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Minister for Air Travel and Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force 1935-1945 (Germany)

Reichsminister der Luftfahrt und Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe

Last modified: 2010-02-12 by jarig bakker
Keywords: third reich | minister | commander in chief |
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Flag of the Minister for Air Travel 1933-1935 / Flagge des Reichsminister der Luftfahrt

A red flag, in the center a wreath of silver laurel leaves. In the center of the wreath a white field, in the center of which a black National Eagle (as in the service flag, without swastika). Suspended from the wreath the Pour le Merite [First World War decoration for valour]. Extending from the side of the wreath a pair of silver stylized wings; connecting each corner and the wedge a white black-bordered wedge on which in each corner a black swastika, giving the impression of an overall cross. The reverse was similar, except that eagle and swastikas reversed positions (swastika in center, eagles at corners). Illustrated in Davis 1975, p. 100 and [Roger James] Bender, The Luftwaffe, p. 282]. This flag remained in use until 1935.
Norman Martin, 1998

[Minister for Air Travel 1933-1935 (Third Reich, Germany)] 1:1 image by Jaume Ollé

An alternative design to the flag of the Minister for Air Travel. The design is rather similar except for having a red, rather than a white, central disk, and having the diagonal white wedges extend only slightly more than half the distance, so that the swastikas appear in the red field. In use 1933? to 1935. [Davis 1975 has a black and white picture of this flag flying at the Air Ministry.
Norman Martin, Jan 1998

FOTW is displaying only the second design of the first flag of the Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe. I've posted photos of the first design (in this example a car pennant but the layout is the same) here.
Marcus Wendel, 6 Jun 2008

Flag of the Minister for Air Travel and Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force 1935-1938 / Flagge des Reichsminister der Luftfahrt und Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe

[Minister for Air Travel and Air Force C-in-C 1935-1938 (Third Reich, Germany) obverse, sinister hoist]
both by Jaume Ollé | 1:1 		 [Minister for Air Travel and Air Force C-in-C 1935-1938 (Third Reich, Germany) reverse, sinister hoist]
N.B.: the gold braided border is not a fringe

Similar to the flag of the Minister for Air Travel except for having a gold Luftwaffe eagle (with swastika, of course) at the center with wings overlapping into the red field, gold swastikas and a gold braid border and analogous change on the reverse.
Illustrated Davis 1975 and p. 101, [Roger James] Bender, The Luftwaffe, p. 283. In use 1935-1938.
Norman Martin, Jan 1998

Flag of the Minister for Air Travel and Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force 1938-1945 / Flagge des Reichsminister der Luftfahrt und Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe

[Minister for Air Travel and Air Force C-in-C 1938-1945 (Third Reich, Germany) obverse, sinister hoist]
both by Jaume Ollé | 1:1 		 [Minister for Air Travel and Air Force C-in-C 1938-1945 (Third Reich, Germany) reverse, sinister hoist]
N.B.: the gold braided border is not a fringe

Identical with the previous flag except for having crossed marshal's batons at the bottom of the wreath (to signify Göring's rank). In use from 1938, but was not often used after Göring's 1940 promotion to Reichsmarschall.
Illustrated in Flaggenbuch 1939, pl. VI and Davis 1975, p. 102. The reverse shows no change from the previous flag.
Norman Martin, Jan 1998