Autographed good luck flag carried by Japanese soldier Saumi Hideo in the Shaggy Ridge area, 1944

Japanese soldier's autographed national flag. Partial English translations have subsequently been written beside the Japanese characters. The characters translate as 'Everlasting success to the Imperial Japanese Army in war' and 'Presented to Mr Saumi Hideo'. The flag is bloodstained.

Taken from the body of a Japanese signalman killed in action in the Shaggy Ridge area on 8 February, 1944. Document accompanying the flag, allowing the donor to keep it as a war souvenir, describes the flag as being taken at 'Feature 4200'. The donor, QX5007 Warrant Officer Class 2 James Cranney, although not certain, feels that this may be incorrect and should read 'Feature 4100'. Cranney enlisted in October 1939 and served with 2/9 Battalion. He was discharged on 25 February 1944. The English translation of the Japanese writing on the flag appears to have been added immediately post-war by Cranney and is out of alignment with the Japanese characters. The latter should be read in vertical alignment on the proper right of the flag.