Flag ribbon
A flag ribbon or commemorative banderole is a decorated ribbon, usually written on with writing, that is worn on a flag . It usually represents a special honor for the owner of the flag (ie a military association or an association). The flag ribbon was traditionally donated by a flag godmother .
history
Similar to the Anglo-Saxon Battle Honor , flag ribbons were initially awarded by the Prussian Army , later also in the various armies of the German Empire and in Austria-Hungary for special services in front of the enemy to troops and as a special honor.
The award of the flag ribbons for special merits in front of the enemy took place in special ceremonies after the end of a war and was part of the ritual of German military tradition.
Tradition was broken only at the end of the First World War . As a defeated army , the units of the German Army and the Reichswehr that emerged from it no longer received any special awards - these were limited to individuals.
After the seizure of power of the Nazis and the associated upgrading and glorification of the armed forces the flags tapes were newly introduced.
Before and during the Second World War , the planning of the award and z. Some of the commemorative banners have already been awarded. Among other things, flag ribbons for the occupation of Austria and the occupation of Czechoslovakia were issued.
The flag ribbons, which were awarded for special merits in front of the enemy, were mostly the same color as the ribbon buckle and the medals awarded for the event (the battle, the occupation of a country) , in the case of the Wehrmacht also like the arm bands .
Todays situation
Flag ribbons are given as a special honor in many armies and are the highest distinction in Germany with which a government can honor a military association. Today they are particularly indicative of the close relationship between a federal state and the troops stationed there.
Traditionally, a flag ribbon is awarded by representatives of the state or foreign state guests. The flag ribbon is colored in the gun color of the association. Flag ribbons make the respective troop flag unique.
In parades where the troop flag is carried, it is a special honor to be able to make the distinction on the flag shown to the association "public".
Flag ribbons in the civil area
Flag ribbons are awarded by almost all flag-bearing associations, but also by many disaster control and hazard prevention bodies such as the volunteer fire brigades . Some rifle clubs in particular follow a similar approach to the military when it comes to flag ribbons.
The type of flag ribbons and the requirements for their preservation depend on the traditions of the respective umbrella organizations .
