German Democratic Republic, East Germany, 1949-1990.
This flag was adopted on the 1st of October 1959 and then abolished on the 3rd of October 1990 and it also acted as a civil ensign from 1973-1990.
After Germany was defeated in World War II, there was no German government in place for many years to come, even though state governments were quickly formed which used all of the adopted flags. In 1946, the Allied Control Council used a merchant flag that was a copy of the international signal flag C but additionally, it boasted a swallow tail that can be viewed in an illustration in Smith 1975, p. 122.
After East and West Germany formed republics and their black, red and gold flags were authorized for use, this particular flag was used far less often and in 1952, it was completely abandoned. The German Communists, also referred to as the Socialist Unity Party, who were sponsored by the Soviet occupation authorities created the German Democratic Republic.
The black, red and gold features the arms complete with a hammer and compass that sit on a red disk that is completely surrounded by two ears of wheat that are wrapped into a wreath. It was used as a state flag from 1959-1990, and also as a merchant flag from 1973-1990.
From the Louise Veninga Collection.
