World War II

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WORLD WAR II
Flags and Artifacts of the Second World War
ALLIES
United States – National Flags & Ensigns
ZFC1072 48 Star U.S. Flag. This was the ensign of one of the major warships that participated in the bombardment of the beaches during Operation Overlord. The D-Day invasion of France began the morning of the 6th of June 1944. To maintain secrecy, the name of the ship wearing this flag was not revealed when it was donated to the WWII flag collection of Calvin Bullock of New York City. The rips and tears are typical of the damage inflicted on a ships flag due to weather and/or battle conditions. Read more ZFC1090 48 Star U.S. Ensign - Battle of the Atlantic, 1942. This large and well-used wool 48 star US ensign was worn by a US vessel during the Battle of the Atlantic of WWII. In 1942, America's early participation was at a critical point. The campaign against German submarines in the North Atlantic was not going well. This ensign was provided to Mr. Calvin Bullock by Capt. R.C. Sanders, Head of the Supplies Department at Navy Yard New York, from “an undisclosed vessel." Tight secrecy helped protect the movement of military and merchant vessels supplying Great Britain through the North Atlantic route. Read more
ZFC1082 48 Star U.S. Ensign. This US ensign was formerly part of the collection of Wall Street financier Calvin Bullock; a successful businessman and WWII promoter of good Anglo-American relations. His 1 Wall street offices in New York City contained one of the world’s leading collections of memorabilia pertaining to Napoleon and Lord Nelson. Between 1939 and 1944, Bullock amassed a significant collection of Allied ensigns from his many international and military speakers at the Calvin Bullock Forum. Due to wartime security constraints, the name of the American vessel that wore this ensign remains unknown. Read more
ZFC2572 48 Star U.S. Roosevelt & Churchill Autographs. This flag, bears the autographs of both U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. They autographed this flag in the fall of 1943 at either the Cairo or Tehran Conferences when both FDR and Churchill met with Allied leaders in Cairo, Egypt and Tehran, Iran between the 22nd of November and 1st of December 1943. Read more
United States – Liberation Flags
ZFC0149 48 star U.S. flag made in Occupied Belgium. This 48 star United States flag is a Liberation Flag, a reference made to any flag made in the hope of liberation from an oppressor; most commonly flags of the various allied nations during WWII. During the Nazi occupation of Belgium, Madame Edith Coort-Fresart and her three daughters (Marguerite-Marie, Marie-Therese, and Francoise) of Liege, Belgium, secretly made Allied flags from bed sheets and other materials scavenged in their household. On September 7th, 1944, these women, in spite of the Nazis, were afforded the opportunity to fly them for the liberating armies to see and later present their US flag to an American officer, Major Arthur Tilghman Brice, the great-grandson of Francis Scott Key. Read more
United States - Military Flags
ZFC0290 F Company, 75th “Ranger” Infantry Regiment. This is an original, 1944, US Army Ranger guidon. Its design is based on U.S. Army "Model 1931" Infantry Company Guidon, with the designation “RANGERS” added. The 75th Rangers were formed from elements of the famous "Merrill's Marauders," who fought an unconventional, guerilla-style campaign against the Japanese Army in Burma during World War II. Read more ZFC0354 L Company, 139th Infantry Regiment, NC National Guard. This is a WWII, U.S. Army "Model 1931" Infantry Company Guidon. The unit designation is for Company L, of the 139th U.S. Infantry. They are famous WWI regiment, which again saw service again in WWII when they went ashore at Normandy and fought their way into Central Europe. They are currently a component of the NC Carolina National Guard. Read more
ZFC3595 48 Star US Interment flag, Sgt. Robert Burrows, 23rd Infantry. This 48 star United States Interment Flag was used for the funeral of U.S. Army Sergeant Robert Burrow, of Cayuga, Texas. Sgt. Burrow served in the 23rd US Infantry in the European Theater of Operations during WWII. Sgt. Burrow's untimely death came in the last few days of the war, during late April or early May 1945. Sgt. Burrow was one of the last casualties of World War II. Read more ZFC0243 US Army – International Red Cross (IRC) - Ambulance Flag. As a signatory to the Geneva Conventions, the United States is entitled to display the Geneva Convention flags from military general hospitals, field hospitals, ambulances and hospital ships. This well-worn flag is the 1’6” X2’3” size prescribed for military ambulances. This flag was made at the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot and was used in WWII, circa 1944. Forensic analysis may ultimately reveal in which theatre this guidon was used. Read more
US Army General Officers Flags, SHAEF, European Theatre and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre
ZFC3696 U.S. Army Air Corps Brigadier General Automobile flag. This ultramarine-blue woolen flag with a single, white five-pointed star over the insignia of the U.S. Army’s Air Corps was made to identify the vehicle of a brigadier general on the staff of that corps. All general officers of the corps staff were authorized to fly field, boat and car flags, and this is an example of the last. The Philadelphia Quartermaster depot made it in 1939, and they were used up until WWII. Read more ZFC3585 U.S. Marine Corps, General Alexander A. Vandergrift Personal flag. This USMC general officer personal flag was used at the very beginning of WWII by then Brigadier General Vandergrift, the former Assistant to the Commandant of the USMC, who after November 1941, became the Assistant Divisional Commander of the First Marine Division. Vandergrift commanded the First Marine in 1942 and 1943 at Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands. General Vandergrift was awarded the Medal of Honor for the Guadalcanal Campaign and eventually became Commandant of the Marine Corps. Read more
ZFC3283 Brigadier General William Hesketh, 1 Star. This U.S. Army, Brigadier General Personal Flag was used by Brigadier General William Hesketh, who served in the China-India-Burma Theatre, at the Anti-Aircraft Replacement Training Center at Camp Stewart, GA, as Commandant, and then as “Military Mayor,” or City Commandant, of Berlin’s American Sector under the Allied Military Government of Germany as a part of SHAEF. Read more ZFC3278 Major General George Veazey Strong, 2 Stars. This red wool flag with two white, five-pointed stars indicates the presence of a Major General in the Army of the United States of America. General Strong used this flag (and ZFC3278) from 1942 to 1944, during his WWII, SHAEF tenure as the Chief of Army Intelligence. General Eisenhower described him as, "…a senior officer possessed of a keen mind, a driving energy and ruthless determination." Read more
ZFC1273 Lieutenant-General Matthew B. Ridgway, 3 Stars. This flag was used by Lieutenant-General Matthew B. Ridgway, the acclaimed commander of US airborne forces for the Normandy Landings. Ridgeway impressed from his appointment to that rank on the 4th of June 1945. This flag accompanied Ridgway for the remainder of 1945, when he was commander of the 18th Airborne Corps; when he served in the Philippines as a deputy to Gen. Douglas MacArthur; and when he served in the Mediterranean Theatre. Read more
