Product Details
A LARGE GERMAN N.S.D.A.P. BANNER TOGETHER WITH AN ARMBAND,
the first possibly for a podium or building, rectangular, the red material with printed one-sided central black swastika on an applied white circle, measuring approximately 60in. wide by 144in. long, colours bright but some small moth holes and isolated staining, working repair to one corner; the armband of typical form, three piece construction with the folded swastika applied to a white circle applied to a red felt band and retaining its original 'RZM' paper label
Other Notes: A note accompanies this lot which states that the Banner was captured in 1944 during an engagement in Antwerp. The story reads:
"During the fighting about Antwerp in the autumn of 1944 a number of small forts were used by the Germans to defend the city. On the day that Antwerp fell, one of these Forts was the scene of a minor engagement which resulted in the capture of a Nazi banner. A number of Military Police and a few sappers from Div. HQ. had found that a small Fort on the outskirts of the city was still in enemy hands and thus they decided to drive the enemy out. However, the entrance to the Fort was blocked by a strong timber gate and as the attackers only had small arms the fight soon became a stalemate. The sapper NCO was about to leave in search of some explosive when the Senior Chaplain (Rev Prebendary L.J. Blashford-Snell) and the ADMS to the Division arrived in a jeep. There was very little activity in the Fort and it was thought that the enemy must be running out of ammunition. Thus, this truly all arms force decided upon a novel method of attack. The plan was that the RMP should give covering fire while the sappers, the Padre and the Doctor charged the gate with the jeep. The jeep was then lined up for the assault and as the RMP fired a volley of pistol shots at the Fort, this 'battering ram' was sent hurtling at the gate. With a great crash the timbers flew apart and the battered vehicle shot through into a small courtyard. The defenders were taken by surprise and only a few put up a fight. As the attackers pursued the enemy through the buildings, the Padre, who only ever thought of the men's welfare, decided to locate the Officer's Mess and capture the rations. As he entered the dining room of the Mess he saw a German soldier hurriedly wrapping the Mess silver in a huge Nazi banner. By sheer chance the Padre found himself to be carrying a tyre lever with which he was able to persuade the German to surrender. There was very little food left in the Mess but apparently a good wine cellar still existed and the stocks were soon depleted by the victors."
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Estimate £500-700