Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice U.S. captured WWII German National Flag, which measures a large 50 inches long by 72 inches wide.. These were used inside buildings, possibly hung as a banner, or possibly used on parades. It is of all cotton construction, and is double sided with a single piece cotton white circles with sewn-on black Swasses (Hook Crosses) sewn onto both sides.

This may have been a banner at one point, with the ends being cut short so the symbol would be larger. Condition is very good, but does show wear from use in service and possibly afterwards, as well as a sizable outline stain. The colors are very well retained, with light age toning to the white circles, and a vibrant red two piece field.

This flag was captured by American soldiers of the 35th Infantry Division, and signed by 9 of them. The names of the soldiers and their hometowns are

Sol Plotsky, Hempstead, L.I. N.Y.

Manle Davis, Sangerville, Maine

Raymond Paige, North Platte, Nebraska

Ed. Clayton, Durham, N.C.

Charles E. Koontz, Hag, Md.

Jim De Vries, Seattle, Wn

W. W. Schmidt, Portland, Ore.

Elmer H. Gamble, Buffalo Valley, Tenn.

Monroe Hamon, Tioga, W. Va. 

Research has shown that these men were part of the 35th Infantry Division, known during WWII as the Santa Fe Division. The 35th Infantry Division arrived in England on 25 May 1944 and received further training. It landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy 5–7 July 1944 and entered combat on 11 July, fighting in the Normandy hedgerows north of St. Lo. The division turned away twelve German counterattacks at Emelie before entering St. Lo on 18 July. After mopping up in the St. Lo area, it took part in the offensive action southwest of St. Lo, pushing the Germans across the Vire River on 2 August, and breaking out of the Cotentin Peninsula.

We have provided a small bit of newspaper research, but there is much more research to be done on this flag and the nine soldiers who signed it! This is a fantastic flag with a ton of history, ready for further research and display.

While en route to an assembly area, the 35th Infantry Division was "flagged off the road," to secure the Mortain-Avranches corridor and to rescue the 30th Division's "Lost Battalion" August 7–13, 1944.

Then racing across France through Orleans and Sens, the division attacked across the Moselle on 13 September, captured Nancy on 15 September, secured Chambrey on 1 October, and drove on to the German border, taking Sarreguemines and crossing the Saar on 8 December. After crossing the Blies River on 12 December, the division moved to Metz for rest and rehabilitation on 19 December. The 35th moved to Arlon, Belgium December 25–26, and took part in the fighting to relieve Bastogne, throwing off the attacks of four German divisions, taking Villers-laBonne-Eau on 10 January, after a 13-day fight and Lutrebois in a 5-day engagement. On 18 January 1945, the division returned to Metz to resume its interrupted rest.

In late January, the division was defending the Foret de Domaniale area. Moving to the Netherlands to hold a defensive line along the Roer on 22 February, the division attacked across the Roer on 23 February, pierced the Siegfried Line, reached the Rhine at Wesel on 10 March, and crossed 25–26 March. It smashed across the Herne Canal and reached the Ruhr River early in April, when it was ordered to move to the Elbe April 12. Making the 295-mile dash in two days, the 35th mopped up in the vicinity of Colbitz and Angern, until 26 April 1945 when it moved to Hanover for occupational and mopping-up duty, continuing occupation beyond VE-day. The division left Southampton, England, on 5 September, and arrived in New York City on 10 September 1945.