Balkenkreuz flag used in WWII?

[Schuller]

Reproductions of this flag for reenactment can be found on ebay
Some people claim it's a postwar fantasy piece, others claim it existed but say it saw little use
It's said its purpose was for aerial identification, like those tank swastika "flags"

Alledged originals like this one have no markings, and are incredibly in mint condition
http://www.aboutww2militaria.com/April2 ... _flag.html



This is the only graphic evidence I know
http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=PqSfhS0

Any thoughts?

[Stigroadie]

With a grommet in each corner its not going to be flown from a flag pole.
Such fittings make it ideal to lash to a vehicle.
How authentic is it? No idea but they got used once for the job as your picture shows.

[Volunteer]

This is no original item, farby trash at all.

[Schuller]

Thanks for the quick responses
I guess this design is fake, or at least very uncommon, as there are dozens of photos with the swastika "flag" instead of this one

Such fittings make it ideal to lash to a vehicle.

For aerial identification purposes, of course, but with the war in its final stages the luftwaffe had lost the control of the skies, so it makes no sense using this "flag" to attract the attention of the allied aviation

[Jaws]

There has been a post, I think on this forum somewhere, of a veterans account (very late war) of a german ground unit using identification flags during surprise Luftwaffe attacks. I was surprised to read it!

Regards,

Gary.