ZFC0518 U.S 4 star Flag Army General Robert Eichelberger. In September of 1944 General Eichelberger took command of the newly formed Eighth Army, leading the invasion of the Philippines. The Japanese met defeat by July 1945. After the Philippines, Eichelberger and his command supervised the surrender of over 50,000 Japanese troops. He was tapped to lead the invasion of the home islands of Japan, but the Japanese surrender after the atomic detonations precluded the necessity. In August, Eichelberger's Eighth Army began a three-year Occupation of Japan, where he played a leading role in the rebuilding a devastated country. Read more ZFC3275 U.S. General of the Army 5 star Flag - WWII. This an extremely rare, wool, five-star rank flag designates the personal presence of General of the Army, the highest possible wartime grade in the United States Army. It has been attributed to General of the Army Dwight Eisenhower as Supreme Commander of SHAEF. These 'positional colors,' flags such as this are officially styled and almost never come to auction, being in institutional collections. The rarity of this flag may be better understood by the fact that only four men achieved the grade of General of the Army during WWII: George Marshall, US Army Chief of Staff; Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander in the Pacific; Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander SHAEF, and Henry H. Hap Arnold, Commander of US Army Air Force, all in December 1944. Read more
United States - Army Air Forces
ZFC3282 U.S. Army Air Force, Major General's flag, Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Deputy Air Commander-in-Chief, 1S.H.A.E.F., HQ,1944. This is a wool flag exhibiting a blue field with Army Air Corps insignia in center with a 5 point white star to left and right. This flag has been attributed to Major General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the deputy air commander in chief of SHAEF and the commander of its American Air Component. The American Air Component was responsible for every US Army air operation during World War II. Read more
United States – Naval Flags
ZFC3289 48 Star US Ensign, USS Anchon, the flagship of the Commander of the Atlantic Fleet Amphibious Forces, Rear Admiral Alan G. Kirk. The Anchon wore this large wool ensign during the Allied Invasion of Sicily. The ensign is inscribed," GELA-SCOGLITTI-SICILY INVASION FLAGSHIP ATLANTIC AMPHIBIOUS FORCE JULY 9-10 1943" and "ADMIRAL KIRK, CAPT. P.L. MATHER, GRANVILLE F. LeMAISTRE, Sr. USS ANCON CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, JULY 11th 1943". Read more
ZFC1083 48 Star US Jack, of the USS Phelps, the first United States warship to drop anchor in Japanese "home" waters during World War II. This landfall occurred at Kwajalein Atoll on the 31st of January 1944. Upon dropping anchor in the harbor of Kwajalein, this "jack" (symbolizing the reuniting of the ship with "mother earth") was raised at the ship's bow, in accordance with naval traditions. This was the first US flag raised over Japanese territory, predating a flag raised by the US Marines later that day. Read more ZFC1071 48 Star U.S. Flag, WWII, Lt. John McGeorge Dalnez. Lt. Dalenz was an employee of the Wall St. investment firm Calvin Bullock Ltd., whose employment was interrupted by his wartime naval service. He gifted this flag to Calvin Bullock in April of 1944 after a “secret mission” in which the flag was carried. This was a private purchase as 'Sterling' brand civilian from Annin & Co.'s all wool commercial grade flags. John McGeorge Dalenz, eventually rose to become vice president of Calvin Bullock Ltd. The inscription on the Bullock Master List reads: “An American Flag that I was able to use for my own Unit on an historic occasion, From Lt. John Mc. Dalenz to Mr. C.B. - April 1944.” The inscription refers to the use of this flag on "secret" missions of the Navy during WWII. Bullock received this flag a matter of weeks after the flag's last service on one of these "missions". Read more
ZFC3264 U.S. Navy CB Maintenance Unit 524, WWII. The Latin phrase "Construimus Batuimus" curves across the top of this machine sewn, blue wool flag. It translates as "We build, We fight" and is the motto of the United States Navy Construction Battalions (CBs), commonly known as 'Seabees'. The unit designation "CB Maintenance Unit 524", under the light blue anchor, identifies the unit that carried this color in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. They served on Midway Island from 1944 to 1945. Read more
US Navy Flag Officers
ZFC3280 US Navy Rear Admiral John Jennings Ballentine Auto & Miniature Flag. This flag was used during WWII by Admiral Ballentine; a career naval officer and a naval aviator, who, as a captain in 1943, commanded the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) in actions for which he was twice decorated (1944 and 1945). In After his service on the Bunker Hill, he served as Commander Air Fleet Seattle and later as Liaison Officer between the CinCPac (Commander in Chief, Pacific) and the Supreme Commander for the Allied Forces for the Occupation of Japan, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. Read more ZFC3288 US Navy Fleet Admiral Personal Flag. Fleet Admiral is the most senior position in the United States Navy and only four men have been both nominated by the President and confirmed by the US Senate: William Leahy, Ernest King, Chester Nimitz and William Halsey. One of them flew this flag on his flagship or headquarters. Fleet admirals were appointed for life. This rank was created in 1944. This US Navy size 6 admiral's flag bears the white metal grommets, a hallmark of flags made during the war. Read more
United States – Other
ZFC3548 U.S. Service Flag with Two Stars from WWIl, form the Lear-Storer-Decatur Family. This red, white and blue wool flag is a service flag used to indicate family members serving in the US Armed Forces. This WWII example comes from the Lear-Storer-Decatur Families, who displayed it to commemorate the service of Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Stephen Decatur Wright, a naval aviator and Dr. James Garrett, surgeon with the 3rd Marine division in the Pacific. Service Flags are an official flag of the US Government, whose display, although widespread and largely arbitrary, are controlled by the Secretary of the Army. who is tasked with overseeing their design, construction, and manufacture. Read more
ZFC2237 US Treasury Department Saving Bond Program Minuteman Flag Award Flag was authorized during WWII. The purpose of the flag was to acknowledge US Savings Bond sales to corporations, individuals and military personal. The image was taken from the statue of the Continental Minuteman at Concord, Massachusetts at the North Bridge. The flag was issued in varying sizes and could incorporate additional symbols. Read more ZFC3154 The United States Army/Navy “E” Award Flag for outstanding War Production Work. The honor replaced the earlier awards of the Navy E, the Army A, and the Army-Navy Star. Manufacturers in war production and construction were eligible for the Army-Navy Production Award. In 4,283 facilities, workers earned the Army-Navy “E” Award for their part in the defeat of the Axis Powers. This represents just 5% of the estimated eligible plants. Approximately 50% of the Awards went to plants having less than 500 employees, generally considered “smaller war plants”. Read more
United Kingdom
