BACKGROUND: With the development of poisonous gasses used as offensive weapons in WWI appropriate defensive gasmasks and additional gas detection and gas warning equipment also had to be developed. One item introduced was a gas warning flag set that consisted of twenty small flags on metal poles, seventy-five feet of yellow marking tape and a carrying pouch. The gas warning flag set was issued on a limited basis and was also utilized to mark minefields. The German armed forces also utilized other assorted flags and signs to mark gas contaminated areas and minefields. This example is one of the larger minefield/gas warning flags.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 18cm square, woven yellow rayon construction, dual sided, flag with a central black printed skull and cross bones. The skull and crossbones are more detailed than those found on the small triangular pennants, and is similar to the SS style Totenkopf emblem. The side edges of the flag have dual-ply, hemmed, reinforcement seams while both the top and bottom edges have tunnel loops with inserted magnetic suspension wires with looped ends. The top bar also has a central circular metal loop and a natural tan suspension rope. The flag is in overall good condition with minimal age and usage toning.