Nicaragua Sandinista Rebel Banner.

Sandinista Rebels HQ Flag, taken by 5th Rgt. USMC, Coco River, Nicaragua, 1928.
This tropht red wool banner bears a single black five point star on the obverse. Red and black were the colors worn by Sandinistas in Nicaragua from 1927 to 1934. Led by the liberal and charismatic Augusto Sandino, the rebellion waged a guerrilla war against the United States intervention in Nicaragua on the side of the Conservative Party. Sandino led his guerillas, styled "Ejército Defensor de la Soberanía Nacional de Nicaragua" or The Army in Defense of the National Sovereignty of Nicaragua", in ambush raids against USMC patrols and installations.

The black star occurs only on the obverse of the banner, leading to speculation that it was intended to be visible from one side only. The banner's construction points to a field made expediently from materials on hand, including red homespun wool, seamed vertically for the background, with a narrow pole hem and a black cotton star. Sandino expected the guerrillas to supply themselves and thus most wore civilian garb, choosing to identify themselves with red and black scarves and neckerchiefs.

Based on photographic evidence of the rebels, this is not a Sandinista unit color but rather a propaganda and morale banner created in the movement's colors. According to the attribution, it was taken by elements of the 5th Regiment, Unites States Marines during their operations against the guerrillas along Nicaragua's Coco River in 1928.

This was USMC offensive in the summer of 1928, to deprive the Sandinista rebels of bases of operation in the Coco River basin in eastern Nicaragua. During these incursions along the Coco River, elements of the 5th Marines captured several rebel officers and large amounts of material desperately needed by the Sandinista forces, among them this banner.

After capture the black star on the banner was stenciled with a golden yellow inscription, "5 REGT USMC COCO RIVER 1928 NIC'A", and portions were cut from the top of the banner as souvenirs resulting in its irregular shape.

Provenance: Acquired at Internet auction, 2009.

ZFC Significant Flag

Sources:

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Sacred Sandino Flag, Nicaragua Living, 10 October 2011, from: http://www.nicaliving.com/node/15682

Schroeder, Michael J., The Sandino Rebellion in Nicaragua 1927-1934, 10 October 2011, from: www.sandinorebellion.com

5th Marine Regiment, Wikipedia, 10 October 2011, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_Marine_Regiment_%28United_States%29

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection

(Formerly in the Captured Flags Sub-collection.)

Hoist & Fly
Width of Hoist	24
Length of Fly	31

Stars
Comments on Star Measurements	One black centered 5 point star.
Size of Stars	18.75

Stripes
Size of Hoist	0.25

Frame
Is it framed?	no

Stars
Number of Stars	1
How are the stars embeded?	Sewn
Are there stars on obverse?	yes
Are there stars on reverse?	no

Stripes
Has a Blood Stripe?	no

Crest/Emblem
Description of Crest/Emblem	Inscribed with trophy designation " 5 REGT USMC COCO RIVER" 1928 NIC'A"

Fabric
Fabric	Wool

Stitching
Stitching	Machine

Attachment
Comments on Method of Attachmen	1" plain sleeve
Method of Attachment	Sleeve

Applica
Applique Sides	Single Faced = Mirror Image Reverse

Documentation
Documents	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.
Drawings	All original documents and drawings are held in the Zaricor Flag Collection Archives.

Condition
Condition	Fair
Damage	Flag is used, soiled, with much loss due to souvenir taking.
Displayable	yes

Date
Date	1928