ZFC0502 U.K. Royal Navy White Ensign of the battleship HMS Malaya. This flag was acquired by Mrs. Hugh Bullock Yard, in August of 1941, when the battleship was undergoing repairs at the New York, Navy. The Malaya comprised part of a defensive group in the Gulf of Aden and later joined the Mediterranean Fleet. After the Battle of Taranto in November 1940, the Malaya was based at Gibraltar. In this role she took part in numerous troopship escort duties to Suez, participated in Operation Harpoon, one of the many Malta convoys, and additional convoy escort duties off the West African Coast. She was damaged by torpedoes from U-106 off the Cape Verde Islands and sent to New York for repairs. Read more
ZFC0229 HMS Penelope White Ensign worn during the Siege of Malta in 1942. A preeminent jewel of the Bullock Collection, this White Ensign battle flag from the 1942 Battle of Malta against German and Italian air and naval forces. The damage to this ensign is testimony to the fury of the engagement at the Siege of Malta. Read more ZFC1073 United Kingdom Rear Admiral’s Flag. This was used by Sir Harold Burrough, who wore this on his flagship, the HMS Ashanti, when he led the Eastern Task Force into the Harbor of Algiers at the commencement of operations in North Africa (Operation Torch). In February of 1943 Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, the 1st Earl of Halifax, presented the flag to Mr. Calvin Bullock personally. Lord Halifax, the British Ambassador to the United States was addressing the Calvin Bullock Forum and used to occasion to make the presentation. Read more
ZFC0503 UK White Ensign. Due to wartime security constraints, the name of the vessel that flew this ensign during the invasion of Sicily remains unknown. In 1943, Admiral Bertram Ramsey, who planned the amphibious landings, commanded the Royal Navy, with the Eastern Task Force. The allied attacks on Sicily were code named Operation Husky and those for Salerno and Operation Avalanche. Both of these forces were commanded by the most famous British admiral during the Second World War, Andrew B. Cunningham. “ABC,” as he was known in the Royal Navy, had a superb fighting record in the early war years and served as First Sea Lord. Read more ZFC0228 UK White Ensign. This battle ensign was on the leading Royal Navy ship assaulting the Normandy beaches on June 6th, 1944. Calvin Bullock was the intended recipient of this flag, in addition to a German war flag (see ZFC1074) captured by British Forces in the attack on Bayeux days after the landings. Commander Anthony Kimmins had secured the flags for Calvin Bullock’s return to New York. He arrived to present them to Calvin Bullock, only to learn that Mr. Bullock had died two days previously, but his son Hugh Bullock accepted them in his father’s name. Read more
ZFC0230 UK Red Ensign, RMS Queen Elizabeth during WWII. It was presented to Mr. Calvin Bullock, in October 1943, by Mr. Robert H. Blake, the Associate Director of the Board of the Cunard White Star Line, owners of the Queen Elizabeth. In World War II the Queen Elizabeth served as a troopship. Sailing alone because of her size and speed, she and her sister ship, the RMS Queen Mary, delivered vital troops and supplies; steaming over 500,000 miles and delivering over 750,000 troops. Read more ZFC1271 UK Airborne HQ Guidon - Pegasus Guidon. This 6th British Airborne Divisional HQ Command Pennant came directly from the estate of United States Army General Matthew B. Ridgway. Ridgway acquired the pennant as a token of appreciation and a memento of command from elements of the British 6th Airborne Division after the crossing of the Rhine and the advance into Germany in the spring of 1945. The American General had visited the British Airborne's headquarters on the Baltic coast in Wismar, Germany, for a Thanksgiving Service at the end of the war. Read more
ZFC3287 United Kingdom – Royal Air Force Ensign. This is a sewn, wool Royal Air Force (RAF) ensign from World War II. The RAF Ensign is raised only on RAF installations and bases from freestanding flagpoles; never paraded. It was adopted in 1920, after a contentious round of discussion involving the Admiralty, The War Office and the Air Ministry. The Royal Navy relented only after King George intervened, who had initially opposed it. The Royal Air Force Ensign is flown daily at established RAF stations. It was acquired with other WWII glider related material, likely from a base associated with the Glider Pilot Regiment. It was acquired with a POW embroidered RAF Glider pilot’s wing insignia (ZFC3309) and several WWII cloth pilot’s maps of Europe. Read more
ZFC3266 United Kingdom – This is a Royal Artillery camp flag of Battery C, Light Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Regiment of the Royal Artillery. Although batteries of the Royal Artillery do not carry flags – the gun is considered the symbol of the unit – their camps were often marked with flags like this example. The amalgamation of Light Anti-Aircraft and Searchlight Regiments did not officially occur until after WWII. This flag is thought to be from one of two expedient wartime formations serving in the Netherlands in 1944 and 1945. Read more ZFC3272 UK Airborne Parachutist Drop Panel Marker Flag. This Cotton yellow parachutist drop zone marker would have been used by both pathfinders and airborne troops to mark drop, landing and resupply zones for parachute and glider borne forces. Markers of this type were used at Normandy for D-Day, Operation Market Garden and Operation Varsity in WWII. Read more
UK Artifacts
ZFC3309 This United Kingdom Army Glider Pilots Wings was made by British Prisoners of War (POWs). The original “wings” for pilots in the Glider Pilot Regiment was the Army Flying Badge ('Lion with Blue Wings'). The regiment was formed in 1942 and early war Glider Pilots wore wings similar to these. In 1944, the insignia would be changed to a winged “G.” The Glider Pilot embroidery is framed and inscribed on the back, “British POW.” Prisoners of War often passed the long hours in captivity by painstakingly creating detailed crafts pieces like this. France. Read more
France
ZFC1089 France Battleship Richelieu. This French Ensign comes from the battleship Richelieu, the famous WWII French Battleship that served both the Vichy and Free French governments. On the 24th of September 1942, Richelieu fought Allied naval forces at the Battle of Dakar. In November 1942, when the French forces in Africa joined the Allies, this battleship sailed to New York Navy Yard for refitting. In 1943, this flag was given to Calvin Bullock by Vice Admiral R. Fenard, Chief of the French Naval Mission in the United States. Read more ZFC0514 France Corvette Aconite. This French ensign is from the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous campaign of WWII, fought from 1939 to 1945. In the war against the U-boats, the Free French corvette, Aconite, sank 2 U-boats on the same day, one by ramming! They were the U-444 and U-432, both sunk within hours of each other on the 11th of March 1943, in the North Atlantic. In 1943, this flag was given to Calvin Bullock by Vice Admiral R. Fenard, Chief of the French Naval Mission in the United States. Read more
ZFC7000 Free French Flag. The Free French flag was most commonly displayed by exiled French military forces outside of France. During the Nazi occupation, a patriotic Frenchwoman crocheted this flag at great personal peril in 1944. Parallel with the less successful conventional tactics of the French, urban resistance movements within France were created under the name of “Forces Francaises de l'Intrieur” (French Forces of the Interior) and the “Maquis,” meaning, “The Bush,” a primarily rural resistance. Both of these movements made use of the Free French symbol to differentiate them from the unpopular collaborationist Vichy regime, which continued to use the French Tricolore.
