Nazi flag with a swastika in white circle captured by US soldiers and later signed by battalion
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 31.750 inches (80.645 cm) | Width: 54.750 inches (139.065 cm)
Archival History
The Nazi flag was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2007 by David and Nancy Secrist.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of David and Nancy Secrist
Scope and Content
Nazi flag captured by soldiers of the 601st Tank Destroyer Battalion, United States Army, in Nuremberg, Germany, in April 1945. There are signatures, addresses, and short phrases handwritten on the reverse of the flag by several members of the battalion and other units present at the capture. This flag belonged Melvin Mouw (1924-1995) and his signature is on the flag. The battalion fought in many campaigns before crossing the Rhine River into Germany in March 1945 and participating in the capture of Nuremberg.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rectangular, red cloth flag with a white, cloth circle with a black swastika printed in the center machine sewn onto both sides of the flag. The circle on the reverse side has signatures and inscriptions in English handwritten in ink and marker. The short ends are hemmed and the hoist side extends beyond the body of the flag with a loop on each end to attach to a pole.
Corporate Bodies
- Nazi Party
Subjects
- Soldiers--United States.
- World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Western Front.
Genre
- Object
- Identifying Artifacts
- Emblems.