American Battle Flags From D-Day and Pearl Harbor to Be Auctioned

CHESAPEAKE CITY, Md., Sept. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Two tattered 48-star American flags from momentous battles of World War II are highlights of the Sep. 13-14 militaria sale by Maryland auctioneers Alexander Historical Auctions. One flag, tattered and soot-smudged, was flown by an infantry landing craft which made 26 trips to the "OMAHA" landing beach in Normandy. The vessel's first trip, early on D-Day (June 6, 1944), landed soldiers of the 115^th Infantry who broke out of the beachhead under heavy fire from snipers, machine guns, and concealed anti-tank guns. Only a very few such flags still exist.  Two original maps used in the planning of the landings are also being offered in the sale.

The second flag to be offered witnessed the near destruction of America's Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor during the surprise Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. The battered flag flew before Navy Headquarters, in view Admiral Husband E. Kimmel who was wrongfully blamed for the disaster. The historic relic was recovered at the site and given to an engineer who was overseeing recovery efforts.  Also being sold is the iconic telegram sent to American ships: "AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR X THIS IS NOT DRILL"

Auctioneer Bill Panagopulos commented: "These flags are icons of American history, representative of the sacrifices American soldiers made to protect the world from tyranny and to preserve freedom. We would do well to remember that."

Other notable items in the sale include a very rare signed copy of Adolf Hitler's political manifesto "Mein Kampf" which he inscribed: "Only in battle will the noble man survive!" Also of interest is a globe taken from Hitler's home by a G.I., symbolic of the dictator's thirst for world domination. Other Hitler items include some of the Fuhrer's garments left behind in an Austrian hotel…including his dress shirt, socks…and his boxer shorts! Also: feared SS leader Heinrich Himmler's post mortem report and eyeglasses, obtained after his suicide; plans of the battleship "Bismarck"; a clock melted from the atomic blast at Hiroshima; a helmet slapped from the head of a surrendering German general by an American soldier, and many hundreds of other relics, documents, uniforms, helmets, insignia, etc.

Bidding will be available live, by telephone, and at the bidding websites invaluable.com and liveauctioneers.com.  The entire sale may be viewed online at the auctioneer's catalog link. Alexander Historical Auctions may be reached at 203-276-1570, email: [email protected].

Media Contact: 

Bill Panagopulos 
203-276-1570  
[email protected]

SOURCE Alexander Historical Auctions