Original Item: One of a Kind. The NSDAP or Nationalsozialistische Deutsche ArbeiterPartei, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party), was originally founded in Munich as the DAP, Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (German Worker’s Party), on January 5TH 1919. When Adolf AH joined the DAP in the autumn of 1919 he was to reform what was basically a debating society into an active political party. Appointed as the first chairman of the party on July 29TH 1921, AH was to restructure it along para-military lines in a hierarchy.

This new NSDAP structure consisted of four ascending levels of government: the Ortsgruppenleitung (Local group leadership), the Kreisleitung (District leadership), the Gauleitung (Regional District leadership), and the Reichsleitung (National leadership). Each group was distinguished by a specific color of piping on the collar tabs and visor cap. From 1936 to 1939 in this scheme, light blue was for the Ortsgruppe level, black for Kreis level, burgundy red for Gau level, and gold yellow for the Reich level. After that the Kreis level changed to white piping.

When we first received this lovely fringed standard flag in, we assumed it was an SA Sturmfahne (Storm flag), but it is in fact an NSDAP Einheitfahne (Unit Flag), bearing a very nice Einheitfahnestück (Unit Flag Insignia) in the upper corner next to the header on both sides. It is the correct NSDAP brown color, with a light blue rayon border signifying it is from the Ortsgruppe (Local Group) level. In the middle is the chain stitched town name of Schifflingen, also known as Schifflange, located in the south of Luxembourg on the border with France. This is very close to the long disputed Alsace-Lorraine territory, and was under German control during WWII, so it would definitely have had its own local group of the NSDAP to help keep it in line.

In form, it does look very much like it was made using a standard German WWII Sturmabteilung (Storm Division) Political "Storm Flag" or Banner (Sturmfahne). It measures 47" x 53", and the hanger side has remnants of the fabric loops that originally have held metal hanger rings to attach the flag to a pole. It is in very good shape considering the age, showing some holes, tears, and moth damage. The wool body of these flags is unfortunately prone to this kind of damage, while the central swas emblem is made from light canvas, much more durable and less attractive to moths.

A very nice German WWII Political "Storm Flag" from the NSDAP local group of an occupied territory. Ready to research and display!