Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  FRENCH NATIONAL FLAG WITH KNOWN SPECIFIC HISTORY,

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): Would be approx. 38" x 49" framed, without staff
Flag Size (H x L): 27.25" x 38.5" on a 60" staff
Description....:
FRENCH NATIONAL FLAG WITH KNOWN SPECIFIC HISTORY, USED TO WELCOME AMERICAN TROOPS TRAVELLING THROUGH NORMANDY IN 1944, UPON ITS LIBERATION FROM THE GERMANS:

This is a French national flag (the blue, white & rouge), distributed by member of the French Resistance and waved to welcome American troops upon the liberation of a town in Normandy. The flag was found at the home of a cheese-making family named "Lepetit". Robert was the man of the family who owned the house during WWII. He had a daughter named Chantal, who was, until recently, in possession of the flag. I acquired it from her daughter-in-law, who is an acquaintance of mine.

They Lepetit family fabricated camembert for centuries. During WWII, the family home was been seized and occupied by German officials. The family was allowed to remain on the premises. They were given the outbuildings to live in and access to the central kitchen twice a day.

Chantal remembers the day in 1944 when the liberation reached Normandy and the German officials were removed from her house by the local mayor and members of the French Resistance. The pickup truck that came to retrieve them was filled with both American and French flags. They were being distributed to the townspeople so that they could honor and welcome the American liberating soldiers who were riding down from Arromanches (Omahah, Juno, and Sword beaches). Chantal remembers waving the flags for days as the processions of Wills jeeps came through. She remembers the soldiers who threw her a pack of chewing gum. To her older brother they threw some American cigarettes.

I occasionally have found American flags made for such purpose, but this is the first French flag I have acquired with known specific history of this kind. There is a tin finial on the painted green staff that reads "RF" (Republic of France). The flag itself measures 27.25' x 38.5'. I would suggest remove the staff for framing, as I do on almost all other flags.

Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted.

Condition: There is some fading, but there are no serious condition issues.
Collector Level:
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1944
Latest Date of Origin: 1944
State/Affiliation:
War Association: WW 2
Price: SOLD
 

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