Germany 3rd Reich Flag - "Reichsdienstflagge" - 1935-1945.
The government of the 3rd Reich between 1935 and 1945 used this Reichsdienstflagge, or German State Flag and Ensign. Upon its adoption, it replaced all the flags of the German Lander, or states and was used by government agencies and all vessels that were not commissioned as warships.

The design deviates from the national flag in that the swastika is outlined inside a black accent ring and is displayed upright on the red field. In the upper hoist is the Reichsadler, or the national eagle of the 3rd Reich.

In Germany during the Third Reich, (1933 to 1945), wide use was made of flags for political propaganda. The swastika became the ubiquitous symbol of this era and flag usage permeated every facet of public life. Because these flags were plentiful in a vanquished Germany, returning GIs brought back plain "Nazi party" flags, in addition to government agency flags, military and naval flags, internal political sub-divisional flags, and even antique flags from bygone eras.

Little is known about the history of this particular flag. It was acquired as a GI "bring back" and is a companion piece to an armband taken by the same group of soldiers (ZFC0963). The arm band is inscribed with the names of eight American soldiers: P.F.C. Gardin; P.F.C. Wm. Hebebrand; P.F.C. Berenebaum; PFC Prwett; Pfc W. Begeman; S/Sgt Aasen; Sgt. Clark and PFC Minnich. Presumably, these are soldiers from the same unit that took both the armband and the flag.

Provenance: Acquired through purchase.

ZFC Important Flag

Sources:


State Flag and Ensign 1935-1945 (Germany), Reichsdienstflagge, Flags of the World, 2 May 2012, from: http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/de1935~s.html

Political and Civil Flags of the Third Reich 1932-1945, Flags of Our Ancestors, 2 May 2012, from: http://www.loeser.us/flags/nsdap_civil.html

Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection