WWII Signed Nazi Banner

 


I while ago I acquired this small banner from an US auction. Normally I don't collect banners but as this was signed and got it cheap, I bought it :)

It is a multi-piece construction made of cotton with a sewn hooked cross on both sides. The header fits for a stick/boom and on the other side there is one ring left. Originally it has three rings along the end but two are missing. It smells of "attic"/old and measures approx. 77 x 138 cm or 30 x 54 inches

The soldier who signed the banner is Warren Eugene Shields, born 6th of October 1912, enlisted in 19th of August 1942 and discharged again 1st of October 1945. As you can see on the picture the year 1944 is written and Warren's army serial number. Unfortunately he passed away on the 10th of December 1976, 64 years old.

If we assume he landed in Europe together the rest of the US soldier some point after D-Day, then the banner must have been taken somewhere between the 6th of June and New Year 1944 (ardennes offensive/Battle of the Bulge), giving around 6 month

As with other veterans I usually have a hard time finding any information due to the fire in 1973. But it is written M/Sgt, Master Sergeant and on "findagrave.com" it states he was Tec3 sergeant. I wasn't able to verify any of these ranks. Of cause I cannot verify that it's actually Warren himself that wrote the information on the banner, but the pencil writing seems faded and old so I assume it must be him or a close relative

I really would like to know which regiment, platoon, etc., he was in so I can track the platoon's whereabouts. If you know, pleas leave a comment :)

Link to find a grave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50380380/warren-eugene-shields


The banner over all

The hookcross is printet on the round disc which is sewn to the fabric 

The end of banner

Fitted for a counterweight to stretch the fabric.

The top end. Ring on this side is missing

Top end. This ring is still present.

Warren's writting

Final thoughts

If you know ore about please let me know. I have requested the National Archive for his discharge papers but they are so blurry I'm not able to see which division and company he was in. Let me know :)

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