BACKGROUND: Personal and unit command pennants were an old German Army tradition which was continued and expanded during the Third Reich and included new designs and patterns for the fledgling Luftwaffe. Regulations concerning Luftwaffe personal and unit command pennants can be found dated as early as January 1935, before the formation of the Luftwaffe was officially announced. The personal and unit command pennants underwent numerous minor alterations at various times through-out the war. The Officer’s vehicle pennant was introduced on December 27^TH 1935 and was originally designated, Dienstwimpel, (Service Pennant), on April 27^TH 1937 the designation was altered to Luftwaffenwimpel, (Air Force Pennant). This pattern pennant was utilized by Officer’s who were not authorized a command or staff pennant. The pennant was flown from the left, front, fender of the Officer’s official or personal vehicle, when the Officer was uniformed and in the vehicle. Of Note: Regulations also dictated that the vehicle flying the pennant be of German manufacture and in good condition. Further regulations of June 17^TH 1938 permitted all Luftwaffe personnel, regardless of rank, to fly the vehicle pennant on privately owned cars as long as it was being driven by uniformed personnel. The pennants usually came with a removable protective covering.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 8 1/2" tall at the hoist end, 14" long, horizontal, isosceles triangle, woven, dual-ply, Luftwaffe blue/grey cotton/rayon blend construction pennant features a nicely detailed, machine woven, second pattern, Luftwaffe eagle, clutching a canted swastika in it’s talons, in silvery/white threads with black accent threads, machine stitched to the center of each side. The eagles wingspan is roughly, 5 1/2" from tip to tip. The top and bottom edges of the pennant are trimmed with machine stitched on, twisted, silvery/white rayon braiding. The hoist edge is trimmed in horizontally ribbed, silvery/white rayon. The pennant shows light to moderate age and usage toning, small tears to both the top and bottom edge of the hoist edge and one side has come unstitched from the hoist edge revealing an internal, red, cotton/rayon reinforcement panel.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $379.00