DDR Regimental Banner

[David H]

Have since then wondered if all DDR truppenfahnen were pole mounted by the same number of red nails? Now from this thread I am also interested to find out what DDR Navy and/or Airforce truppenfahnen looked like?

The flag I have has 30 brass nails, I was once told the significance of the number, but promptly forgot, damn!!!!



I believe all armed forces banners are of the same basic design with only the fahnenspitzen base colour (and unit name if embroided in, not all were!!) giving service identity.



below is a navy 'schule' standard, note the dark blue base on spitzen.

[oldflagswanted]

about truppenfahnen pole nails...fahnennagel

The flag I have has 30 brass nails, I was once told the significance of the number, but promptly forgot, damn!!!!...

Red nails right, with the same color nails on all DDR truppenfahnen - NVA/VOPO/KG/GZT/CD, etc? Likewise, this nailing of the flag to the pole in
the German military dates back to the Imperial days when the last three
nails where driven home into the pole during the unit flag consecration
by the unit commander, the senior NCO, and lastly by the Church with
these last three nails symbolizing both a promise to the Trinity of God and to the state leader the Kaiser. This was done by using a special blessed small silver hammer - which is now by far more rare than the flags themselves! From the time of the 3rd Reich on, the unit flags were provided already fully nailed to the pole by the flag marker company, as most flags were presented in mass parades.<br><center>OldFlagsWanted.com</center><center><img src=http://members.tripod.com/~oldflagswanted/ddrflgm1.gif></center>

[Mike G.]

I'm now thinking along the lines that the word "Regimental" is a misnomer and is where some of the misunderstanding about these flags may be.

For example, the Fallschirmjager Unit (Willi Sanger 40th Bn) eventually grew in size from one Battalion to two in strength. If the "Balloon" had gone up, they reportedly were capable of immeditely raising an additional 3rd Battalion, bringing them to Regimental strength and capacity. However, this never occurred. And yet, from early on, they had their own "Regimental" Flag. Perhaps there is a more appropriate and official title for these type flags used by the East German military?

[David H]

Red nails right,

Alas no, plain brass, at some point probably polished but now dull with age.

[oldflagswanted]

Regimental term is English vs. German Truppenfahnen

I'm now thinking along the lines that the word "Regimental" is a misnomer and is where some of the misunderstanding about these flags may be... is [there] a more appropriate and official title for these type flags used by the East German military?

The term Regimental is really from the English use, but in England if your say Regimental flag they think you are talking about the flag flown outside the HQ on the flag pole with the regimental badge on same, not their parade trooped battalion colours, standards and guidons! In Germany I believe the more correct term for the type of flag this thread is all about is actually truppenfahnen, but after WW2 and especially due to the Soviet military structure like pattern unit flags could be for Divisions, Brigades, Regiments, Battalions, and I think maybe also down to some very special separate companies (Zug?). That is why it is likely that thousands of DDR truppenfahnen have existed, for which it would be really hard to have all of them ending up in the Dresden Museum? <br><center>OldFlagsWanted.com</center><center><img src=http://members.tripod.com/~oldflagswanted/ddrflgm1.gif></center>

[Mike G.]

Hi Ben,

I think your observation about the type flag which this thread is about, is correct, and that there are perhaps more of these in existence than one would at first think. Where they all are is another matter.

[oldflagswanted]

DDR Airforce Truppenfahnen photo ???

...I believe all armed forces banners are of the same basic design with only the fahnenspitzen base colour...

OK! As such here is a photo of what looks like a DDR NVA like Truppenfahnen, <p>but it seems to be being presented to DDR Airforce uniformed troops...<p>Likewise note the unit title on the <p>second photo - nearly across the whole top of the flag!
<br><img src=http://home.snafu.de/veith/MiGs/JG7Bild1.JPG><br>
<img src=http://www.nva-flieger.de/images/meinefotos/foto-truppenfahne-gr.jpg><br>Use tool bar slide to right to see the whole photo ---><br>
OldFlagsWanted.com <br> <img src=http://members.tripod.com/~oldflagswanted/ddrflgm1.gif>

[Mike G.]

Hi Ben,

Nice photos. I think from now on, I will refer to these flags using the term the East Germans did - Troop Flag or Truppenfahnen.

[oldflagswanted]

about Philology and Vexillology and more ???

...from now on, I will refer to these flags using the term the East Germans did - Troop Flag or Truppenfahnen..

Truppenfahnen would be right for modern German, but in English it would be Troop Colour, as originally from the soldiers uniform facings, and then carried over into the design of the unit flag, later in larger armies the troop branch type - the waffenfarbe, such as was used on these DDR fahnenspitzen. Likewise, flag (flaggen in German) is more of a generic term, whereas Fahnen denotes a non-naval ship flown military unit flag. Each language seems to have their own special word for these unique land forces military unit flags, like Drapaux in France. All in all an exercise really in esoteric philology and vexillology and such, but hey the essoteric is what militaria collecting is all about anyway? <br><center>OldFlagsWanted.com</center><center><img src=http://members.tripod.com/~oldflagswanted/ddrflgm1.gif></center>