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Unidentified Flags or Ensigns

Flags submitted in 2002

Below is a series of images of flags that have been provided to FOTW, but which we have been unable to recognise. If you can identify any of these flags, please let us know! Contact the director. See also our page of Identified Flags to see flags we have figured out through this page.

German flag in swastika design

by Tom Gregg

I recently received a WWII flag from a US serviceman who obtained it while fighting in the Battle of the Bulge (in Patton's 3rd army). It's approx. 5'x7', a thin cotton, and the black cross is printed on white cloth. One side of the flag has an eyelet on each corner. The pattern is on one side only. I have had no success in finding any likenesses on the web or in books. Would you have any idea as to the history and use of this design?
Grant Olson

I'm dubious as to it's WW II origins, but perhaps it was some kind of unofficial unit flag.
Tom Gregg, 16 June 2001

My father was a B-17 pilot for the 351st Bomb Group out of Polebrook, England. He was shot down on 22 June, 1944, over Rouen, France and became a POW at Stalag Luft III. As the allied forces advanced, they were marched to Mooseberg. In April, they were liberated by Patton's 3rd army. During this time in Germany, he obtained a flag, that I have not been able to identify. It is approx. 3'x6' with a white circle with a black cross in the middle. The cross is similar to the marking found on Me109 and Fw190 German fighters.
Rob, 7 December 2002

This flag was again reported in 2003, on sale on eBay. A comment was received: To me this flag looks like it is based on the icon representing Nazi Germany in the computer war game Panzer General II, which is basically the Iron Cross in black and white set against a red background (this is used instead of the Swastika flag which would probably make the game illegal to sell in Germany). Admittedly, the Iron Cross in the flag reported is a bit different and set on a white disk, but nevertheless, there is some similarity.
Jan Oskar Engene, 27 March 2003

One of my wife's colleagues brought this flag to work, thinking it was a Danish flag. I know it's a flag from the Third Reich, and that it was used on military vehicles and must come from the iron cross. Was this something that was scrapped when they adapted to new regulations in 1935? I was not able to find it anywhere on your web page, and was wondering if you had more information about it. The flag seems to be handmade, and my guess is that it's probably a souvenir brought back by an American soldier. (it was found after they cleaned out a house).
Geir Stenshagen, 20 August 2004

Three axes flag at World Cup

During the World Cup final (2002: Brazil vs.Germany), around the 50th minute was seen on TV a white flag with three red axes. It looked more German than Brazilian. Is anyone to identify it?
Ivan Sache, 1 July 2002

The website at http://www.mindspring.com/~debard/bardeleben.htm shows a three-axes flag that might give a lead.

Ewald Mertins, 28 August 2002

Not sure it does; it's a reference to his family arms, and the axes there are black. What we saw was white with three red axes. Do any of the towns mentioned on the page have arms/flag like that?

Al Kirsch, 29 August 2002