German States: Brandenburg and Prussia

Last modified: 2000-01-07 by marcus wendel
Keywords: brandenburg | germany | prussia | elbing | danzig | free city of danzig | konigsberg | memel | stralsund | stettin |
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FLAGS OF GERMAN STATES

From the middle ages to the present

• Part I: Brandenburg and Prussia, The Teutonic Knights
• Part II: Brandenburg and Prussia, 1300-1800
• Part III: Brandeburg and Prussia, 1800-1870
• Part IV: Brandenburg and Prussia, 1871-
• Brandenburg 1945-

Part IV: Brandenburg and Prussia (IV)

1871-

56) Prussia-State Flag (Landesflagge) 1905.

by Jaume Ollé, 15 August 1998

57) Prussia- Ensign and Service Flag. 1905

by Jaume Ollé, 15 August 1998

The ensign must have the iron cross in the canton. The eagle has the design introduced around 1890. From 1 October 1867 until 1918 when it disappeared, the ensign was used only on inland waters.
Mario Fabretto, 17 August 1998

57a) Merchant Ensign

by Jaume Ollé, 15 August 1998

The structure correspond to the national flag and merchant ensign until 1863, but the eagle design is the one introduced around 1890 when the flag was again rectangular.
Mario Fabretto, 17 August 1998

57b) Royal Ships

by Jaume Ollé, 15 August 1998

This is the war ensign c.1890-1918 used on inland waters.
Mario Fabretto, 17 August 1998

57c) State Ensign used on inland waters 1895-1918

by Jaume Ollé, 15 August 1998

57d) Pilot signal

White black bordered flag.
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

57e) Lance pennant

White over red swallow tailed
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

57f) Fisheries pennant

White pennant (ratio c. 4:5) with red letters FA in the center
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

58) Prussia-Royal Standard.

Like no. 42, but slightly lighter red color and with the inscription "Gott mit uns 1870" in the Iron Cross. Adopted 1871. Abolished 1918 [Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799, NG p.367, no.994, National Geographic 1917 no.994]
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

The Prussian royal standard was designed by the king himself in 1843. Later, on 3 August 1871 the emperor's standard was adopted, rather similar to the Prussian royal standard. The emperor's standard had from the beginning the words GOTT MIT UNS and the date 1870, this one relative to the Order of the Iron Cross (instituted 1813, renewed 19 July 1870), on it. When in 1871 the king of Prussia became Emperor of Germany, the emperor's standard gradually became more important than the royal one, on which first were added the words (c. 1871), and then the date 1870 and the red lining on the royal crown (c.1889). Why these modifications were made at different times I don't know. On the other way the queen's standard was adopted in 1868 and that of the royal family in 1858. During the time all these standards were modified in the design of the crowns, the eagles and, as in the case of the queen standard, also in the overall design. Mario Fabretto, 22 August, 1998.

59) Prussia-Queen's Standard.

A red flag, at the center a coa: on a silver field a gold crowned (with the Prussian royal crown) heraldic Prussian eagle (without escutcheon), surrounded by the chain of the order of the Black Eagle; at each diagonal side of coa, a gold crown, along each edge 4 small black eagles even spaced (a total of 12). In the upper hoist a thin Iron Cross. In use 1871-1918. [Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799]
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

In use since 1868. The iron cross in the canton was removed around 1880.
Mario Fabretto, 17 August 1998

60) Prussia- Princes of Royal House (Hohenzollern).

