This is a manufacture based on German design. Made of yellow silk, finely embroidered on both sides. On the obverse, the large Fascist Spanish state coat of arms with the motto “Una Grande Libre”, on the reverse the cipher “L C” in front of a diagonal cross with the inscription “Todo po la Patria” (= Everything for the Fatherland), in the corners alternating the swastika and the Iron Cross. Bordered with golden fringe, with sewn-in nickel-plated crossbars at top and bottom. The suspension made of orange/yellow cord. Dimensions approximately 31 x 38 cm. Clear signs of wear and age, the silk partially deteriorated and frayed, condition 3.

In April 1938, 30 members of the Staff Music Corps of the Luftwaffe Guard Battalion were assigned to the Legion Condor to form the Music Corps of the Legion Condor, stationed in Benicarlo. After the end of the Spanish Civil War and the dissolution of the Legion Condor, the Jingling Johnny was transferred to the Luftwaffe Guard Battalion and was kept in the Reich Air Ministry. In May 1945, the piece became US war booty of a soldier from the 16th Constabulary Squadron, which was stationed in Berlin from 1945 to 1950. For the first time in over 80 years back in Germany.

The Jingling Johnny flag is illustrated in the reference book “Legion Condor Uniforms, Organization and History” by Roger Bender on page 304; from page 306 onwards, a separate chapter is dedicated to the Jingling Johnny with several photos of the 1939 victory parade showing the Jingling Johnny.

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Legion Condor Jingling Johnny Flag of the Music Corps

The Schellenbaumflagge of the Legion Condor Music Corps represents a significant artifact of German military intervention in the Spanish Civil War. This banner, manufactured from yellow silk and embroidered on both sides with gold fringe trim, was used by the music corps of the Legion Condor, a unit specifically formed for deployment in Spain in April 1938.

The Legion Condor was Nazi Germany's expeditionary force supporting General Franco's Nationalist forces during the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939. Formed in November 1936, the Legion consisted of approximately 19,000 German personnel rotated through Spain, including Luftwaffe air units and ground forces. In 1938, a wind orchestra from the staff music corps of the Guard Battalion of the Luftwaffe in Berlin was transferred to Spain under utmost secrecy.

In April 1938, 30 members of the Stabsmusikkorps of the Wachbataillon der Luftwaffe were seconded to the Legion Condor to form its music corps. The unit was stationed in Benicarló, where the Legion Condor headquarters had relocated in 1938. Single-engine planes operated from nearby airfields. The music corps provided musical support for German soldiers and Spanish Nationalist troops under General Franco, as well as symbolic presentation and representation of the Nazi state through military ceremonies.

The Schellenbaum, also known as a Turkish crescent or “Jingling Johnny” in English, is a percussion instrument consisting of a long pole with bells and crescent-shaped crosspieces traditionally used by military bands. During the Third Reich, bands used banners attached to the Schellenbaum to identify the unit or division. This example features nickel-plated crossbars sewn in at top and bottom, with an orange-yellow cord suspension. The dimensions measure approximately 31 x 38 cm.

The front of the flag displays the large fascist Spanish state coat of arms with the motto “Una Grande Libre”. The reverse bears the cipher “LC” for Legion Condor in front of a diagonal cross with the inscription “Todo po la Patria” (All for the Fatherland). Alternating swastika and Iron Cross symbols appear in the corners. This design combines German and Spanish nationalist symbolism in a unique testament to military cooperation.

The Schellenbaum was carried at the head of the marching band during parades and ceremonies. After the end of the Spanish Civil War in April 1939 and the dissolution of the Legion Condor, the Legion returned to Germany in May 1939. On June 6, 1939, it marched in a victory parade in Berlin where the Schellenbaum was prominently displayed. Stabsmusikmeister Karl Bögelsack (1889-unknown) composed the “Marsch der Legion Condor” in 1939. The Legion Condor was commanded successively by Hugo Sperrle, Hellmuth Volkmann, and Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen.

Following dissolution, the Schellenbaum was transferred to the Wachbataillon der Luftwaffe and kept in the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Reich Air Ministry) in Berlin. In May 1945, the item became US war booty, captured by a soldier of the 16th Constabulary Squadron, which was stationed in Berlin from 1945 to 1950. After more than 80 years abroad, the object has returned to Germany.

The Schellenbaum flag is documented in the reference book “Legion Condor Uniforms, Organization and History” by Roger Bender on page 304. A dedicated chapter beginning on page 306 features multiple photographs from the 1939 victory parade showing the Schellenbaum. The present example shows clear signs of wear and age, with the silk partially damaged and frayed. These traces of use attest to actual employment at military occasions during and after the Spanish Civil War, underscoring the historical authenticity of this rare object. This appears to be a unique item, as only one such flag-banner combination would have been in use by the unit.