Flag for an Officer Commanding a Flotilla or a Squadron (Germany)

flotilla pennant (also squadron pennant), flotillenstander (auch geschwaderstander)

Last modified: 2019-07-30 by pete loeser
Keywords: flotilla | squadron |
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2:5 Image by Marcus Schmöger

• Squadron Commander pennant
• Flag for the Officer Commanding a Temporary Naval Unit - Gruppenstander

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Squadron Commander pennant

White swallow tailed flag with narrow Iron Cross in hoist, extending to inner point of swallow tail. [This pennant is flown] hung from a point [i.e. displayed with the hoist attached to a crossbar, like a horizontal vexillum]. This flag was probably in use as early as 1867, certainly by the mid 1880s and continued in use until 1945. This flag has continued in use by the Bundesmarine for the Squadron Commander although the rank of Commodore no longer exists.
Norman Martin, Dec 1997

According to the navy regulation [Marine Dienstvorschrift] MDv 161/1 (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung 1977), the command flag used by an officer commanding a flotilla is the Flotillenstander (flotilla pennant). This is a swallowtailed white flag with the Iron Cross as in the admirals' flag. As a flotilla pennant this is attached to a crossbar.
The same flag, but hoisted normally (not attached to a crossbar), is used as squadron pennant (Geschwaderstander).
Marcus Schmöger, 21 Nov 2001

Since the 1800s the German navy has hoisted a Flotilla Pennant on the Flotilla Commanders ship. Do you know if this pennant was hoisted on a crossbar to the Main mast?
I would also like to know to which tack (cord) the pennant was/is hoisted to on the Main mast? Do you know if it was to the starboard (right) or port (left) tack?
Thord Janson, 2 Aug 2006

Flag for an Officer Commanding a Temporary Naval Unit/Gruppenstander

Unterscheidungszeichen or distinguishing flags are used to show command or seniority in cases when ships are joined together accidentally or temporarily. These flags are used together with the masthead pennant. The Gruppenstander (group pennant) is the same as the Geschwaderstander (squadron pennant) and is used by the commanding officer of a temporary naval unit.
Marcus Schmöger, 21 Nov 2001