Original Items: Only One Lot of 2 Available. This is a wonderful opportunity to add two iconic flags to your WWII American and German collections.

The flags included in this lot:
WWII American Red Cross/Medics Flag: This is a very nice example of a U.S. Issue Medic "Red Cross" flag. The flag is constructed of a canvas type and measures approximately 73” x 46 ½” , with a large "Red Cross" in the center. It is a multi-piece construction, made from two large pieces of white canvas, and the central red cross, with grommets on the flags header. There are no markings that we can find. There are stains throughout but this is still a lovely flag.

The red cross emblem came into existence more than 150 years ago when the Geneva Conventions adopted it to protect medical personnel assisting the wounded on the battlefield. Soon after, the emblem was also adopted to identify the humanitarian services of Red Cross societies around the world.

Today, it is one of the most recognized symbols in the world for a very important reason.

During armed conflict, the red cross emblem means “don’t shoot,” that this person, vehicle, building or equipment is not part of the fight but is providing impartial assistance. The emblem provides protection for military medical units, transportation of the wounded, and for the Red Cross's humanitarian aid. The global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement—including the American Red Cross—utilizes the emblem to signify our promise of voluntary, neutral and impartial assistance to all people in need, regardless of race, religion or citizenship status.

Countries around the world protect the red cross emblem and limit its use to official Red Cross organizations and programs, as well as the medical services of their armed forces. In the United States, only the American Red Cross and the medical corps of the Armed Forces are permitted by law to use the red cross emblem. Some U.S. companies were granted an exception that were already using the emblem before 1906. Use of the red cross emblem by anyone else is not only prohibited, but also unlawful in the United States and around the world.

- WWII NSDAP National Flag Political Banner: This is a very good condition WWII German National Banner, which measures a very displayable 70” x 28”. These were used inside buildings, or possibly on podiums during speeches. It is of all cotton construction, and is double sided with a single piece cotton white circles with black Swasen (Hook Crosses or Swass) dyed onto both sides. Condition is very good, with some small tears and stains. The colors are very well retained, with minimal age toning to the white circles, and a vibrant red field. No maker markings. The pole slot side is completely torn, a strong indication that this was forcibly removed from where it was hanging, probably by an American soldier and brought home after the war.

The flag of NSDAP Germany, officially the flag of the German Reich, featured a red background with a black swas on a white disc. This flag came into use initially as the banner of the NSDAP after its foundation. Following the appointment of Adolf H as Chancellor in 1933, this flag was adopted as one of the nation's dual national flags, the other being the black-white-red horizontal tricolor of the German Empire.

This dual flag arrangement ended on 15 September 1935, one year after the death of Reich President Paul von Hindenburg, and the NSDAP flag became the only national flag of Germany. One reason for the change may have been the "Bremen incident" of 26 July 1935, in which a group of demonstrators in New York City boarded the ocean liner SS Bremen, tore the NSDAP flag from the jackstaff, and tossed it into the Hudson River. When the German ambassador protested, US officials responded that the German national flag had not been harmed, only a political party symbol. The new flag law was announced at the annual party rally in Nuremberg in 1935, where Hermann Göring claimed the old black-white-red flag, while honored, was the symbol of a bygone era and under threat of being used by "reactionaries".

Both flags come more than ready to display!