Main Menu->Jump to->Specified Map ID and use 3-22. In TrenchMapper we crop off the margins but usually leave the Lambert coordinates, I am not sure why this one has them missing. If you put Boscon in the search box, that will take you there.

It is not uncommon on French maps for people to write Northings then Eastings but even that gets nowhere near 356.513 to 339.484

Most of the Italian maps on TrenchMApper are Austrian and use a different grid system.

If you can let me know the nearest place you are interested in, I will look to see what I can find.

Howard

 

[P3zi]

Fantastic Howard....Thanks.
I am studying a report of a raid that took place on the Asiago plateau. The raid was carried out by the 2nd Battalion of the Honourable Artillery Company. The report refers to a 1:10000 map by Cavrari but the precise area is Canove di Sotto.

[P3zi]

Howard, I followed your directions and managed to find the map I was interested in. I saw that the interesting maps that coincide with the area I am interested in are Sartori and the two of Cavrari.

Too bad you can't zoom in any further. I couldn't find out if the maps can be downloaded.

Edited 8 January by P3zi

[Howard]

I think that puts you around 172.795, 234.738. Sadly nothing like your H.356.513 to H.339.484 although it is in square H.

Howard