Like no. 58, but field is white. In use 1871-1918. [Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4, facing p. 799]
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

In use since 1868. The iron cross in the canton was removed around 1880.
Mario Fabretto, 17 August 1998

61) Prussia-Service flag for State Vessels and State Maritime Buildings.

by Jaume Ollé, 2 February 1998

In the black-white-red with a white circular cut-out in the back and red stripe; In the white central disk, a yellow fouled anchor crowned with the Imperial crown in gold. A white square in the upper hoist filling the whole of the height of the black stripe. In the square the Prussian eagle. Fixed 24 January 1894, adopted 5 February 1895, and abandoned by 1918. (Illustrated Crampton, p.42, Meyers Konversations- Lexikon, 6 ed., vol. 4,NG p.367, no.999 and 1003).
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

62) Prussia-Service flag for Pilot Vessels.

by Jaume Ollé, 2 February 1998

Like no.61, but with the anchor between red letters L and V.
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

63) Prussia-Service flag for Customs Vessels

by Jaume Ollé, 16 August 1998

64) Prussia-Service flag for Fisheries Vessels

by Jaume Ollé, 16 August 1998

Fixed 24 January 1894 and adopted 5 February 1895. The ensigns for sea services corresponded to the German service flag of the time with the small coat of arms of Prussia in the canton and others, eventually, emblems. They were abolished in 1918. During the same time the ensigns for inland waters services were based on the Prussian war ensign.
I think that the translation of "Fischerei-Aufsicht" (from which the F and the A in the flag), should be "guardianship of [sea] fishing".
Mario Fabretto, 17 August 1998

65) Prussia-Landesfarben.

by Jaume Ollé, 17 August 1998

Having grown to an enormous state scattered over most of the German empire, Prussia found it convenient to organize administrative subdivisions called provinces. Each of these had "land colors". As a matter of convenience, I will list only those of the old historic part here and list the provinces in other parts of Germany with their respective geographic sections.

66) East Prussia (Prussian Province) Landesfarben.

by Rob Raeside, 1997-12-22

67) Posen (Prussian Province) Landesfarben.

Red-white horizontal Bicolor. In use 1815 to 1886
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

68) Posen (Prussian Province) Landesfarben.

White-black-white triband. Officially adopted 9 Nov 1886. Abandoned 1918
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

69) West Prussia (Prussian Province) Landesfarben.

Black-white-black horizontal triband. Officially adopted 9 Nov 1886. Abandoned 1918
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

70) Silesia (Prussian Province) Landesfarben.

White-yellow horizontal Bicolor. Officially adopted 22 Oct 1882.
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

71) Brandenburg (Prussian Province) Landesfarben.

Red-white horizontal Bicolor. Officially adopted 22 Oct 1882
Norman Martin (1998-01-20) .

With the overthrow of the monarchy in November 1918, Prussia, like Germany, became a republic. As a result, many of its old flags were abandoned. However, the constitution of 30 Nov 1920 continued use of the Landesfarben (no. 65). In addition some other flags were adopted

72) Prussia - State Flag.

by Rob Raeside, 22 December 1997

73) Prussia-Service flag for State Vessels.

by Jaume Ollé, 17 August 1998

On 2 October 1933 the design of the eagle was modified. The service flag was abolished on 31 October 1935.
Mario Fabretto, 17 August 1998

74) Grenzmark Posen-Westpreussen Prussian Province) Landesfarben.

Divided in thirds horizontally and in half vertically. Left Black-white-black, right White-black-white. Adopted 1920. Abolished 1935
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

75) Lower Silesia (Prussian Province) Landesfarben.

White-yellow horizontal Bicolor. Adopted 1920. Abolished 1935
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

76) Upper Silesia (Prussian Province) Landesfarben.

Yellow-blue horizontal Bicolor. Adopted 1920.Abolished 1935
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

I have also seen flags consisting of the Landesfarben with coats of arms at the center. These would appear to be either flags of the provincial authorities (most likely) or unauthorized variants:

77) East Prussia (Prussian Province)

Possible administrative flag. Like no. 66, but with coat of arms, consisting of a silver field with a black Prussian eagle, at the center.
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

This one is only a guess. We don't have any indication about "administrative flags" for German kingdom's lander.
Mario Fabretto, 17 August 1998

78) Brandenburg (Prussian Province)

by Jaume Ollé, 17 August 1998

79) Grenzmark Posen-Westpreussen (Prussian Province).

