Original Item: Only One Available. This a fantastic USGI Signed Bring Back multi-piece construction German WWII Swas (hook cross) identification flag, as used for Panzer tanks and other vehicles. It measures approximately 37 x 74 inches and has the standard NSDAP Swas (Hook Cross) dyed onto a circular white field. This was then sewn onto the red cotton body of the flag. It shows wear, some small tears, as well as stains, consistent with an example that saw real service on the field.

This flag features multi-piece construction and is single sided with plated steel grommets located in each corner. These grommets were secured to tension lines that secured the flag to the back of the tank laying flat. Thereby the flag was only visible to persons located above the tank. Generally these flags were intended to be seen by German airplanes so as not to be struck by friendly fire.

Most German tanks were destroyed during combat, so very few of these flags remained at the end of the war and most known examples were directly removed from tanks by USGIs in the field, such as this fine example. Even better, the USGI who captured it also signed it, along with their unit information, and even included information on where it was captured and when!

It was captured by:

Pvt. Sal Di Marzo
H.Q. CO. 3RD. BN.
7TH
INF
3RD DIVISION

Pvt. Di Marzo was a member of the 3rd Battalion, Headquarters company, 7th Infantry regiment. This was part of the 3rd Infantry Division during WWII, and took part in Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France via Sea and Air. The flag indicates it was captured in MONTELIMAR FRANCE on OUG. 29,1944, which is right in the correct time period and location. Montélimar is located on the Rhône River, northwest of the landing beaches, and on the direct route U.S. forces took after the landings.

Really some fantastic research potential here! Condition of the flag is very good, showing some staining and wear due to service and age. It is still in very good condition, and will make a fantastic wall display!

Operation Dragoon
The goal of the invasion was to secure the vital ports on the French Mediterranean coast and increase pressure on the German forces by opening another front. After some preliminary commando operations, the US VI Corps landed on the beaches of the Côte d'Azur under the shield of a large naval task force, followed by several divisions of the French Army B. They were opposed by the scattered forces of the German Army Group G, which had been weakened by the relocation of its divisions to other fronts and the replacement of its soldiers with third-rate Ostlegionen outfitted with obsolete equipment.

Hindered by Allied air supremacy and a large-scale uprising by the French Resistance, the weak German forces were swiftly defeated. The Germans withdrew to the north through the Rhône valley, to establish a stable defense line at Dijon. Allied mobile units were able to overtake the Germans and partially block their route at the town of Montélimar. The ensuing battle led to a stalemate, with neither side able to achieve a decisive breakthrough, until the Germans were finally able to complete their withdrawal and retreat from the town. While the Germans were retreating, the French managed to capture the important ports of Marseille and Toulon, soon putting them into operation.

The Germans were not able to hold Dijon and ordered a complete withdrawal from Southern France. Army Group G retreated further north, pursued by Allied forces. The fighting ultimately came to a stop at the Vosges mountains, where Army Group G was finally able to establish a stable defense line. After meeting with the Allied units from Operation Overlord, the Allied forces were in need of reorganizing and, facing stiffened German resistance, the offensive was halted on 14 September. Operation Dragoon was considered a success by the Allies. It enabled them to liberate most of Southern France in just four weeks while inflicting heavy casualties on the German forces, although a substantial part of the best German units were able to escape. The captured French ports were put into operation, allowing the Allies to solve their supply problems quickly.