Osprey Men-at-Arms 270 : Flags of the Third Reich (1) : Wehrmacht

The decision to reintroduce unit Colours for the armed forces of the new Wehrmacht involved many problems. No unit flags and standards had been produced since before 1914. Those flags that survived the Great War and Germany's subsequent revolutionary violence were, although held in esteem, considered unsuitable to represent the new military units. In many cases it was felt that their designs did not reflect the influence of the new political movement in Germany. Paul Casberg, the well-known master painter and illustrator, was commissioned to design the new Army Colours, a commission which, in his own words, he considered to be 'the most beautiful order I have ever received'. When first considering designs for the new regimental Army Colours Casburg contemplated introducing double-sided flags. After numerous tests and much discussion it was decided that this type of Colour would prove unsuitable. The decision was therefore taken that all unit flags were to be produced from a single piece of heavy-quality silk with their designs appliquéd and embroidered on both sides. Despite the introduction of the new National Socialist emblems, many design features of these new unit Colours and their accessories had their origins deep in German military history. Brian L. Davis examines the flags of the Wehrmacht, in this first of three books concerning flags of the Third Reich accompanied by plenty of contemporary photographs, and eight full page colour plates by Malcolm McGregor.

Contents

• Flag Terminology
• Colours
• Emblems
• Parading
• The National War Flag
• Army Flags
• Army Standards
• Kriegsmarine Flags
• Luftwaffe Flags
• The Legion Condor
• The Plates