German Admiral Flag – Flottenstab Usage

Complete view of the 100 × 100 cm admiral’s flag associated with the Fleet Staff.

Function and Identification

This flag represents the rank and presence of a German admiral. Known as the "Dienstflagge eines Admirals", it was hoisted aboard ships, vehicles, or naval headquarters whenever an admiral was physically present and in command. It is square in shape, measuring 100 × 100 cm, and conforms to established specifications of naval authority flags.

This design was never altered to include Nazi symbols and thus maintained continuity from the Imperial era through the early Kriegsmarine period and into the modern Bundesmarine, where it remains in ceremonial use today.

Design Lineage and Symbolism

The flag features a white field with a central Iron Cross, outlined in black and white. It is a direct continuation of Imperial and Weimar-era admiral flags, preserving the traditional military symbolism of the Iron Cross while omitting any political or party-related emblems. Unlike the Reichskriegsflagge, which underwent several politically driven changes after 1935, this flag remained visually and functionally stable.

Confirmed Use and Possible Dating

A rectangular metal plate sewn to the hoist reads “1.11.38 – 21.10.39 Der Flottenstab”, indicating that the flag was used during this specific period by the Flottenstab, or central Fleet Staff command. Additionally, the red “Adm.” marking on the header confirms its association with admiralty-level use.

The exact production date of the flag is unknown. Based on fabric construction, stitching, and design consistency, it is likely from the late 1930s. However, due to the nature of naval stockpiling and reuse, the flag could have been manufactured earlier and repurposed or later re-marked for staff use.

Materials and Construction

The flag is made from thick wool bunting with double-stitched seams and reinforced corners. The hoist edge is sewn around a solid rope for shipboard use. The Iron Cross is appliquéd with layered fabric and high-tension stitching. No manufacturer label is visible, but quality and style match known Kriegsmarine patterns from the late 1930s and early 1940s.

A red depot stamp is visible near the header, faint but consistent with Kriegsmarine inventory markings of the era. These stamps were applied at naval depots upon issuance or inspection.

Engraved Plate and Postwar Analysis

The engraved plate showing the Flottenstab date range is almost certainly not original to the flag. The depth and consistency of the engraving, along with the mechanical regularity of the typeface, suggest postwar production using CNC or laser engraving equipment. Such technology did not exist in 1938–1939.

The plate is, however, sewn using thread nearly identical to that used in the header rope, raising the possibility that it was affixed at a later date using sympathetic materials to preserve visual harmony. It may have been added by a collector, institution, or for archival purposes.

Header showing the sewn-in plate marked '1.11.38 – 21.10.39 Der Flottenstab'.

Naval rope hoist and reinforced edge stitching.

Detail of wool texture and fabric structure.

Faint red depot stamp typical of Kriegsmarine-issued material.

Document found with the flag, noting Admiral Hermann Boehm’s position at that time.

Career summary of Admiral Hermann Boehm, included with the flag.

Close-up of the engraved plate, likely modern CNC or laser-made.

Possible Association with Admiral Hermann Boehm

This flag is accompanied by two original documents describing Admiral Hermann Boehm and his naval career. The sewn metal plate also matches precisely the period during which Boehm served as head of the Fleet Staff (Flottenchef), from 1 November 1938 to 21 October 1939.

While this temporal overlap and the admiralty marking (“Adm.”) strongly suggest a possible connection, no direct evidence confirms that the flag belonged personally to Admiral Boehm. It remains uncertain why documents about Boehm would accompany the flag, or why a plate indicating that specific period was affixed — unless it had direct relevance to him.

It is worth noting that several admirals held commands during this period, and the presence of Boehm’s papers may have been added later for context or provenance by a collector. Nonetheless, the question remains: Why mark this specific flag with dates and documentation that point only to him, if there were no original association?

Sources and References

• Ottfried Neubecker: Die deutschen Flaggen seit 1933, Hamburg 1992.
• Alfred Znamierowski: The World Encyclopedia of Flags, Lorenz Books 1999.
• FOTW: Flags of the World – Germany: Naval Rank Flags: www.fotw.info
• Bundeswehr / Bundesarchiv – usage of admiral flags in modern Germany.
• Private collection comparisons and auction records (Weitze, Hermann Historica).