by Jaume Ollé, 17 August 1998

80) Lower Silesia (Prussian Province)

by Jaume Ollé, 17 May 1998

81) Upper Silesia (Prussian Province)

by Jaume Ollé, 17 August 1998

82) Upper Silesia (Prussian Province)

Possible administrative flag. Like no. 75, but with coa, like no.81 , at the center. If real, presumably a transitional form around 1920.
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

After world war I, the district of Memelland was made an autonomous region of Lithuania.
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

83) Memelland. 1920-1939

by Jaume Ollé, 17 May 1998

"The arms of Memel Country are the arms of Memel City. The arms drawing stems from a City seal dated from the second half of the 13th century or from the 14th century. The seal shows in its center a gate-tower. Laterally, a rampart walk with crenels is outlined. Below the City walls is a ship hull. The seal symbolizes the fortifications of the City through the representation of the gate-tower, the lower [lateral] walls and the wooden scaffoldings, which had been built from the model of the so-called castle of Koggen and had the function of defense towers in this region poor in building stone. After they had been replaced with stone towers, their meaning was no longer understood and they were considered as beacons (scaffoldings which had been erected on beaches as boundary marks). It was not understood why such beacons stood behind the wall crenels or upon them. The crenels were therefore removed and the City walls were transformed in wharf walls. The ship without mast in front of the gate-tower evidently represents a shipyard."
contributed in German by Carsten Linke, 12 July 1997, translated by Ivan Sache, 22 July 1997

83a) Pilot signal

by Jaume Ollé, 17 May 1998

Source: Crux Australis 14

83b) Landersfarben

Horizontal green, white, red. Source: Crux Australis 14.
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

Memelland was a German territory until the end of the World War I. The name stemmed from the capital city, Memel, today called Klaipeda. By the Peace Treaty of Versailles (1919) the Memelland (a rather artificial name) was separated without referendum from the beaten German Empire and occupied by French troops. It got a status comparable to a free state under international observation. That was the time when on the 25th February 1920 a golden-yellow over red horizontally devided flag was created by virtue of an embassador conference. In the upper corner, on a black fringed red circle symbols out of the Memel city arms were illustrated: a gate tower, wharf elements and a boat, all coloured in yellow. During the Ruhr crisis in 1923 Lithuanian volunteer irregulars occupied the Memelland, followed by the formal annexation of the Memelland by Lithuania. Hence the Memelland was part of the Lithuanian Republic, legally enjoying an autonomous status, but in fact under martial law. In 1939 Nazi Germany forced the return of the Memelland to Germany.
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

I don't know if the hoisting of the Memelland flag was allowed under Lithuanian occupation resp. supremacy. It's not probable that under the Nazi regime the 1920 flag could be re-used, since the Nazis suppressed all state flags like the Bavarian one to push only the Hakenkreuzflagge (swastika flag). From 1944 onwards the Baltic states were conquered by the Soviet troops. Stalin revived the three Baltic states Estonia, Lithuania (including the Memelland) and Latvia, but they became communist puppet states. It is very unlikely that the Memelland flag could be hoisted during this period or later again.
Dieter Linder, 5 April 1998

84) Danzig Free City. City flag.

by Jaume Ollé, 22 December 1997

by Jaume Ollé, 9 August 1998

85) Free City of Danzig. Postal Flag.

by Jaume Ollé, 19 August 1998

86) Free City of Danzig. Harbor Authority.

White red vertical bicolor, in white stripe, the arms of Poland, in red stripe the arms of Danzig. In use 1920-1939
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

86b) Free City of Danzig. Police.

by Jaume Ollé, 19 August 1998

by Jaume Ollé, 19 August 1998

On 20 July 1932, the the chancellor, Franz von Papen made a coup d'état and ousted the elected Braun-Severing government of Prussia. After the Nazis seized control, the states were converted to mere administrative divisions. Unlike other states like Bavaria, the effective abolition of the Prussian state was to be permanent since shortly after the allied victory, the Allied Control Council officially dissolved Prussia.

