Original German WWII Signed USGI Bring Back Panzer Tank & Vehicle Identification Flag - 36" x 43"
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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 36 x 43 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, it was then decorated and signed by these same USGIs! There are some drawn lightning bolts and other designs in the corners, and the following locations written around the perimeter (Some are very faint): ENGLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, BELGIUM, AUSTRIA, and LUXEMBOURG. There are also numerous names written on the white field around the swas. Some are quite faded, but we were able to read the following names:
"BOB" WASHBURN
MORRIS, ILL.
S/SGT K.J. MCCALL
SAVANNA ILL
PFC. ALBERT LISS
NEW YORK
Jim Gallagher
Camb. Mass.
PFC. KANIECKI
OHIO
"Chuck"
T/4 Chas. Hardy
MD.
PFC. A. FEDDO
N.Y.
PFC. J. HERNDON
W. VA.
PFC. J. FELMEY N.J.
PFC. WALDEN
ILL.
M.J. Savol
Cleveland
Ohio
Sgt. Kipper
LA JUNTA,
COLORADO
Pfc. Boesen
Ill.
"DOC GOOD"
MICH
P.F.C. L. VARNO
OHIO
1/S G. GOSLIN
OHIO
P.F.C. J. ROTH
OHIO
Blaine VanAtta
Ohio
Pfc. Walton
NEW YORK
Cpl. KUSHMAN
WISC.
C. MEINZ
CAPE GIR. MO.
JOHN A. ROTH
CLEVELAND
OHIO
Really some fantastic research potential here! With this many names and locations it may be possible to determine the unit that captured and signed this flag.
A fantastic historical piece, ready to display!
- This product is available for international shipping. Shipping not available to: Australia, France, or Germany
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
- Due to legal restrictions this item cannot be shipped to Australia, France or Germany. This is not a comprehensive list and other countries may be added in the future.
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