Makhno Unit Flag 1919

[Tal Inbar]

Please help in identification of this banner, which belonged to the army of Ukrainian anarchist, Nestor Ivanovich Makhno who was active in Ukraine during the Russian Civil War.

[DougD]

OK, lets try this again....

1919-1920 regt. flag for a rifles unit in the Army of Nestor Makhno, Ukrianain Anarchist who allied himself with the Reds against the whites. After the defeat of most of the white forces in Ukraine in 1920-1921, the Makhno Army was destroyed by the Red Army.

This flag, from 1919-1920, is for the 3rd Rifle Regt of the Makno Army of Ukraine. It is black, the anarchist color, with skull and bones motiff.

The side of unit ID.

Note the possible 2 bullet holes.

DD

[Taz]

The Revolutionary Insurgent Army led by Makhno operated in Ukraine.
Several black flags were used and the this is only one example of this kind of flag.

Death to all who prevents receiving of freedom for working people

Smert vsim - Death to all
khto na pirishkodi - who prevents
dobuttya vil`nosti - receiving of freedom
trudovomu lyudu - for working people

The Ukrainian Air Force in this era often used "skull and bone" markings on their aircraft (I believe it was Yellow skull & crossbones on a White roundel with a Black border).

Here is a simple version and a pic of Makhno,

Eddie.