German Empire

Kaiserreich

Last modified: 2000-01-07 by marcus wendel
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The schwarz-weiß-rot (black-white-red) German imperial flag was adopted by the North-German Union in 1867, as a combination of the black-white of Prussia and the red-white of the Hanseatic League. In 1871 it was adopted as merchant flag for the German Reich, and in 1892 promoted to national flag.
Norman Martin

• German imperial flags
• German states of 1897
• the Iron Cross

• German Imperial Army flags
• German overseas territories
• Personal Standards of the Emperor
• Germany

Merchant Ensign

The merchant ensign was the black, white, red horizontal tricolor.

State Ensign and War Ensign

The Iron Cross

The black cross in the canton represents the Iron Cross which was a Prussian order first established by King Fredrich William III 10 March 1813 for military valor or patriotic service in the 1813-15 war against Napoleon. It was revived in 1871 for the Franco-Prussian war and in 1914 for the first World War. It was also revived as a German order in 1939 by Hitler. Except for the formal meaning, there is no official significance, although it may have been inspired to some degree by the cross of the Teutonic Knights which is superficially similar.
Norman Martin, 15 April 1990

More information on the history of the Iron Cross (Eiserne Kreuz) at: http://www.magma.ca/~magnus/index.html
Santiago Dotor, 20 Apri 1999

1867 flag	1892 flag

In 1892 the Reichskriegflagge was promoted to the national flag, with small changes in the appearance of the eagle.

In 1919 the black-red-gold flag was adopted but as a compromise the black-white-red remained with a canton bearing the black-red-gold as commerce flag (and the war flag was the same plus an Iron Cross in the middle). The Nazis eliminated the red-black-gold in 1933 but continued to use the black-white-red (without the canton) as national and merchant flag until Sept. 15, 1935, when the more familiar Nazi flag was adopted uniformly (the war flag being a red field, black cross with swastika in the middle and Iron Cross in dexter chief.

So there is a connection between the black-white-red flag and the Nazis, since they re-introduced it as national flag in 1933.
Voslapp, 11 December 1997

National and Merchant Ensign

14) Kaiser's Broad Pennant

A white broad pennant, in the hoist the Imperial crown on a crossed scepter and sword on an Iron Cross on a white field. It is raised only by special command of the Kaiser. It is the highest command symbol of the Navy.(Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799).

16) Admiral's Flag

On a white field a narrow Iron Cross whose arms reach the edge of the flag. On a 3 master, flown from the top mast by an admiral, from the fore mast by a vice-admiral, from the rear mast by a rear-admiral; on a 2 master from the rear mast by an admiral, from the fore mast by a vice-admiral. 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. AFAIK, the complex rule on officer's flags expired with the end of the Empire.(Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.350, no.596, Flaggenbuch 1939, p.4)

17) Flag of the Inspector General of the Navy

by Jaume Ollé, 20 August 1998

The admiral's flag 16) with a red border occupying 1/5 of the length of the flag, outside of the cross. (Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.367, no.1016)

18) Flag of the Secretary of State for the Imperial Naval Office

by Jaume Ollé, 20 August 1998

The admiral's flag 16) with 2 crossed gold anchors in the lower hoist
(Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.350, no.595)

18a) Grossadmiral's flag

The admiral's flag with an imperial crown on 2 crossed batons at the center of the flag
(Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.367, no.1015)

19. Flag of the Naval Chief of Staff

The admiral's flag 16) with, at the center, a disk of white in which is contained a rope circle and a downward pointing rope sword (Illustrated NG p. 367, no.1019)

20) Vice Admiral's flag

The admiral's flag 16) with a black ball in the upper hoist. Used only for one mast ships during the empire. 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 Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.350, no.597, Flaggenbuch 1939, p.4).

21) Commodore's Flag and War Pennant

by Jaume Ollé, 20 August 1998

White swallow tailed flag with narrow Iron Cross in Hoist, extending to inner point of swallow tail. Also used by Senior officer of unit. This flag was probably in use as early as 1867, certainly by the mid 1880s and continued in use until 1945. (Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.350, no.600, Flaggenbuch 1939, p.5).

22) Flotilla Flag

23) Division Flag

by Jaume Ollé, 20 August 1998

White triangular pennant with narrow Iron Cross in Hoist, This flag was probably in use as early as 1867, certainly by the mid 1880s and continued in use until 1945. (Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.350, no.600, Flaggenbuch 1939, p.5). Continued in use until 1945, read: 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.

Marine Minister

by Jaume Ollé, 20 August 1998

24) Rear Admiral's flag

25) Jack

by Marcus Wendel, 19 June 1999

The Jack (Kriegsschiffgösch) was the black-white-red flag with an Iron Cross in the middle. The size of the Iron Cross is slightly larger than 2/3 of the height. The size of the jack 3/7 that of the ensign on the same ship. This design was used for the Jack 1933-1935 and for the Ensign (with adjustments as to size) for the same period. In that form, it was used for ceremonial purposes 1935-1945. (Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.350, no.602, Flaggenbuch 1939, p.8; note that the dimensions in the Flaggenbuch are for the ceremonial use of a flag of this design as an ensign and are almost certainly large for its use as a jack).

