Captured Soviet Banners

[Lapa]

Guys,

There is a Polish book, published in the 1960's or 70's, that covers this topic, actually on a somewhat broader basis as it covers also the 1920's intervention. In it, there are old B&W photos of the banners captured, as well as color drawing reconstruction of them.

It seems that the Red Army was ordered to recover these as they took Warsaw; they did so, and the banners have disappeared from public light ever since. It is supposed that they were returned to Moscow, and could be held at the Central Museum of the Armed Forces.

Marc

[Al-muell]

Was that book published in Poland? It seems very unlikely if it's from 60's and would still be strange in 70's. Unless it was published in London or Paris.

[jefflgarrison]

Originally Posted by Lapa

the 1920's intervention

You mean Polands successful defense of their state. Semantics.

Well, it wasn't the first time Stalin used the Poles to cover up his ineptness and hatred for this wonderful land. Katyn would be another one.

[EricFG]

Welcome Mark! And great photo of a neat flag, thanks for sharing. I've seen nothing before like it, but then my Sovi flag knowledge is minimal.
The Soviets did use art quite well in their propaganda. Some of their designs are interesting still.

[DougD]

Mark,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting the photo! The flag is a civilian award flag, but a very nice older one (1920's?)...if you have anymore, post them! Thanks!

DougD

[MarkJ]

Thanks for the warm welcome and useful comments. The banner must certainly post-date Lenin's death (21 January 1924) since, of course, the reference to the "Legacy of Ilyich" indicates he had already shuffled off to Bolshevik Valhalla by then.

Will post some more images shortly, which I think you'll find most intriguing. :D

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[DougD]

Mark,

Great, look forward to more images! Hope you enjoy the flag sub-forum!

DougD

[MarkJ]

Here is another unusual captured banner image from my collection. I consulted with a native Russian speaker (mixed Russian and Ukrainian parentage) and he provided this commentary:

Text on the banner (in Ukrainian): "Union of Baker's Industry, Prilutsk Group Committee". Location -- Ukraine, the town of Prilutsk, Chernigov Region (Northwest of Ukraine, close to Kiev). The photo is apparently made not long ago after Belarus had been invaded by the Army Group South in 1941. Chances are the photo was taken around the time of the Big Kiev Defense Operation in August-September 1941.

The troops mugging for the camera are obviously Waffen-SS. However, I haven't yet been able to determine precisely which SS division passed through the Prilutsk locale in late summer 1941. Nevertheless the two front-runners are either 2.SS-Division "Reich" (later "Das Reich") or 5.SS-Division "Wiking", both of which were involved in the huge encirclement of Soviet troops during the Kiev operation. "Leibstandandarte" and "Polizei" were attached to Armeegruppe Nord while the men shown in the photo do not appear to be wearing the distinctive insignia of "Totenkopf".

If anyone can provide further details, I'd be grateful for them!

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[MarkJ]

I haven't posted images from my collection in a while, so I thought I might share this one. I recently acquired it on EBay Germany. I can't quite make sense of the inscription, but, from all appearances, it's a "political" one. No inscription on the back other than some mysterious numbers. However, the obvious guess is that this banner was captured, like so many others, during "Barbarossa".

If anybody can provide a translation for the inscription (aside from the usual "Proletarians of the World Unite!"), I'd be very grateful.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[DougD]

Markj,

Great photo (even non-military), please keep posting!

DougD