After the liberation of France, the flag was framed and preserved. Subsequently, and perhaps on one of his many trips to Europe, this flag was acquired by Mr. John Tuteur, President of the Paramount Flag Company of San Francisco, CA, who displayed it in his personal office before conveying it to Dr. Whitney Smith, the Director of the Flag Research Center of Winchester, MA. Read more
Canada
ZFC0232 Royal Canadian Navy White Ensign, HMCS Wetaskiwin, "Battle of the Atlantic. This White Ensign, according to Calvin Bullock's documentation was "From His Majesty's Canadian Corvette WETASKIWIN, which for long had been flown in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans." A Flower Class corvette built in Canada, arrived at Halifax on the 13th of April 1941, and was one of the original ships of the Newfoundland Escort Force created to expand the convoy escorts necessary to defend against the U-Boat menace. . During this duty, the Wetaskiwin and the HMCS Skeena were credited with sinking the U-588 on the 31st of July 1942. She then transferred to the Mid-Ocean Escort Force in the Atlantic, where this ensign was presented to Mr. Calvin Bullock. Read more
ZFC3114 Canada, Blue Ensign. This flag was the official Royal Canadian Civil Ensign & Jack during World War II. It was used as a jack by His Majesty's Royal Canadian Navy vessels, like the HMCS Wetaskiwin. A jack is a flag of national character flown by vessels when anchored or when under way while dressing ship. The flag bears the brand name, "Pioneer," on the label; a trade mark of the venerable Jones Tent & Awning Company of Vancouver, British Columbia. Read more ZFC3267 Canada Red Ensign, homemade. Airborne Association – This homemade cotton flag was acquired with an airborne grouping. It is a flag made for a Canadian Soldier serving with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion (CPB). This unit served with the famed British 6th Airborne Division as a part of the 3rd Parachute Brigade. Serving under the British, the Canadians had been wary of disregard for their national identity, especially after they had been prevented from displaying Canadian Flags during the First World War. The 1st CPB was rightfully proud of their reputation. In Europe, they achieved every objective and never had a mission fail. They were the only Canadians who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and advanced further into Germany than any other Canadian unit. Read more
USSR
ZFC0336 Naval ensign of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) introduced the 27th of May 1935, by government decree. It was solemnly raised on ships as the new ensign of the USSR on July 1st, replacing a red and white ensign in use since 1924. During World War II, the Red Navy saw success in coastal defense, , in riverine warfare, and amphibious landings. Small ensigns of this type would have been worn by costal patrol craft, riverine flotillas and on submarines. This ensign, although dominated by socialist symbols, retained themes reminiscent of the colors of the Imperial Russian; the Navy’s St. Andrew ensign. Curiously, this Soviet made ensign was fitted with Englefield Clips, a method of attachment more commonly found in the Royal and Commonwealth Navies; perhaps indicating use on a Lend Lease warship. Read more
Additional Allies
Greece
ZFC1087 Greece State Flag - Government in Exile. The Prime Minister of Greece presented This Greek State and War Flag to Mr. Calvin Bullock during WWII, when the Greeks maintained a government-in-exile. Between 1941 and 1944, the internationally recognized Greek government, nominally headed by King George II, but led by Prime Minister Emmanouil Tsouderos, was headquartered in Cairo Egypt. Commonly called the “Cairo Government”, they maintained diplomatic offices in the United States where they helped the Office of Strategic Services train Greek expatriate soldiers for missions inside Greece. Read more
India
ZFC1085 Royal Indian Navy Jack with Star of India Badge, 1934 to 1947. At the onset of World War II, the RIN was very small, with only eight warships with which to carry out their primary duty; the patrol the Indian Ocean. By the end of the war, its strength would rise to 117 combat vessels and 30,000 personnel, who participated in every theatre. Notably, the Royal Indian Navy sloops Sutlej and Jumna (named after rivers) played a key role in Operation Husky, which was the Allied invasion of Sicily. Owing to the presence of many flags from this time, as well as Calvin Bullock's predilection for collecting flags from significant vessels, it is highly probable that this jack was from one of these two RIN warships. Read more
Australia
ZFC3270 Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Jack and National Flag. At the beginning of World War II the Royal Australian Navy was the most battle ready of the Commonwealth navies. Although modest in size, their navy immediately began operations in defense of Australia and eventually served in all theatres of the War. This yard-made cotton flag would have been used either as a jack for vessels of the RAN or as a courtesy ensign for other vessels in Australian ports. Read more
WWII Artifacts
ZFC3318 Boeing Aircraft Japanese Flag “Aerial Victory Decal”. During WWII, it was customary for pilots to record their aerial victories on their warplanes. Often the national flag or other aircraft symbol of the enemy, these “kill” markings were both a tally and a source pride to the highly competitive pilots. These markings were generally done with paint. However, the Boeing Aircraft Corporation of Seattle, Washington, actually provided decals of a stylized Japanese ensign - there are only eight instead of the usual 16 rays for use in the Pacific Theatre. Read more ZFC3284 General Eisenhower Operation Torch Proclamation. In November of 1942 the Allies took the offensive by opening a Second Front against the Axis with massive amphibious landings in North Africa. President Roosevelt had reassured the French in North Africa that the “allies seek no territory and have no intention of interfering with friendly French Authorities in Africa.” Lieutenant General Dwight Eisenhower also found it necessary to reassure the French with a Proclamation in French and Arabic that that the United States did not intend to conquer their colonies, but to restore their democracy and liberties. The Americans would depart as soon as German and Italian forces were driven out of the area, Eisenhower assured them. (Framed with ZFC3273) Read more
ZFC3273 Operation Torch 48 Star US Flag Armband. This is a 48 star United States flag imprinted on a treated cloth armband issued to US troops for the invasion of North Africa. When the US forces landed in November 1942, they were opposed by troops of the Vichy French regime that controlled Algeria and French Morocco. The flags were issued in the hope that the French military would recognize the Americans as liberators rather than enemies; after a week of fierce fighting most of the French forces in Africa abdicated to the Allied side. Read more ZFC3317 3rd US Army of General George Patton, 70th Infantry Division, Final Periodic Report Poster. Issued in May 1945 under the imprimatur of Acting Chief of Operations, Brigadier General Halley Grey Maddox and showing the organizational disposition of the divisions and corps of 3rd US Army in May of 1945. The 3rd US Army under General Patton did not participate in the D-Day landings, but was the spearhead of the breakout across central Europe, eventually halting in Czechoslovakia and further east than any other American unit. Read more
