BACKGROUND: Following an age old military tradition the German armed forces of the Third Reich utilized a wide variety of identifying flags and pennants to distinguish Officers and Headquarters and included specific command flags and pennants. The Grand Admiral’s (Großadmiral), rank and command flag was introduced on March 8TH 1939 and followed the basic design of the Imperial Navy’s Grand Admiral’s rank and command flag that had been originally introduced in 1901 but with the addition of the Third Reich national eagle and swastika. The Großadmiral’s rank and command flag was produced in a variety of regulation dimensions depending on where it was to be flown. The size of this flag would seem to indicate it was intended for use on a vehicle. Of Note: Only two individuals were promoted to the rank of Großadmiral during the Third Reich with Erich Raeder achieving the rank on April 1ST 1939, which he held until his resignation on January 30TH 1943 being replaced by Karl Dönitz.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 29cm tall, 30cm long white cotton construction Großadmiral’s rank and command vehicle pennant with a multi-colored, printed image. The flag features a golden yellow Wehrmacht style national eagle with down-swept wings, clutching a canted swastika in it’s talons, with black and brown accents superimposed over multi-colored, diagonally angled, crossed Großadmiral’s batons and a black and white bordered black Iron Cross. The Großadmiral’s batons feature blue staffs with golden yellow, brown, silver and black accents and detailing. The batons each have a golden yellow, fouled anchor and a black Iron Cross within diamond shaped borders and fluted end pieces. Both sides of the pennant have the same image with the eagle facing towards the hoist edge, (forward). The fly edge of the flag has a dual-ply hem. Complete with original bunting rope and attachment clips. Unmarked. The pennant is in overall very nice condition with minimal age toning. Scarce rank/command pennant for the highest rank in the Kriegsmarine.