POW Handkerchief

[alan8376]

I inherited this Handkerchief from my Dad.

I believe it came from a Italien POW. Can anyone give me any info as to which country the depicted planes are from and possibly info on the handkerchief it self?

Thanks
Alan

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Alan, the item is Italian. The aircraft are of course Italian too fo the Règia Aeronautica. This would have been a private purchase "sweetheart" type item bought as a souvenir by a serviceman to either keep for himself or to give to family or friends.

The one at the top, the tri motor land based plane looks like a Savoia Marchetti SM.79.

The tri motor float plane is a Cant Z.506B Airone.

The biplane is a Meridionali Ro.37 bis.

And finally the single engine float plane is a Cant Z.501 Gabbiano

Hope this helps?

Nice item especially as your Dad took it.

Cheers, Ade.

[alan8376]

Thanks for the info Ade,

The eagle and red shieded in the middle lead me to think it was one of the Nordic countries.

I believe it was a swop!

Alan

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Alan, the red and white sheild is the coat of arms of the Italian Royalty, the House of Savoy. You can date this item as pre mid 1943 by the fact it has this insignia is combined with those of the Fascist Party, and so it pre dates the Italian surrender.

Nice swop!

Cheers, Ade.