There is record of two Nazi flags being captured by the 808th tank destroyers. Capturing a flag has long given the men a feeling of victory. In wars past, capturing the flag was the same as winning the battle, if not the war. Of course, that has been many wars ago.
The first one was yanked off of a wall by Wally Atkinson (do I have this name correct?) and carried home as a souvenir. To this day his family worries a bit because taking souvenirs home was against the rules. Though we all know it is fairly common practice and has been since the dawn of time. I think now after over 65 years we can share this flag with the internet.
There were a number of other items taken by some of the men including a German officers binoculars, I was told he would not be needing them anymore. Smaller items that could be carried in a pocket without threat of being caught were the most common souvenirs. Knowing about them would grow this page by leaps and bounds. I know they exist, I had a list that I have somehow lost. The men have kept these things for over 65 years and I loose a simple list of them in just 6. (Can you help with this?)
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The second flag was recently found by a WWII buff and collector in Germany. This flag was captured by the 808th tank destroyers in or around Passau Germany or Linz Austria. Many of the men signed it and most signatures, though do not show well on the photo are readable when examined closely. There is a list of the men who signed it below.
These are two signatures that were legible when photographed.
They will also view larger when clicked on.
Signatures found on the flag:
These are typed as sent to me by Pete Booker, the man who found the flag in an antique shop in Germany.
| PFC Clyde W Raines 107 Walrath 87 Sparta Wisc. |
Mr Andrew Chilkewitz 25452 Dartmouth Inkster Mich. |
| PFC Albert Thorns Woodberry Tenn R42 |
PFC Eckaid ??????? Iowa |
| PFC John Howe Oak Hill PF 04 Ohio |
PFC W Clark Eldcraco ???? |
| PFC George D Sansort 117 Al ? St Fall River Ina 55? |
PFC Ralph Forzano 121 Wyckoff Ave Brooklyn NY |
| PFC Frankie H Eowell Earlsborough Okla R 1 |
Cpl. Roy Justice RFD N01 Box 241 Ironton Ohio |
| PFC Arthur Brice Dunedin Florida |
Sgt. Clifford Clements Tekamah Nebr |
| CPL. Joseph Fant (?) Ver Sailes Ohio |
Harold Banoby (?) Jersey City New Jersey 158 Clark St 1945 |
| Lt. A. M. ?? (Saute or Sauton) New Jersey |
PFC Daniel R Holbrook Dookey NC |
| PFC Paul Abri??t 5042 Eddy St. Chicago 41 Illinois |
S/Sgt. Robert Steel Fay Route #5 |
| Sgt. Harry M Clayton Route 2 ?? N.C. |