Pennant found by a US soldier

Identifier
irn539358
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 2015.558.10
Level of Description
Item
Source
EHRI Partner

Extent and Medium

overall: Height: 4.625 inches (11.748 cm) | Width: 3.625 inches (9.208 cm)

Archival History

The pennant was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2015 by Edwin Fierer.

Acquisition

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Edwin Fierer

Scope and Content

German military issue, poison gas warning pennant retrieved by Leon Fierer during his military service with the 79th Infantry Division in Europe during WWII. The pennants were attached to a thin, iron rod and staked into the ground. They were used to mark off areas contaminated with dangerous gas, and later repurposed to warn against hidden landmines. The pennants were part of a set that included 20 flags, each attached to a 60-cm-long iron rod, painted with red anti-rust paint, a roll of yellow tape, and a carrying pouch.

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on access

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Small, yellow cloth with an inverted triangle, displaying a black ink skull and crossbones printed on the front and back, and hemmed edges. The top edge is folded over and sewn to form a tunnel hoist. There is a knotted loop of white thread in the upper left corner. The cloth is stained.

Subjects

Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.