Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII Kriegsmarine Reichskriegsflagge, or naval war ensign, in the large regulation Size 8 measuring 200cm x 335cm, or approximately 78.7" x 131.9". It retains its Kriegsmarine Eagle / M acceptance stamp, regulation size marking, canvas header, and original machine embroidered maker label for Württembergische Cattunmanufaktur of Heidenheim.

The flag is constructed from a red wool or wool and cotton blend fabric with the characteristic wartime Reichskriegsflagge design. A large central white disc contains a mobile swas, while the black and white Balkenkreuz extends toward the edges of the field. The upper hoist canton bears a black Iron Cross on a white field, with the principal devices bordered in black and white.

A substantial canvas header runs along the hoist edge. The upper end retains its rope loop, while the lower halyard has been cut off and is no longer complete.

The header carries the Kriegsmarine acceptance marking:

Eagle / M

and is additionally stamped with the regulation designation and dimensions:

RKFL. Gr.8 200x335

identifying the flag as a Reichskriegsflagge in Größe 8, or Size 8, measuring 200cm x 335cm.

The reverse of the header retains its original machine embroidered maker label:

Württembergische
Cattunmanufaktur
Heidenheim a. Brz.

This identifies manufacture by Württembergische Cattunmanufaktur of Heidenheim. This is a known manufacturer of flags during the WWII Period.

The Size 8 dimensions correspond to a relatively large naval ensign intended for substantial vessels with displacements of 1,500 to 10,000 tons, which included Destroyers (3K tons) and Cruisers (8K tons). Period Kriegsmarine flag tables list this 200cm x 335cm size for larger ship classes rather than the much smaller flags typically associated with submarines. No specific ship provenance accompanies this example, so it should not be attributed to any particular vessel or class beyond its regulation size category.

Overall condition is very good and clearly service used. The fabric shows general age toning, staining to the canvas header, scattered wear, and several old stitched repairs. These repairs and handling marks are consistent with a flag that saw extended use rather than remaining in storage.

With its large Size 8 dimensions, Kriegsmarine Eagle / M acceptance marking, RKFL. Gr.8 200x335 regulation stamp, original Württembergische Cattunmanufaktur maker label, surviving upper rope loop, and service worn repairs, this is a strong example of a German WWII Reichskriegsflagge. The age toning, header staining, cut lower halyard, fabric wear, and old stitched repairs are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Kriegsmarine, German naval flag, wartime textile, or advanced WWII naval collection.

Designed personally by Adolf AH, this flag served the Heer and the Luftwaffe as their War Flag, and the Kriegsmarine as its War Ensign (the National Flag serving as Jack). This flag was hoisted daily in barracks operated by units of the Wehrmacht combined German military forces, and it had to be flown from a pole positioned near the barracks entrance, or failing this, near the guard room or staff building. New recruits in the latter part of World War II were sworn in on this flag (one recruit holding the flag and taking the oath on behalf of the entire recruit class with the recruits looking on as witnesses - before, this was done on the regimental colors).

The flag had to be formally hoisted every morning and lowered every evening. These hoisting and lowering ceremonies took the form of either an ordinary or a ceremonial flag parade. At the ordinary raising, the party consisted of the Orderly Officer of the Day, the guard, and one musician. At the ceremonial raising, one officer, one platoon of soldiers with rifles, the guard, the regimental band, and the corps of drums were all present.

The proportions of the flag are 3:5. Fusing elements of the NSDAP German Flag (swas and red background) with that of the old Imperial Reich War Flag (four arms emanating from off-center circle and Iron Cross in the canton), these flags were uniformly produced as a printed design on bunting.

Raised for the first time at the Bendlerstraße Building (Wehrmacht Headquarters) in Berlin on November 7, 1935, It was taken down for the last time by British occupation forces after the arrest of the Dönitz Government at the Naval Academy Mürwik in Flensburg-Mürwik, Germany, on May 23, 1945.

In his book, Inside the Third Reich, Albert Speer states that "in only two other designs did he (Adolf AH) execute the same care as he did his Obersalzberg house: that of the Reich War Flag and his own standard of Chief of State."