Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding souvenir Italian flag which was signed by twenty-four soldiers of the 12th Platoon, 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards. The flag is a tri-color Italian flag with a gorgeous chain-stitched Savoy coat of arms. The top of the flag is inscribed SOUVENIR OF THE MARETH LINE, denoting that it was likely captured & signed during the Battle of the Mareth Line from March 16-31st, 1943. The 3rd Battalion was attached to the 201st Guards Motor Brigade Group and saw heavy combat during the battle. The group also took part in the following engagements: Tobruk, Battle of Gazala, Medenine, Mareth Akarit, Enfidaville, Tunis, Salerno, Capture of Naples, Volturno Crossing, Monte Cassino, Garigliano Crossing.

The platoon’s Lieutenant (Acting Captain), Christopher Harris Bulteel, who signed this flag, was awarded the Military Cross. His citation reads:

“On the afternoon of September 25th, 1943, the company took part in an attack on Point 270, north of Salerno. Captain Bulteel led his platoon in a frontal assault upon the precipitous side of the hill, the whole of which was covered from the top by many enemy machine-gun posts. Through intense enemy MG and mortar fire and the many grenades which the defenders threw down from their positions, Captain Bulteel pressed on at the head of his platoon. Men that had become separated from other platoons he gathered together and led on with his own to the assault. By his determination, his utter disregard for his own safety, and by his magnificent leadership, his platoon, now sorely depleted through heavy casualties, succeeded in slaving the hillside and infiltrating between the enemy posts to assault and silence them from the flanks and rear. The natural strength of the enemy positions, the number of their machine guns, and the intensity of their defensive fire, MG, mortar, and grenade, must have presented the feature as impregnable. But the attack succeeded, and the hill was taken and held. It was taken and held by the courage and determination inspired in all who took part by the example and inspiration of Captain Bulteel. Throughout the battle his leadership was fearless and unaltering, his own personal bravery beyond all praise.”

Bulteel’s memoirs were published in 2000 as “Something about a Soldier: The Wartime Memoirs of Christopher Bulteel M.C.”

This gorgeous 28 ¾ x 38 ½” flag has had many of the names of the soldiers stitched over to preserve them, but most of the lower names were left out. The cross of the Savoy coat of arms is stitched with 3RD BN. COLD STREAM GUARDS / NO 12 PLATOON.. Around the coat of arms are the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 sections, the Platoon HQ, and the Truck Drivers. The list of men include:

- No. 1 Section:
SGT Brewer, R. 
L/Cpl. Rowell, C. 
CDSN. Haig
Evans
Youill
Clift

- No. 2 Section:
L/Cpl. Batty, R.
L/Cpl. Horn, F. 
CDSN Turver, E.
Scott, W. 
Williams, J. 
Clark, T.

- No. 3 Section:
L/Sgt. Head, G. 
CDSN Carrol, G.
Chapman, A.
Ruiland, R. 
Mayhill, S.
Coulton, C. 

- Platoon HQ
Lt. C. Bulteel (MILITARY CROSS RECIPIENT)
Sgt. Stevenson
CDSN Mitchell

- Truck Drivers
CDSN Root, D.
Becken, J.
Perkins, P.

It is unknown why the stitcher stopped halfway through the soldiers, but thankfully we were still able to read the names of the soldiers. It is truly something that this flag is signed by the platoon which Bulteel led on his assault of Point 270, and it certainly warrants this flag being professionally framed and preserved.

One of the most outstanding flags that we have had the pleasure of offering. Coldstream Guard material is already incredibly difficult to find, let alone to a platoon as storied as this. Comes ready for further research, framing, and display!