GPS and WWII Map Coordinates Question

Admittedly, I am not savvy with Global Positioning jargon, so I'll try to post this question in the best layman's terms I can ...I hope.

We have conversion web sites ( Notes on the "Modified British System" used on the European Theatre of Operations during the WWII )for example, that can convert six-digit WWII map coordinates (found in After Action Reports etc) into latitude & longitude degrees. Then, cutting and pasting those degree coordinates on Google Earth, we can get a pretty close idea of the present day locale from the WWII map location. So far so good.

My question is: with a lap top, and a portable Global Positioning Device (GPS), would it be possible to utilize the converted WWII map coordinates, Google Earth, and the GPS so that a battlefield explorer can walk along until "X" marks the spot? This would be helpful in, say, heavily forested regions, or other rough terrain. Does this sound feasible? Has anyone ever heard of this being done?

Greg C.

 

Hi Greg - I'm years out of date so i don't know what is available on modern handheld GPSs without doing some research (if noone else can answer this get back to me and i'll have a look) but it used to be that you could change the coordinate system in the handheld to a good long list of alternative ones and alternative datums.

If the ww2 maps system wasn't in there there were at least a few models that allowed you to program your own in - would just need some research to establish the system used on the map you want to use.

Then you could just use the gps as normal to find the spot on the ground - tying things in with google earth might be a little harder - you'd have to ask someone else about that.

 

Hi Greg!

If your converted coordinates falls on the correct places in Google Earth, the big step is done!

To see your current position on a map, you will need a GPS receiver with cable (or bluetooth), and a good GIS (Geographic Information System) software with interface to your GPS device, and base map or satellite images of the region.

I'm used to work with ArcGIS, an commercial app, but there is good free alternatives like QGIS with the GPS plugin. Here is a good tutorial on this.

I have some experience with this, so if you need some help, you can call me.

Another thing that you can do is upload a map directly to you GPS device, a see this map while walking.

Regards,

Raphael Saldanha
Geographer

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