BACKGROUND: When Germany invaded Poland on September 1ST 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 17TH 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 8TH 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, 29" x 39", single sided, two piece, cotton construction field and vehicle identification flag. The flag features a light weight, red cotton base field with a roughly, 19" diameter, central white cotton circular disk with a black printed canted swastika to the center of one side. The central white cotton disk is machine stitched to the base. All four corners of the flag have a small, gilt washed, sheet metal grommet designed for attaching the flag to a vehicle. The outer edges of the flag all have a dual-ply hem with a single row of reinforcement stitching. The flag is in overall excellent condition with some wear to the swastika. Flag has a small black printed makers logo. Very nice example.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $352.00