87) Brandenburg

Red-white-red triband. White stripe 1/5 of height. Ratio 2:3. Colours, but not form, adopted 24 Oct 1945. Adopted formally 16 Nov 1945 (15 Dec 1945?). Abolished 23 July 1952 when the states of the DDR were abolished. [Illustrated Kannik, The Flag Book 1957, FOTW-ws]
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

88) Brandenburg

by Jaume Ollé, 17 May 1998

An article by Jürgen Rimann, a German vexillologist specialized in car flags, reports on these Brandenburg flags. The complete title of the article is "Flaggenführungen an Dienstkraftfahrzeugen in Ostdeutschland von 1945- 1952 (2)" [= "Flag Usage at Service Cars in East Germany from 1945 to 1952, Part 2"], in: Der Flaggenkurier, Nr. 4, 1996, p. 23-27.

The passage (translated) is:

"[...] Till 1945 the colors of Brandenburg were red and white, the arms showed the red Brandenburg eagle on white. On 24 October 1945 the presidency of the Provincial Administration of Mark Brandenburg decided: 'The colors of the province are red and white in the arrangement of red, white and red.' 'The colors of the state are red, white and red' was also stipulated by the constitution of Mark Brandenburg from 6 February 1947. "On 16 November 1945 the presidency voted for new arms: 'Red, white and red, in the white fess an oak tree in front of a rising sun, in the upper red field a shield in the colors of the City of Brandenburg (blue, white and green), in the lower the number 1945."

It should be added also that a newly published article by Karl-Heinz Steinbruch in the well-known heraldic magazine "Herold-Jahrbuch" states the above mentioned facts. (Steinbruch, Karl-Heinz: Die Entstehung der Landeswappen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Ein Beitrag zur Geschichte der Staatsheraldik, Herold-Jahrbuch NF, Band 2 (1997), S. 103-141, Berlin 1997, ISBN 3-9804875-1-2.)

In the constitution not adopted before 6 February 1947, article 1, paragraph 3 fixes: "Die Landesfarben sind rot-weiß-rot [= "The state's colors are red, white and red]."
The problem is in my opinion that the first arms were described as red with a silver/white fess. But what is the exact width of a heraldic fess? There are only heraldic customs, but no rules in this respect. Regularly the fess is presented narrower than the upper and lower field created by it. Thus it seems to be understandable that a flag deriving from the arms would have unequal stripes.
On the other hand, the Austrian arms are also described as "red with a silver fess", but the flag shows equal stripes of red, white and red!
Unless we will have more exact information -- and in my opinion Pascal Vagnat seems to have the best ones -- the flag was clearly to be red, white and red, but the writers of the laws forgot to define the widths. That should not surprise us in respect to the year of adoption.
Finally on 16 November 1945 the exact proportions of the flag were fixed as 2:1:2. It is very unlike and I did never hear from a LATER change (or re-change?) to the proportions 1:1:1.
The only assumption one can risk is that during the first month (24 October to 16 November 1945) the flag was erroneously or in a lack of precise laws shown in proportions of 1:1:1.
Dieter Linde, 26 April 1998

89) Berlin State Flag 1954-

by Jan Oskar Engene, 6 December 1995

90) Berlin Service Flag 1954

Same as no. 89, but with white shield with the bear replacing the figure of the bear. Above the shield a mural crown. [Illustrated Talocci Guide to the Flags of the World 1977, p.35]
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

91) Brandenburg.

by Zeljko Heimer

Red-white horizontal bicolor. In the center of red stripe a red eagle. The red stripe has a white half square cut out to provide room for eagle. Adopted 1990. [DK Ultimate Flags of the World,p.121]
Norman Martin (1998-01-20)

See Brandenburg for post-WW2 flags.

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