ZFC3194 Iwo Jima Flag Raising photo, autographed Joe Rosenthal, photographer of the Iwo Jima flag raising. It is inscribed, “Best wishes to Harry Brand from Joe Rosenthal." Harry Brand was director of publicity for the Twentieth Century-Fox Studios. Brand was one of Hollywood's more capable press agents and executives. He influenced many top-level decisions on policies, politics, and union relations. He was a very valuable aide de camp for Joe Schenck and Darryl Zanuck, both pioneers in the US film industry. The photograph was inscribed to Harry Brand on the 18th of February 1983, on the 38th observance of the Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, hosted by the Los Angeles Chapter at the Greater Los Angeles Press Club. Read more
ZFC3426 Hawaiian Territorial Japanese Enumeration Summons issued to Takahashi Shigeyoshi in April 1942. These summonses were issued after Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 on the 19th of February 1942. Commanders were allowed to arbitrarily designate "military areas from which any or all persons may be excluded." On the US mainland, this was a precursor to segregation and internment and the Japanese suffered for it. But in Hawaii, because the Japanese were such a large and vital part of the Hawaiian economy, Japanese-Americans were required to register, but very few interned. Read more ZFC3321 The “United” We Fight poster. Created in 1943 after the 1942 Joint Declarations of the United Nations opposed to the Axis powers. The poster is important because it represents one of the first printed instances of the use of the term, “United Nations,” as a precursor the 1945 formation of the United Nations in San Francisco. The poster features the flags of those countries and governments-in-exile that pledged to support the Allies. The poster was created in 1943 by United States Office of War Information and made by the United States Government Printing Office. Read more
ZFC2380 “To Have and to Hold” War Bonds Poster issued by the US Treasury in 1944. War bond posters were a mainstay on the home front in encouraging the purchase of the debt securities issued for the purpose of financing WWII. In this poster, a helmeted soldier reaches out his arm while extending the American flag. To Have and to Hold is a reference to the novel by Mary Johnson. Twice made into films before the war, it was the story of romance, intrigue and conflict between settlers, Indians and the Spanish in colonial Jamestown, Virginia. Read more
WWII liberation memorabilia
ZFC1950 US Bastogne, “Nuts,” octagonal brass plaque. This plaque was probably a locally produced souvenir from Bastogne, Belgium, depicting General McAluiffe response of "NUTS" to a German demand for surrender in December, 1944, during the German encirclement of the town of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Brass items like this were locally produced from melted-down artillery brass casings, of which there was no shortage in the Ardennes. These were both presented to Bastogne veterans and sold locally after the war. Read more ZFC3310 French Capitulation du Reich plaque. This brass plaque was made immediately after the Capitulation of the 3rd Reich in May of 1945. Reportedly made from castoff shell casings, these plaques are something of a mystery. Identified by the French as La médaille commémorative Américaine, they are one of a half-dozen commemorative medallions made after the Victory in Europe. They are similar to other locally produced commemoratives made in France and Belgium during and after the Liberation. Read more
Axis
Germany – 3rd Reich Early Flags
ZFC1198 German, 3rd Reich, black, white and red (BWR) pennants like this were used from 1933 to 1935. When the BWR tricolor was restored as the national flag and flown concurrently with the Nazi Party flag. This flag was eventually displaced in 1935, when the swastika flag became the sole national flag of the 3rd Reich. Although black, white and red would remain the national colors until 1945, pennants like this example made in Hamburg were only decorative, but made ideal GI-bring-backs for returning American servicemen. Read more ZFC1350 German, 3rd Reich, black, white and red (BWR) flag. This model was restored as the German flag from 1933 to 1935. This early example was defaced with an upright swastika, probably right after the Nazi party discontinued the use of the plain German tricolor. This small flag was returned to the United States by an American GI and donated to the US Army Ranger museum of New York City. Read more
ZFC1321 This is a 3rd Reich Tri-Color pennant with a Reichsadler (3rd Reich Eagle) stamped on the center stripe. The angled wings of the eagle are like those of the eagle on wehrmacht (armed forces) uniforms. This pennant was likely altered for unofficial military decorative purposes. It was acquired by an American serviceman and provided to the US Army Ranger Museum. Small flags like this were highly prized as war souvenirs. Read more ZFC0291 Germany, National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) Banner from the early formative years from 1923 to1929. Manufactured to be visible while hanging on a wall, the upright swastika on this banner occurs on one side. The early swastika symbols used by the Nazis were not tilted until 1929; the upright version was called "immobile" while "mobile" was used to describe the tilted variant. Adolf Hitler, the Fuehrer (leader) of the NSDAP and later the Reich, preferred the tilted versions, deciding that it gave the impression of energy and progress, signifying the strength and power of the NSDAP. This banner was brought to the US as war booty. Read more
Germany – 3rd Reich National Flags & Banners
ZFC0964 Germany State Flag and Ensign. Germany under the 3rd Reich used a Reichsdienstflagge (State flag and Civil Ensign) from 1935 to 1945 for government authorities and German state and provincial flags. This symbolized the authority of the party and the national government in coordinating the internal political subdivisions of the 3rd Reich with the national government. Accordingly, on land, this flag was flown over non-military, government institutions. At sea, it was used as an ensign by all government vessels that were not commissioned as warships. Read more ZFC1128 Germany WWII Pilot Flag. This German, 3rd Reich, Lotsenflaggen or Pilot Flag was adopted in 1935 and utilized until 1945. The flag continued the tradition of using a merchant flag with white ‘picture frame” border as a special signal, which was flown by a vessel requiring or carrying a nautical pilot. Read more
ZFC0950 Germany 3RD Reich National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) Party Banner, 1933to 1945. When the swastika flag was adopted on the 11th of March 1933, as co-national flag, immediately after the March 1933 elections, new flags were created, including the Swastika Flag (Hakenkreuzfahne), which was used until 1945. However, its use and its incorporation into other flags and ensigns were modified after the elections of late 1935. Those used between 1933 and 1935 often had a smaller disc centered on the red field. After 1935, an off-centered disc was introduced for use at sea. Elongated banners with the swastika were commonplace after 1935, and banners such as this were ubiquitous throughout the 3rd Reich. Read more ZFC1308 Germany, 3rd Reich, National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) Party flag, 1933-1935. This flag was the sole German national flag from 15 September, 1935 to the collapse of the 3rd Reich in 1945. In Germany during this period, wide use was made of flags for political propaganda. The swastika became the omnipresent symbol of this brutal regime and flag usage permeated every facet of public life. Flags were plentiful and in a vanquished Germany, returning GIs brought back plain Nazi flags like this example. Flags like this were so plentiful that essentially, every American GI who wanted one could have gotten one. The single remaining tassel on this flag may have indicated some level of official use. Read more
Germany - 3rd Reich Sub-National Flags & Organizations
ZFC1341 Germany, 3rd Reich, the Reichsluftschutzbund, (RLB) or “National Air Raid Protection League,” Flag. The RLB was founded on the 29th of April, 1933, on the order Air Minister and Oberbefehlshaber (Supreme Commander) of the German Luftwaffe (Air Force), Hermann Goring. It was originally a volunteer, uniformed, paramilitary civil defense organization, but during the war, membership became compulsory for almost all Germans. They were reactive in response to aerial attacks. Flags like this were apparently used after 1942, when Reichsluftschutzbund were formally taken over by the Luftwaffe. This is most likely a G.I. bring back eventually donated to the US Army Ranger Museum in New York City. Read more
ZFC1125 Germany, 3rd Reich, Deutscher Reichsbund für Leibesübungen (DRL), 1934 to 1938, Nationalsozialistischer Reichsbund für Leibesübungen (NSRL), 1938 to 1945, or “National Socialist League of the Reich for Physical Exercise,” the Reich’s Sports Office, was the umbrella organization for sport in Nazi Germany. At the height of their power they organized the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where they subsumed German sportsmanship within racist Nazi ‘Aryan’ ideals. After the war began, there were fewer and fewer athletic competitions as athletes were called to military service, and the significance of the Reich’s Sports Office diminished. Read more ZFC1307 Germany, 3rd Reich, Deutsche Arbeitsfront, (DAF) or German Labor Front was, from 1933 to 1939, the organizations that replaced all German trade unions after Hitler came to power. The DAF existed as a facilitator so that both the interests of workers and employers could be mutually represented. The DAF was founded ".... for the good of the fatherland.” Ideology and duty supplanted wage negotiations, strikes, and labor rights. The DAF were disbanded after the commencement of the Second World War. This flag is attributed via inscriptions “From Gene Hurley, Germany, 1945” and is assumed to be war booty. Read more
Germany - 3rd Reich War Flags & Ensigns
ZFC0933 Germany, 3rd Reich, Reichskriegsflagge, (Reich War Flags), 1938-1945. These flags were important symbols throughout the German military establishment. These were designed to carry on the traditional functions of the Imperial War Flag of the German Empire. As war flags, they were used as interment flags for fallen German Wehrmacht. Like all Nazi symbols, these flags were banned during the “denazification” of Germany. Read more ZFC1331 3rd Reich Naval Ensign, 1938-1945. In the Second World War, the principal and most effective German war machine in the Battle of the Atlantic, which lasted for the entire war, was the U-Boat. The German Kriegsmarine (War Navy) had the largest submarine fleet in World War II, which they put to devastating use against Allied shipping in the Atlantic. Early in the war, U-Boat victories against Allied shipping were so effective that in January 1943, the Allies prioritized the defeat of German U-Boats as the number one priority. Resources shipped from the United States and Britain’s far-flung colonies were so critical to British survival that Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Britain, once remarked, "The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-boat peril" This small 3rd Reich ensign of the type used from 1938 to 1945 is archetypal of the ensigns displayed by German U-Boats when they were surfaced and unwary of detection. Read more
ZFC0908 Germany, 3rd Reich, Reichskriegsflagge, (Reich War Flag), 1938-1945. This flag was noticeably inspired by the old Imperial War Flag (see ZFC1127), but executed in the black, white and red colors of the 3rd Reich. This flag was flown daily at all Wehrmacht installations. They were used by the Heer (Army) at headquarters buildings smaller versions and replaced unit colors after the 1944 assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler. These were highly sought after by American GI as war booty (see ZFC ZFC1074). Read more ZFC0975 3rd Reich Naval Ensign 1938-1945. Keeping the fleet of U-Boats supplied with food, fuel and weapons was a high priority for the 3rd Reich. This task fell largely to the Krieg marine’s submarine tenders, which either met with the submarines at sea to replenish them, or provided these services while docked at a port in the vicinity of submarines operations. Germany maintained some tenders harbored at neutral ports for this very purpose. During WWII U-Boats sank over 2,900 Allied ships carrying over 14 million tons of food and material critical to allied war efforts. This large ensign is typical of those displayed on Krieg marine submarine tenders. Read more
Germany - 3rd Reich Military Vehicle Identification Banners
ZFC1336 Germany, 3rd Reich, Military Vehicle Panel Marker, field expedient, 1939 – 1945. During WWII, the speed that mechanized forces of the 3rd Reich moved created constantly changing front lines and forward areas and the incorporation of close air support and aerial resupply necessitated the use of these vehicle marking panels to identify themselves to Luftwaffe warplanes. This single-sided banner with corner grommets is a theatre made, field expedient, vehicle banner, likely made from a German national flag, later taken by an American GI and donated the US Army Ranger Museum of New York City. Read more ZFC3181 German, 3rd Reich Military Vehicle Panel, Balkenkreuz, 1944-1945. This vehicle identification banner is a variant that displayed a black coitised cross, or Balkenkreuz, a cross of (timber) beams, (of no relationship to the Balkans). This insignia was the Luftwaffe’s aircraft marking, easily recognizable from a distance in preventing an accidental aerial attack by friendly forces. Read more
Germany - 3rd Reich Schutzstaffel Flags & Banners
ZFC0932 Germany, 3rd Reich, Schutzstaffel, or “Protective Echelon” (SS) ‘House Flag’. This example is finished as a wall banner, on one side only. Ceremonial banner flags with double lightning bolt insignias of the Nazi SS were used as a general purpose "House Flag," indicating an SS installation or office. They were also widely used at SS events. Read more ZFC0917 Germany, 3rd Reich Schutzstaffel “Protective Echelon“ (SS) Befehlshaber, or “Territorial Commander,” automobile flag. Flags like this were used between 1942 and 1945 to identify a vehicle bearing a general officer of the Waffen SS. Read more ZFC0931 Germany, 3rd Reich SS Automobile Flag Cover. Parked cloth canvas covers like this were used to protect the automobile flags of high-ranking officers when not in use. Read more
Germany - 3rd Reich Artifacts
ZFC0963 Germany, 3rd Reich, NSDAP Armband, inscribed with 8 US GI Names. The ubiquitous red Nazi Party armbands were popular among U.S. soldiers as souvenir items. Brought home as war booty, they served as a memento of service. The soldiers who presumably captured its owner sign this specimen. Autographed in the left side “P.F.C. Gardin; P.F.C. Wm. Hebebrand; P.F.C. Berenebaum and PFC Prwett;” and on the right side: “Pfc W. Begeman; S/Sgt Aasen; Sgt. Clark and PFC Minnich.” Read more ZFC1320 Germany, 3rd Reich, Hitler Youth Armband. The Hitler Youth was created as the youth organization of the National Socialist German Workers Party, (NSDAP). Founded in 1926, they were originally a part of the Sturmabteilung (SA), the infamous “Brown Shirts.” When the NSDAP came to power in 1933, they incorporated all youth organizations in Germany with the exception of those of the Roman Catholic Church. After 1936, membership was obligatory for all German youth, who would have worn armbands like this. Read more
ZFC1330 Germany, 3rd Reich, Deutscher Volkssturm Wehrmacht “Literally the People’s Storm,” or, more figuratively, “People’s Army,” 1944 to 1945 armband. They were recruited in the last part of WWII and reflected the dire straits of the 3rd Reich. It was composed of conscripted men between 16 and 60 years of age, not already in service on some kind. Although placed under the Wehrmacht, the Nazi Party organized them. An armband like this was the only Volksturm uniform item. Read more
