SS-Lagerfahne and RDF

[paulj]

I recently was fortunate enough to acquire these two flags from a WA member. At first I was only interested in the SS-Lagerfahne. After arranging the deal I took a closer look at the two capture papers and seeing that they were both issued on the same date of May 20, 1945 and because the flags were essentially the same size, I began to wonder if they actually belonged together.

I did some sleuthing based on a recollection of seeing a photo of both flags flown together and managed to find some interesting photos from Neuengamme concentration camp near Hamburg. They show a similar pair of flags in situ. Another photo shows use of the RDF at Plaszow with a SS flag in the background. As a result, I boughtt the RDF as well.

The capture papers' issuing unit was the 75th Infantry Division. They saw a bit of action including the Battle of the Bulge, entered Germany's Ruhr industrial area and wound up near Dortmund. In some of the battle accounts I found mention of elements of the 75th, namely the 290th Infantry Regiment, liberating "slave labor camps" and heavy fighting at a "Gestapo headquarters" in Annen. As an industrial area there were numerous SS camps for foreign laborers (sub-camps of major concentration camps) as well as the usual police and Gestapo facilities.

Unfortunately, the vendor acquired the flags from the son of a barber who had, according to the story, taken the flags in trade for haircuts after the war.

I'm trying to get more information about the GI to at least place him in a particular unit. In any case, it's quite possible that he took both flags at the same time in the same place. Whether they came from a camp or other SS building will probably never be established but I believe there is a good chance they belong together.

[paulj]

Neuengamme

[paulj]

Plaszow

[squidney86]

Paul,
Great flags. I remember when they were originally shown. The possibility that they might have flown together is exciting and great research to track down the possibilities on where they might have come from. Thanks for showing the period photos as well.
Sydney

[castle]

great flags. ss flags are rare ..thanks for showing period pictures. very historical

[Br. James]

A fine set of banners, and the capture papers' date -- May 20, 1945 -- is interesting. If these banners were taken in the area of Hamburg, three days before Grand Admiral Dönitz and the surviving acting ministers of the Third Reich Government in Flensburg -- just north of Hamburg -- were arrested and taken prisoner by the Allies, one wonders whether these banners might have been part of the last remnants of the government which succeeded Hitler's and Goebbels' suicides and Martin Bormann's disappearance? We recall that Dönitz was Hitler's choice as President of Germany, Goebbels was the new Chancellor and Bormann was Hitler's successor as Chairman of the NSDAP... Interesting, very interesting...!

Br. James

[Max Wünsche]

So it was you who acquired these beauties.... Congratulations!

I put my hat into the ring to purchase the SS flag although was obviously was not as quick as you.

In light of your research it is fantastic that they have remained together.

[Serge M.]

Great Vet Grouping Catch. Congrats !
-Serge

[paulj]

So it was you who acquired these beauties.... Congratulations!

I put my hat into the ring to purchase the SS flag although was obviously was not as quick as you.

In light of your research it is fantastic that they have remained together.

Thanks. I missed an identical size SS-Lagerfahne last year so I am happy to have gotten this one with its companion and capture papers.

I'm still trying to find information on the GI but since he was a PFC he may be tough to trace. As I said, I'm hoping at least to identify his unit within the 75th Infantry Division.