France // Foreign legion 1 Para Batt. / Hooch Banner
AN important if unofficial French Foreign Legion "hooch banner".
A hooch banner or flag is a generic term to refer to unofficial flags use by soldiers and units to decorate their living quarters. Also used to identify bunkers, dwellings, barracks, other facilities or military vehicles; the served as moral builders. They often include an insignias, unit designations, patriotic slogans, or mottos. These were often gifts from home of US, state or other flags; but often these are macabre, with references and symbols of mortality.
Little is known about the history or use of this French Foreign Legion hooch banner.
It was acquired from a Vietnam War militaria dealer through private purchase in 2007 in a group of other flags. It is stated that it was acquired in Vietnam and dated from the French Colonial period.
However, ever since President Clinton normalized relations with Vietnam in 1995 there has been a lively trade in all types of war souvenirs, including flags, that all have the look of the pre-1975 items, although made for the Vietnamese war souvenir market. These commemorative NVA and VC flags are currently being made for parades and victory anniversary celebrations in Ho-Chi-Minh City. Presumably for Vietnamese veterans, now growing nostalgic and seeking a memento of service, a unit color or a victory or moral flag; but there is there is also a trade in flags and banners with allied insignias, slogans and mottos.
It is highly likely that these are made by the same shops and firms and possibly the same people using the same fabrics and techniques who made them in the 1970s. It would not be difficult for these to pass into the collector's market.
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