As we get closer to Veteran’s Day, I think of those who have served our country. Veterans I knew growing up, as well as those I know now or have worked with on archaeological projects or at work. I speak with them about their service or comrades, but sometimes an object can speak to you about a veteran of the past.
One such object is a framed piece of the German armistice flag taken from the larger white flags on the cars which took the officers to meet with the allies and end the war. There is a printed note which states: “Here’s a Real Souvenir The piece of flag shown here is a part of the white flag of truce, attached to the automobile which carried the German delegate Count von Winterfield across the allied lines on November 8. It is now the property of First Lt. William E. Brown, of Groupe Robinson. Lt. Brown obtained it at La Capelle, the first town in the allied lines at which the German peace delegates stopped. Lt. Brown is seen in the picture below standing in front of the German automobile with the chauffeurs who drove the delegates through the lines. The picture was taken on November 11, when Lt. Brown was in La Capelle with a convoy.” A picture in the center of the frame has the whole flag with markings and the date “11.11.18” Armistice Day and the end of World War I.
Another printed note reads “A Piece of the Original German Armistice Flag – This interesting souvenir was presented to Mr. F.E. Lee by Lieutenant W. E. Brown, A.E.F., who was at the point in the lines through which the German ambassadors came to attend the armistice negotiations. Its peculiar value lies in the fact that it is a piece of the original flag which heralded for the first time in the history of the German nation a plea for mercy and presaged the ending of the greatest war the world has ever known.” It must have been quite the moment for Brown to have been a part of. He also wrote a letter to go along with the flag fragment which has some staining and loss, but his sentiment gets across even with the damage “Their cars which were four “Benz” and a “Mercedes” all wonderfully equipped cars, each one with a large white truce flag – Firing ceased at the point from 2 P.M until 12 o’clock midnight to assure their safe arrival and return if necessary I am enclosing you a piece of the “armistice Flag” which I took from one of the cars as souvenir I consider this piece of white cloth signifies the first time the Germans have ever asked for mercy and the settling of the greatest war the world has ever known rest assured.”
Knowing this fragment was taken on November 11, at 11:00, 1918, effectively ending “The Great War” is a moving reminder of the costs of war to not only those who died, but also to the living. Those who went home to rebuild their lives, start families, and try to put the war behind them. So, on November 11, take some time to remember those who have served our great country.
This historical artifact and many others will be in our December 10th live and online Historic Arms & Militaria auction
