Nazi German merchant ensign (1935-1945)

Nazi German merchant ensign, 1935-45 pattern. It was transferred to the Museum from the Naval War Trophies Committee in 1947 and was said to come from a convoy destroyed by Rear-Admiral Phillip Mack (1892-1943) off Sfax, Tunisia, on 16 April 1941. The convoy was of five Italian ammunition ships bound for Tripoli and escorted by three destroyers. All eight vessels were either sunk or set on fire.

The ensign is made of wool bunting with a cotton hoist and is machine sewn, with a bolt-rope in the hoist fixed to a bronze clip at the top and a loose tail below. The design, printed onto the surface, comprises a red field with a white disc bearing a black swastika in the centre.

Object Details

ID: AAA0477
Collection: Flags
Type: Civil ensign
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Bonner Fahnenfabrik
Places: Germany
Events: World War II, 1939-1945
Date made: circa 1941
People: Mack, Phillip
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: flag: 1219.2 x 2032 mm