BACKGROUND: When Germany invaded Poland on September 1^ST 1939 the German armoured vehicles utilized a white painted Balkan cross on all four sides of the vehicle as identification insignia to prevent attack from friendly aircraft. The white Balkan crosses were highly visible however and also acted as a good aiming point for the Polish anti-tank gunners and armoured vehicle losses were higher then expected. As a result regulations of October 17^TH 1939, ordered the replacement of the white Balkan crosses with a black Balkan cross with a white outline. Anticipating further identification difficulties in the impending invasion of the low countries and France the OKH, Oberkommando des Heeres, (High Command of the Army), introduced the swastika field and vehicle identification flags on March 8^TH 1940. Further regulations of April 1941 discontinued use of the swastika flag and reverted to using the Balkan cross flag. During the early to mid-war rapid advances, when Germany still had air superiority, these type of flags were widely used by forward troops. Later in the war as Germany lost air superiority the flags were used less and less frequently.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 36 1/4" x 28", single sided, two piece, woven, light weight, cotton/rayon blend construction field and vehicle identification flag features a red base field with a separate, roughly, 18" diameter, white circular disk with a black printed, canted swastika machine stitched to the center of one side. Curiously the central white disc has dual, diagonally angled, stitch outlines. Both ends of the flag have dual-ply hems and all four corners of the flag have a small, natural alloy grommet, designed for securing the flag to the ground or a vehicle. The flag has no visible manufacturer’s markings. The flag is in overall very good condition with minor age and usage toning, a small stain to the central white disk and some color fading to the swastika.

GRADE ***1/2                             PRICE $358.00