Original German WWII 1st Division Co. D, 26th Infantry Regiment USGI Captured & Signed NSDAP Double Sided Political Banner Flag - 17 Signatures Total - 14½ x 22½”

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice WWII German National Banner Flag, which measures a very displayable 14 1/2 inches wide by 22 1/2 inches long, perfect for framing in double-sided glass. These were used inside buildings, usually hung vertically as a banner. It is of all cotton construction, and is double sided with a single piece cotton white circles with printed black Swasses (Hook Crosses) sewn onto both sides.

Condition is very good, but does show wear from use in service and possibly afterwards, with some light staining and holes, which look to be on the corners when it was folded up during long storage. There is heavy verdigris to the metal fittings with leather reinforcements behind them. Interestingly, there is a header but it’s opposite the grommets and has been sewn shut. The colors are still well-retained, with heavy age toning to the white circles, and a well-worn red field.

The most notable aspect of this flag are the signatures on both sides of the white circle, with 17 names and addresses total. Research on two men, Harold N Distler and Francis Dalpiaz, both of Pennsylvania, show that they served in Company D, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, the “Big Red One”. In World War II, the 26th Infantry led America's first-ever amphibious assault in North Africa, fought at the Kasserine Pass, assaulted Sicily at the Amphibious Battle of Gela, invaded Normandy at Omaha Beach, conquered the first German city of the war at Aachen, held the line against heavy German attacks at Elsenborn Ridge during The Battle of the Bulge, vaulted the Rhine and attacked all the way to Czechoslovakia by war's end. The regiment, commanded by Colonel John F. R. Seitz, conducted three amphibious assaults, and earned seven battle streamers, a Presidential Unit Citation, and five foreign awards.

The rest of the names are absolutely researchable, and should make for an exciting research project!

An outstanding flag captured by the Big Red One, ready for framing and display!