ZFC3413 Germany, 3rd Reich, H. Vpfl. (Heeres Verpflegung), “Army Food Supply” burlap sack. So pervasive was the use of the national eagle in the 3rd Reich, that they were used on everything from the resplendent to the mundane, including burlap sacks. This example, dated 1939, is marked “H. Vpfl.” Is from early in the war. Although created for food supply, in practice, these were actually used to hold almost anything. Read more ZFC0949 Germany, 3rd Reich, Military Hazard Safety Marker Flag. These were usually suspended from an “L” shaped wire holder, (see ZFC1008 for a complete kit). These small yellow flags are often mistaken for larger white flags and signs, which were used to mark minefields. These smaller yellow flags were used to mark safe passages and corridors through a hazardous area. Hazards could include mines; gas contaminated areas or unexploded ordnance. Read more
ZFC3450 Germany, Memorial Card for Xavier Goldbrunner. Xavier Goldbrunner, a young Grenadier, from Oberhausen, aged 19 years 9 months. He fell on the Eastern Front, the 29th of December 1942, in the fierce fighting at Voronezh a city in southwestern Russia. Read more
Japan - National Flags
ZFC1502 Japan – Hinomaru, “Disk of the Sun”, national flag. This large cotton Japanese flag is characteristic of flags made in Japan with the traditional leather reinforcing patches. From antiquity, the red Sun Disc, or Hinomaru, represents Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, a deity with a special place in Japanese culture. A returning GI likely brought this WWII flag back. Read more ZFC0822 Japan – Hinomaru, “Disk of the Sun”, national flag. In Japan, from 1938 to 1945, wide use was made of flags for propaganda and morale. The flag was a ubiquitous symbol the Japanese Empire and flags domineered every facet of public and military life. Paper or cardboard reinforcements signify that this flag was made late in the war when shortages curtailed the use of the traditional leather reinforcing corner patches. Read more
Japan - War Flags
ZFC0506 Imperial Japanese War Flag – 1870 to 1945. The War Flag of Imperial Japan has its origins in the Hinomaru, “Disk of the Sun”, national flag, but adds 16 rays to the sun disc extending them off the flag. This is a graphic representation of Nippon, symbolic of Japan, “Land of the Sun.” The war flag was used by the Imperial Japanese Army, becoming the basis, with a purple fringe, for Japanese regimental flags. Read more ZFC1304 Imperial Japanese War Flag – 1870 to 1945. This is a small silk Imperial Japanese War Flag. Its silk material and overall construction are consistent with flags made in Japan prior to, and during WWII period. Small flags like this were popular with soldiers as “Good Luck Flags,” and equally well-liked as souvenirs with American GIs returning from the Pacific and occupation duty in Japan. Read more
ZFC1305 Imperial Japanese War Flag – 1870 to 1945. Small silk flags like this were sometimes used as Hinomaru Yosegaki, or, a “Good Luck Flag.” Often purchased by relatives and friends, they were generally kept on an imperial soldier’s person. Read more ZFC3017 Imperial Japanese War Flag – 1870 to 1945. Large fringed, silk Imperial Japanese War Flags are uncommon. Probably never carried into combat, flags like this were restricted, but not banned in occupied Japan, where such examples as these were keenly sought by American GIs. Read more
Japan - Imperial Japanese Naval Ensigns and Flags
ZFC0979 Imperial Japanese Naval Ensign. Adopted in 1889; its origins in the Imperial War flag adopted in 1870. Like the war flag, the ensign added 16 rays to the Hinomaru, or “Disk of the Sun”, national flag, but offset the disc towards the hoist. This is a graphic representation of Nippon; that Japan is literally the “Land of the Sun.” This ensign was used until 1945, when the Imperial Japanese Navy was outlawed. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force resurrected the design in 1954. Read more
ZFC3367 Imperial Japanese Naval Commission Pennant. Traditionally, masthead pennants were flown from a nation's warship. Such pennants were used by the armed ships of sovereign states to distinguish warships from other vessels. The Japanese masthead pendant, in its present form, was adopted in 1914; it was abolished following the Japanese surrender of the 14th of August 1945 and reinstated in 1956. It is interesting to note that the Japanese masthead pennant utilizes an 8-rayed sun used on naval rank flags, rather than the 16-rayed sun found on the ensign. Read more ZFC3142 Imperial Japanese Navy Vice Admiral Flag, 1889 to 1945. The Imperial Japanese Navy (INJ) adopted new rank flags for the grade of admiral in 1889. They were based on the Imperial War Flag, but differed in that there were only eight rays emanating from the red sun disc. An admiral flew the flag undefeated; a vice admiral’s flag, as in this example, added a single red stripe on the top edge. The INJ only elevated 45 officers to the grade of vice admiral (14 of them posthumously). Given the almost total destruction of the INJ during the war, few admirals’ flags have survived. Read more
ZFC0951 Imperial Japanese Navy Rear Admiral Flag, 1889 to 1945. The Imperial Japanese Navy (INJ) promoted 53 officers (14 of them posthumously) to the grade of rear admiral, the most junior admiral in the INJ. The rear admiral’s flag was similar to an admiral’s of superior rank, except that it displayed a red stripe at both the top and bottom edges of the flag. Because of their relative scarcity, American sailors prized flags like this as they boarded surrendered INJ ships. Read more ZFC1333 Japanese National Flag on telescoping bamboo pole. Flags like this example have been identified by returning American GIs as Aviator Float Flags to be used by downed Japanese Army & Navy pilots. This flag was acquired as a GI bring back. Read more
JAPAN - Soldier (Hinomaru Yosegaki) "Good Luck" Flags & (Shussei nobori) "Send-off Banners"
ZFC0578 Japanese Soldier (Hinomaru Yosegaki) Good Luck Flag, Canadian Soldier Bring back. Japanese national flags with kanji characters surrounding the red sun disc. These flags were ubiquitous among Japanese servicemen, and prized as a souvenir by all Allied personnel. This flag was acquired from Canada. Although Canada's role in the Pacific and Far East is not well known, a few Canadian troops served in Burma & Malaya. But their largest contribution were the troops sent to the Aleutian Islands to retake the islands of Kiska and Attu from the Japanese, and it is likely that this flag originates from that campaign. Read more ZFC1362 Japanese Soldier (Hinomaru Yosegaki) Good Luck Flag. This is sewn cotton with a kanji inscription, though minimal, and is typical of the many “Good Luck Flags” brought back from the Pacific Theater by returning GIs. This example was formerly on display at the US Army Ranger Museum in New York City. Read more
ZFC1355 Japanese Soldier (Hinomaru Yosegaki) “Good Luck Flag”. According to attribution, this flag was carried by a Japanese pilot. After the war, this flag was donated to the US Army Ranger Museum of New York City; who incorrectly identified it as a Hokobukuro (Service Records Bag). The kanji inscription indicates that this “Good Luck Flag” was presented to a general officer. Read more ZFC2404 Japanese Sailor (Hinomaru Yosegaki) “Good Luck Flag,” from Manila, 1945. This Good Luck Flag was inscribed to an Osaka sailor form his family and friends, including the mayor of Osaka. It was recovered from a ruined factory in Manila along with the sailor’s identity tag (see ZFC24050). The Manila Naval Defense Forces, an expedient organization of Japanese sailors, marines and soldiers, strove to prevent the American recapture. In the fierce fighting, Manila was almost entirely destroyed. Read more
