Widow devastated by Nazi flag theft

The widow of a World War 2 soldier who captured a Nazi battle flag 66 years ago is devastated by its theft from a Raglan museum.

The war relic was on display, for the first time ever, at Raglan and District's Museum exhibition entitled Raglan and the Anzac after it had been in storage for many years.

Wyonne Wright's late husband Whitfield Wright had taken the flag from an evacuated Nazi building in Italy in 1944 and it had been in the family ever since.

Mrs Wright said the entire family was disappointed. "Somebody will know somebody who is skiting about it. I'm worried it will go overseas. It is a real treasure and was in mint condition."

Accompanying details and photographs of Mr Wright and his tank crew were taken at the same time. The flag was hanging from a doorway and is coloured red, white and black with a large swastika in the middle and an iron cross in the corner.

Museum president Patrick Day said the flag was the size of a door and very distinctive.

"Mr Wright was a local and long time member of the museum. We are very upset about it. It's a combination of distress and anger for all of us."

Raglan police were investigating the theft which occurred between 3pm and 4pm on Sunday afternoon. Constable Dean McMillan said there were about 15 people in the museum at the time and no security cameras.

Anyone with information about the theft is urged to contact the Raglan police.

- NZPA