Nazi flag : Flight Lieutenant I A L Milne, 452 Squadron, RAAF and Ian Hardie, 104 Squadron, RAF

Place Europe: Germany, Fallingbostel
Accession Number REL33631
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Flag
Physical description Cotton, Steel
Maker Unknown
Place made Germany
Date made c 1939-1945
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Small Nazi flag with several tears and holes. The white cotton circle in the centre which contains the swastika has been annotated in black ink with the names 'IAN. A. HARDIE 104 SQD STALAG 357 HELL CAMP' and 'IAN MILNE 452 SQDN.' The flag has two rusted clips attached to either end of the hoist.

History / Summary

The history of this flag (possibly a car pennant) is unknown. It has written on it 'Stalag 357' which was located at Fallingbostel in the north of Germany and indicates that both men who signed it were prisoners there. It is possible the flag was a souvenir of their liberation, or something they kept hidden through their captivity. One of the men to sign the flag was 407078 Flight Lieutenant Ian Arthur Lace Milne, from Wirrabara, South Australia. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 27 May 1940 aged 25. He was serving with 452 Squadron when he was captured and became a German prisoner. He was discharged from the RAAF on 4 October 1945. The other signatory, Ian Hardie of 104 Squadron, is not recorded on the Australian nominal roll.