Armband, Identification, Oil Cloth, Invasion Flag

Rare genuine WWII US Army oil cloth armband, featuring the 48-star flag, to be worn on the right sleeve by invasion troops in various operations -- Normandy, Provence, Holland... Its purpose was to identify the nationality of the wearer to the locals of the country being invaded. These armbands had been around for a year or two before the 101st Airborne Division used them.

US amphibious forces had already worn such brassards in Operation Torch. They were standard issue in the 101st Airborne Division for Operation Market Garden and photographic evidence indicates that they had been worn by glider pilots in Operation Neptune. They were also issued to infantry and airborne troops for Operation Dragoon.

Quite good, worn condition; retains two safety pins.

Dimensions: about 3.9in x 17.2in.