U Boat surrender flag...

[ive]

Hiya.

A local antiques centre has what it describes as a u boat surrender flag for sale.

It's black, quite 'open weaved' cloth (almost see through when held up to light). On one edge is a creamy white strip - where the string went through I guess.

There are some signs of damage/holes (moth?) to the flag, but not much.

Its about 30x50cm I'd guess - maybe bigger.

I've read that the u-boats were ordered to fly black flags at the end of the war.

Could this be real?, I thought I'd took some pics but the light was bad and they are unusable.

Has anybody got one of these?

[oldflagswanted]

Seems unlikely ...

... u boat surrender flag for sale. It's black, quite
'open weaved' cloth ... On one edge is a creamy
white strip ... Its about 30x50cm ... I've read that
the u-boats were ordered to fly black flags at the
end of the war. Could this be real? ...
Has anybody got one of these?

Hello ive:
Seems unlikely, as one has to to wonder where
the black material would have come from, as not
something from a u-boat's flag locker - see below.
OFW
(below - left) WW2 era German ship signal flags - none all black.

[John R.]

Exactly, the black flag was to be flown by the U-boat when it surrendered. Your problem is provenance. Was there any provided?

Book review here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n78_A6f5fWQ

[oldflagswanted]

black flag use ???

... the black flag was to be flown by the U-boat
when it surrendered. Your problem is provenance.
Was there any provided?
Book review here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n78_A6f5fWQ

Oddly the book cover seems to show
a u-boat surrender with a white flag.
OFW

[John R.]

They surrendered with a black flag OFW. Then the Royal Navy ensign was flown, if to the British. They of course surrendered in Canada and the US and elsewhere, but the flag you are looking at in the photo is the British naval flag.

John

[John R.]

Here is a U-boat in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

[John R.]

Another US flag

[John R.]

U 1009, the first U-boat to surrender, arrives at Loch Eriboll, Scotland after a voyage from Bergen. With her black surrender flag flying, U 1009 approaches escort ships of the Royal Navy. In the background is the Captain class frigate HMS BYRON of the 21st Escort Group.

and

another U-boat flying a black flag.

John

[oldflagswanted]

U-boat flag pole ...VVV

Here is a U-boat in Portsmouth, New Hampshire..........VVV

Interesting view of a US flag on a U-boat flag pole.
Looks like the swastika pole top has been removed.
..... OFW ......
..........
(My 1st WAF Avatar)

(below) Surviving example of an intact U-boat pole.

[Jeff V]

Excellent photos and explanation John!

[Mr.Jerry D]

I would think that while it may have been some sort of naval tradition, (perhaps Black was more visible at distance than white) it would seem quite odd to equip a boat with a flag specifically designed for surrender. So I would assume anything that was at hand was utilized for the purpose.

[oldflagswanted]

Period use view of U-boat flag pole with swastika top.
..... OFW ......
..........
(My 1st WAF Avatar)

[Kengir]

Super interesting, John. Thanks for providing the evidence to this!

-Jeremy

[John R.]

Also thanks to OFW for questioning the flag since it is an interesting subject (the surrender regulations applicable to U-boats) and the U-boat flag pole tops. I had no idea there was a NS symbol on top. Very interesting.

Like to know from the OP if he has been able to go back and get some shots of the flag with a flash and the provenance, if any.

John

[WWIIBuff]

Great thread, thank you John & OFW for the information. The only problem is that now there is something else I need in my collection, a u-boat flag pole.