| Place | Oceania: New Guinea1 |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/03254 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Flag |
| Physical description | Printed rayon |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Japan |
| Date made | c 1941-1944 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Japanese flag with appliqued skull and crossbones, captured by 2/4 Battalion, 1944
Description
Japanese national flag, possibly a unit or personal flag, of similar size to a soldier's personal 'good luck' flag. A white skull and crossbones has been appliqued onto the red hinamaru, presumably at the place of manufacture in Japan as the rayon fabric is identical to the white fabric on the body of the flag. Flag is marked on the right side in indelible pencil 'Captured in New Guinea on December 17th 1944 by 11 Platoon B Company' and bears the signatures of 35 officers and men.
History / Summary
Captured by 11 Platoon, B Company, 2/4th Battalion in New Guinea on 17 December 1944. The flag bears a number of signatures of members of the platoon, which were added on 22 December 1944.