H015592 MINEFIELD/GAS WARNING FLAG. (Spürfähnchen)

BACKGROUND: With the development of poisonous gasses used as offensive weapons in WWI appropriate defensive gasmasks also had to be developed. The German WWI M1915 and M1917 gasmasks evolved into the Reichswehr era M24 gasmask and eventually into the M30 and M38 gasmasks used in WWII. All German army personnel were issued with a gasmask, carrying canister and accessories and were required to have it readily available at all times. Although the use of chemical warfare agents was considered by the German OKW, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces), fear of the Allies retribution forced them to reconsider and shelf the idea. Along with the gasmask and assorted accessories was a gas warning flag set that consisted of twenty small flags on metal poles, seventy-five feet of yellow marking tape and a carrying pouch. The gas warning flag set was issued on a limited basis and was also utilized to mark minefields. The German armed forces also utilized other assorted flags and signs to mark gas contaminated areas and minefields. These two flags are from the gas warning flag set.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 12.5cm tall, 9cm wide, yellow cotton construction, inverted, triangular flag with a small, black printed, skull and cross bones. The flag features a dual-ply, machine stitched outer edges and a tunnel loop to the top edge designed to slip over the flag pole.

GRADE ****                             PRICE $39.00