Description:

REICHSKRIEG FLAG AND DECKING TAKEN FROM THE TIRPITZ
Large wool Reichskriegflagge believed to have been flown aboard the doomed Bismarck-class battleship TIRPITZ before or at the time of her destruction by British air attack on November 12, 1944, taking up to 1,200 sailors with her to the bottom of a remote Norwegian fjord. The 1.5 x 2.5 meter flag has reinforced corners and a heavy white fabric cover along the hoist which is appropriately marked: 'Reichskriegs-Flg 1.5 x 2.5', along with a military approval stamp. Hemp lines are also sewn at the top and bottom of the hoist. Overall the flag is in very good condition, with a few holes not attributable to insect damage, and some black spots. This flag originates from the personal collection of Michael Hodgson, a founder of the Thorpe Camp Preservation Group in 1993 which sought to preserve Thorpe Camp, a handful of huts which was all that remained of the former RAF Woodhall Spa. Woodhall Spa was the base from which RAF 617 Squadron (the 'Dambusters') flew to deliver the Tallboy bombs which sank the battleship. Hodgson, who died in 2018, was a published author; aviation tour guide; a stalwart of the aviation preservation movement (Thorpe Camp and Tattershall); and a former Chairman of BAPC (British Aviation Preservation Council). The flag is accompanied by a typed framed note displayed with it at one time and signed in type by Hodgson. It reads in part: 'This flag was originally flown on the German Battleship Tirpitz. It was one of two carries on the ship which was moored in Tromso fjord, Norway when it was destroyed by R.A.F. Lancaster bombers...I acquired this flag together with a large section of teak decking from Jens Kristiansen, a retired policeman from Alta in the 1990's...' Also present is an undated letter to Hodgson, ca. 1990, from a member of another museum group and also mentioning the 'Tirpitz flag, which we would dearly like to have...' Apparently, Hodgson traded the flag to his correspondent. Our consignor, who personally knew Hodgson, advises: 'It [Thorpe Camp] was small to start with, just a couple of blocks and hence he did not have a lot of space. He was in contact with other aviation groups such as the Derbyshire group and ours the Humberside Aircraft Preservation Society. I know he got the Tirpitz flag at some point in the 90s together with a lump of Tirpitz decking. This came from a policeman from the Alta area. I did a WW2 display and talk with Mike many years ago in which the flag was displayed along with many other period items. Due to the size of the flag, I guess not the easiest item for display and it was traded for other 617 items he wanted...' Also present is a print-out of an event at Thorpe Camp in 1993, as well as biographical signed sheets by two British airmen who participated in the raid, JOHN VICKERS COCKSHOT, and COLIN COLE. As the TIRPITZ was crippled in the attack and very soon capsized, if Hodgson is correct, an officer or sailor would have had to seize the flag at the last moment as he escaped with his life - not at all uncommon among naval officers. Of course, the possibility exists that the flag was ashore at the time of the sinking, perhaps in storage. SOLD WITH: a very substantial section of teak taken from the deck of the TIRPITZ, likely during her salvage or perhaps much later, also once owned by Mike Hodgson. The 12 x 6 x 1 in. relic bears an engraved plaque reading: 'A section of Malay Teak from the German Battleship 'TIRPITZ' which was destroyed by RAF bombing on November 12th, 1944 in Tromso, Norway. Courtesy of Mike Hodgson' The plaque is flanked on either side by a Kriegsmarine uniform button. With the provenance supplied, this lot is estimated accordingly.

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January 26, 2023 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000