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Flags of the Navy 1933-1945 (Germany)

Deutsche Kriegsmarine

Last modified: 2004-06-05 by santiago dotor
Keywords: third reich | rank | grand admiral | general admiral | admiral | vice admiral | rear admiral | iron cross | cross: formy (black) | batons: crossed | eagle (gold) | swords: 2 (crossed) | swords: 2 (gold) | disc (black) | discs: 2 |
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Introduction

The Nazis continued the use of the Naval rank flags which the Weimar Republic had inherited from [the] Imperial Navy. In addition they installed 3 new ones: Generaladmiralsflagge, Grossadmiralsflagge and Flagge des Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine, sofern er nicht Grossadmiral ist.

Norman Martin, January 1998


Grand Admiral's Flag

Grossadmiralsflagge

[Grand Admiral (Third Reich, Germany)] 1:1
by Jaume Ollé

Like the Imperial Grossadmiral's Flag with a gold Nazi national eagle replacing the imperial crown. Illustrated in Flaggenbuch 1939, pl. IV.

Norman Martin, January 1998


Flag of the Inspector Admiral of the Navy of the Greater German Reich with the Rank of Grand Admiral 1943-1945

Flagge des Admiralinspekteurs der Kriegsmarine des Grossdeutschen Reiches im Range eines Grossadmirals

[Inspector Admiral of the Navy] 1:1
by Jaume Ollé

The Grossadmiral's Flag with a broad blue border. Introduced 30th January 1943. Illustrated in Flaggenbuch 1939, pl. IVa (color) and Davis 1975, p. 127 (black and white).

Norman Martin, January 1998


Flag of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, if not a Grand Admiral

Flagge des Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine, sofern er nicht Grossadmiral ist

[Commander-in-Chief of the Navy if not a Grand Admiral (Third Reich, Germany)] 1:1
by Jaume Ollé

The Admiral's flag with gold crossed swords behind the Iron Cross. Illustrated in Flaggenbuch 1939, pl. IV.

Norman Martin, January 1998


General Admiral's Flag

Generaladmiralsflagge

[General Admiral (Third Reich, Germany)] 1:1
by Jaume Ollé

The Admiral's flag with gold crossed swords in the lower hoist. Illustrated Flaggenbuch 1939, pl. IV (color) and Davis 1975, p. 125 (black and white).

Norman Martin, January 1998


Admiral's Flag

Admiralsflagge

[Admiral 1867-1945 and 1956-nowadays (Germany)] 1:1
by Marcus Schmöger

On a white field a narrow Iron Cross whose arms reach the edge of the flag. (...) This flag was probably in use as early as 1867, certainly by the mid 1880s and has continued in use until today, except for the few years in which there was no German Navy, and for East Germany from 1945 until 1990. (...) Illustrated in Flaggenbuch 1939 p. 4.

Norman Martin, 1998


Car Pennant for Admirals

Dienstwimpel am Kraftwagen für Admirale

[Admirals Car Pennant (Third Reich, Germany)]
by Jaume Ollé

Like the Car Pennant for Other Members of the Navy, but with a wider gold border, decorated with swastikas.

Norman Martin, March 1998


Vice Admiral's Flag

Vizeadmiralsflagge

[Vice Admiral 1867-1945 and 1956-nowadays (Germany)] 1:1
by Marcus Schmöger

The admiral's flag with a black ball in the upper hoist. This flag was probably in use as early as 1867, certainly by the mid 1880s and has continued in use until today, except for the few years in which there was no German Navy, and for East Germany from 1945 until 1990. Illustrated in Flaggenbuch 1939 p. 4.

Norman Martin, 1998

The diameter of the black disc should be 9/50ths of the flag's height, according to Flaggenbuch 1939.

Santiago Dotor, 25 May 2000


Rear Admiral's Flag

Konteradmiralsflagge

[Rear Admiral 1867-1945 and 1956-nowadays (Germany)] 1:1
by Marcus Schmöger

The admiral's flag with a black ball in the upper hoist and one in the lower hoist. This flag was probably in use as early as 1867, certainly by the mid 1880s and has continued in use until today, except for the few years in which there was no German Navy, and for East Germany from 1945 until 1990. Illustrated in Flaggenbuch 1939 p. 4.

Norman Martin, 1998

The diameter of the black discs should be 9/50ths of the flag's height, according to Flaggenbuch 1939.

Santiago Dotor, 25 May 2000


Car Command Flag for Navy Fortress Commanders in Staff Officer Positions and Navy Regimental Commanders

Kommandozeichen am Kraftwagen für Festungskommandanten als Stabsoffiziersstellungen und Regimentskommandeure der Kriegsmarine

[Navy Fortress Commanders, Navy Regimental Commanders (Third Reich, Germany)] 3:5
by Jaume Ollé

Black-white-black horizontal tricolor with golden anchor toward hoist.

Norman Martin, March 1998


Car Command Pennant for Division Commander

As the one for Navy Batallion Commanders but the fields are black, white, red (top to bottom) and the anchor is a little bitter higher. Source: John R. Angolia and Adolf Schlicht, Die Kriegsmarine: Uniforms and Traditions, Volume 3.

Marcus Wendel, 20 September 2000


Car Command Pennant for Brigade Commander

As the one for Navy Batallion Commanders but the fields are black, white, black (top to bottom) and the anchor is a little bitter higher. Source: John R. Angolia and Adolf Schlicht, Die Kriegsmarine: Uniforms and Traditions, Volume 3.

Marcus Wendel, 20 September 2000


Car Command Flag for Regiment Commander

Rectangular flag black/white/black. Originally without anchor, but it was added 20 January 1943. Source: John R. Angolia and Adolf Schlicht, Die Kriegsmarine: Uniforms and Traditions, Volume 3.

Marcus Wendel, 20 September 2000


Car Command Pennant for Navy Batallion Commanders

Kommandozeichen am Kraftwagen für Abteilungskommandeure der Kriegsmarine

[Navy Batallion Commanders (Third Reich, Germany)] 3:5
by Jaume Ollé

White-black-white horizontal tricolor pennant with golden anchor.

Norman Martin, March 1998

Battalion Commander: as Brigade Commander but without anchor. Colors changed to white/black/white 15 June 1938 and anchor was added 20 January 1943. Source: John R. Angolia and Adolf Schlicht, Die Kriegsmarine: Uniforms and Traditions, Volume 3.

Marcus Wendel, 20 September 2000


Car Pennant for Other Members of the Navy

Dienstwimpel am Kraftwagen für die übrigen Angehörigen der Kriegsmarine

[Other Members of the Navy Car Pennant (Third Reich, Germany)]
by Jaume Ollé

Blue pennant, gold fringe, with golden party eagle carrying a wreath. Inside the wreath, a swastika.

Norman Martin, March 1998