26) Merchant Flag with the Iron Cross

The Merchant Flag with the Iron Cross (Handelsflagge mit Eisernem Kreuz) was similar in design to Jack but with the cross touching the hoist edge of the flag. Height of cross is 5/9 of that of the flag. Adopted 1 July 1893. Flown by merchant ships commanded by reserve´or retired naval officers. (Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.367, no.1012)

27) Pilot's Flag

(Lotsensignal): the black-white-red flag with a white border. Used to request a pilot. (Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.350, no.603).

28) Flag of the Governors of German East Africa and Kiaochao

29) National Service Flag in the Competence of the Foreign Office

The National Service Flag in the Competence of the Foreign Office (Reichsdienstflagge im Bereiche des Auswärtigen Amtes) is the black-white-red flag with a white circular cut-out in the black and red stripe; In the white central disk an Imperial Eagle with the Imperial Crown. Adopted 8 Nov 1892 and 20 January 1893. Functions like the merchant flag 1) in German protected areas (Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.367, no.1009)

30) Pilot Flag in the Competence of the Foreign Office

The Pilot Flag in the Competence of the Foreign Office (Lotsenflagge im Bereiche des Auswärtigen Amtes) is like the National Service Flag but with a yellow vertical anchor between red letters L and V in the upper hoist Functions like the pilot flag (27) in German protected areas.

31) Customs Flag in the Competence of the Foreign Office

Service Flags (Dienstflaggen)

Foreign Office and Protected Territories (Auswärtiges Amt und Schutzgebiete): black over white over red flag with white disc in the middle with state arms crowned black eagle.

32) Imperial Navy

(Kaiserliche Marine) Like the National Service Flag, but instead of the eagle a golden crowned anchor in the disc. Flown by naval vessels not entitled to fly the war flag. Adopted 1893 and abandoned by 1921.(Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.367, no.1000)

33) National Postal Flag

The State Post Service (Reichs-Postamt) is like the National Service Flag, but instead of the eagle a golden post horn crowned with the Imperial crown in gold. Ships delivering mail fly this flag at the top mast and as jack, and the merchant flag at the stern. Adopted 1893 and abandoned by 1921. (Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, NG p.367, no.1011)

34) National Service Flag for other authorities

Other National Administrative Branches (Übrige Verwaltungszweige des Reichs) flew a flag like the national service flag for foreign authorities, but instead of the eagle an Imperial crown in gold. Flown by government vessels not qualified to fly the ensign or 28)-32). Adopted 1893 and abandoned by 1921. (Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, NG p.367, no.1010).

Overflow Management Branch

State Secretary of Navy

Commander-Admiral

Admiral

Vice-Admiral

Rear-Admiral

Commodore

War Ensign of German League

The war ensign of the German League (Deutscher Bund) was black-red-gold with a black eagle in a gold square in the canton (1848-1866). Without the canton it was the national flag and merchant ensign.(1848-1866).

The black-red-gold flags of 1848 were really in more or less official use as long as the Provisional Authority in Frankfurt lasted (roughly 1852), but were never formally abolished and hence were considered by some still to "exist" as late as 1866, or even later.
Norm Martin, 13 January 1998

Merchant Flag of North German League

The merchant flag of the North German League (Norddeutscher Bund) and of the German Reich was black-white-red (1867-1918 or 1919). It was also the national flag (1892-1919).

War Ensign of North German League

The war ensign of these was white with a black cross (not centered) fimbriated white and black, with the Prussian eagle in a white disc fimbriated black in the centre, and a black-white-red flag with a black Iron Cross in the canton (1867-1921).

General State Flag

The flags of German states were (generally horizontal stripes):

• Preussen: white-black. The emperor's and empress's standards and the standard of the imperial house are of similar pattern as the German ones, but on a red or white (house) background. The Landesflagge is black over white over black (ca. 1:5:1) with a black eagle in the white stripe touching the black stripes.
• Bayern: white-blue
• Sachsen (Kingdom): white-green
• Württemberg: black-dark red
• Baden: yellow-red-yellow
• Hessen: red-white
• Mecklenburg-Schwerin and Mecklenburg-Strelitz: blue-yellow-red and blue over white over red both reported.
• Sachsen (Grand-Duchy): black-yellow-green
• Oldenburg: red St-George-Cross on blue; also reported a red Scandinavian cross on blue, with (on the prime minister's standard) a white square at the crossing and arms on it.
• Braunschweig: blue-yellow
• Sachsen-Meiningen and Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha: green-white
• Anhalt: red-green-white
• Reuss senior branch and junior branch
• Schaumburg-Lippe: white-red-blue
• Lippe: yellow-red
• Waldeck und Pyrmont: black-red-yellow
• Lubeck: white-red
• Bremen: four red and four white horizontal stripes, at the hoist checked in two rows
• Hamburg: white castle on red

• Brandenburg: red-white
• Hannover: yellow white
• Hessen-Nassau: red-white-blue
• Ostpreussen: black-white
• Pommern: blue-white
• Posten: white-schwarz-white
• Rheinland: green-white
• Sachsen: black-yellow
• Schlesien: white-yellow
• Schleswig-Holstein: blue-white-red
• Westfalen: white-red
• Westpreussen: black-white-black
• Hohenzollernsche Lande: white-black