ZFC3074 Japanese Soldier (Hinomaru Yosegaki) Good Luck Flag, with inscriptions, shrine seals, stamps, and messages. This Good Luck Flag is in excellent condition. Acquired directly from Japan, it is likely a hinomaru yosegaki from one of the estimated 1,000,000 soldiers in the Japanese Home Islands in 1945. Read more ZFC0920 Japanese Shussei nobori “Send-off Banners.” As a part of Japan’s Imperial expansion at the beginnings of the 20th century, the militarists sought to utilize bushido, or “The Way of the Warrior,” in order to instill the austere traditions of the Samurai, or the military nobility of feudal Japan, into the modern Japanese armed forces. When a young men left for service, a “send-off” celebration was held where banners like this early war example were paraded. Read more ZFC0924 Japanese Gaisen” Triumphant Return”. Imperial Japan’s martial culture traditionally made a ceremonial event of the return of a young man from military or naval service. Often, community organizations prepared a “Triumphant Return” of participants to escort the soldier or sailor from the railway station or port, displaying large banners inscribed with the new veterans names, such as this wartime example. Read more
Japan - Imperial Japanese Artifacts
ZFC2405 Japan Imperial Navy Sailor’s Wooden ID tag. This wooden dog tag belonged to a Japanese sailor who died in the Japanese defense of Manila in 1945. Metal was so scarce in wartime Japan that by 1945, conscripts were being issued ID tags made of wood. This was recovered from the body of a Japanese sailor and was found with a flag (see ZFC2404) inscribed to him by the mayor and a councilman from Osaka. It was recovered from the top floor of a heavily damaged factory. Read more ZFC3205 Imperial Japanese Navy - Petty Officer's Cap. These soft cloth caps were introduced in 1937 as an alternative to traditional naval headgear. They were identical for all ranks; officer and enlisted alike and differing only in the quality of materials used in their manufacture. The various ranks were diffentiated by white bands around the bottom of the cap: two stripes for officers, a single stripe, as in this example, for non-commissioned or petty officers and a plain one for the enlisted men. These were originally intended for shore use by the Tokubetsu Rikusentai, or “Special Naval Landing Force,” often erroneously referred to as Japanese Marines. During the war there, use spread throughout the fleet. The device on the front; a golden yellow anchor, was the same for all ranks. Soft cloth caps like this were a popular US sailor bring back. Read more
ZFC1334 Imperial Japanese Army Field Cap. Introduced in 1938 these soft cloth caps replaced the flat-topped peaked cap. The cloth field cap sometimes had a short leather brim but more commonly had one of stiffened cloth, like this example. They were originally issued in khaki, but later they were issued in various shades of green ranging from grey-green to a dark green. The insignia for all ranks was a single, golden yellow, five point star. Originally issued to Japanese troops in China, by the end of WWII they were widely worn in all theatres and by all ranks. Such caps were a desired GI bring back. Read more ZFC1322 The Japanese Senninbari, or “Thousand Stitch Belt”. A strip of white cloth embroidered with 1000 stitches, each hand made. They were used as tokens and presented to Japanese servicemen about to depart for the front. The senninbari were usually worn as a sash under the uniform. Senninbari originated in the 1890s during the First Sino-Japanese War. Each stitch was a wish for good fortune, believed instills courage and protection from harm. They were made by a serviceman's mother, wife or sisters, who would then solicit additional stitches from female worshipers at a Shinto temple. Read more
ZFC0957 Japanese Aviator Scarf or Hachimaki or “Headband”. This imprinted silk could be used as either a scarf or folded and used as a headband. The flags on either end are the national flag and the war flag. The headband was traditional Japanese headgear worn as a symbol of perseverance of effort by the wearer. Scarves were widely worn by aviators for both practical and symbolic reasons. Read more ZFC3206 Japanese Imonbukuro, Soldier Comfort Bag. These small bags were ubiquitous throughout the Japanese armed forces. The “comfort bag” was the WWII Japanese equivalent of a “Care Package.” They were used to send small tokens to military personnel – tobacco, razors, postal cards, tins of food – in short, anything that could boost morale and make the life of the serviceman more tolerable. These could be found on all fronts and many GIs used them to bring their own souvenirs home. Read more
Japanese Occupied
ZFC2194 Second Philippine Republic (1943 to 1945) National Flag. This Philippines flag is of a pattern that differs from the version introduced by the Philippine Commonwealth in 1936. This flag is believed to be a variant made in and used by the Second Philippine Republic, 1943 to 1945, the Philippine government that collaborated with the occupying Japanese. It was acquired with a Japanese flag, which dated to the period of Japanese Occupation. Read more
Italy
ZFC0892 Kingdom of Italy, national, civil and state flag, (1848, Sardinia) 1861-1946. The red, white and green tricolor of the Kingdom of Italy has its origins in the red, white and green regimental flags issued to Italian troops fighting with Napoleon. In 1848, the Kingdom of Sardinia adopted the tricolor. In 1861, the arms of the House of Savoy were added to the flag and it became the flag of the Kingdom of Italy. During WWII, Mussolini’s Italians were on the side of the Axis and this flag served as the national, civil and state flag of Italy. With a crown above the arms, it served as the naval ensign and war flag. This WWII era flag is typical of flags at the end of the Kingdom of Italy, while a post-fascist republic would be declared in 1946. Read more ZFC2423 Kingdom of Italy, national, civil and state parade flag, (1848 Sardinia) 1861-1946. Small inexpensive flags like this were commonly distributed for parades and rallies in the later stages of the fascist Kingdom of Italy. This is likely a GI Bring-back from WWII era Italy. Read more
ZFC3149 Italian Socialist Republic Flag, War Flag, 1943-1944. The Italian Social Republic (Repubblica Sociale Italiana) was a client state of Nazi Germany created on September the 23rd, 1943 by Mussolini. At this turning point in the war, Mussolini had already ceded most Italian territory to the Allied advance. However, a portion of Northern Italy at this juncture was still under the control of German forces; although the exact area was in constant flux due to the conditions of war. This state was sometimes known as the “Republic of Sal” due to the fact that the Ministry of the Interior was based in the town of Sal. The lifespan of Mussolini's Italian Social Republic was roughly one year, as in the opening months of 1945, Allied troops overwhelmed the North of Italy and Mussolini was shot at the end of April in the same year. This is a war-flag of the Repubblica Sociale Italiana; the civil or national flag, which was actually the same as that of the present day Italian Republic, but hardly used in comparison with this war-flag which was predominantly flown. Read more ZFC3126 Italy, WWII, Anti-Fascist Partisan Armband,1943 to 1945. The anti-fascist movement was originally comprised of independent groups drawn from the members of political parties outlawed by the Fascist regime. Often led by officers loyal to the monarchy, the partisans often took inspiration from the wishes of King Victor Emmanuel III or the Allies. This is a field expedient made from a piece of red white and green ribbon with a simple rubber stamped impression of the partisan seal bearing an inscription around a fiver point star, later a symbol of the Italian Republic. Read more