War merit pennant

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War merit pennant in real color
Official representation of the war merit flag
Official sample award form

The war merit pennant was donated on May 16, 1941 by Adolf Hitler . It was seen as external recognition for outstanding services to warfare, which leaders of ships not sailing under the imperial war flag could acquire. The war merit pennant has nothing to do with the War Merit Cross (1939) .

Appearance and texture

The war merit pennant was a red pennant in which there is a round white field with the iron cross surrounded by a black wreath of oak leaves ; On the wreath above the Iron Cross was a black Wehrmacht eagle, its head facing the pole.

Dimensions

  • Unit of measurement: Height (H): Length (L) = 3: 5.
  • Radius of the rounding at the flying end: 2/9 height
  • White field diameter: 4/9 height
  • Distance of the oak leaf wreath (in its thin places) from the red ground: 1/24 height
  • greatest thickness of the oak leaf wreath: 1/15 height
  • smallest thickness of the oak leaf wreath: 1/16 height
  • Diameter of the iron cross: 5/18 height
  • Width of the black and white border of the Iron Cross: 1/60 height
  • Width of the black border of the Iron Cross: 1/120 height
  • Width of the white border of the Iron Cross: 1/120 height
  • Width of the ends of the arms of the Iron Cross: 5/36 height
  • Distance of the center of the circles that form the border of the Iron Cross in front of the red background: 1/36 height
  • Distance between the swastika and the iron cross: 1/180 height
  • Diagonal of the swastika square: 1/9 height
  • Width of the Wehrmacht eagle: 1/5 height
    • Wehrmacht eagle rises above the edge of the white field by 1/20 height.

Made to size

The pennant was made in the following sizes by trade (according to DIN Tex 1000):

  • Size 1: 20 × 35 cm, (only boats)
  • Size 2: 40 × 65 cm, (ships up to 500 GRT)
  • Size 4: 70 × 120 cm, (ships up to 2,500 GRT)
  • Size 6: 100 × 170 cm, (ships up to 10,000 GRT)
  • Size 7: 150 × 250 cm. (Ships from 10,000 GRT)

Attachment method

The war merit pennant was in the fore on the ships in question, and in boats on a stick in the bow . However, the pennant was not allowed to be placed on land or on motor vehicles. Flags that were usually carried in the pre-top, e.g. B. the flag of the country of destination, were to be placed next to the war merit pennant.

Award practice

The right to use the war merit flag was granted, in the name of Hitler, by the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy after prior agreement with the Reich Minister of Transport. The hired skipper received a certificate of authorization when the pennant was handed over.

Implementing provisions

The implementing provisions for the war merit pennant were further specified on July 24, 1941.

Award requirements

The skippers could only be rewarded with war merit pennants for deeds if they:

  • a) took place on a ship not sailing under the Reich War Flag,
  • b) required the full commitment of the ship, the skipper or the crew,
  • c) were of excellent value in warfare.

The war merit pennant could be awarded to all masters of ships, regardless of their size and purpose. In exceptional cases it could also be awarded to foreigners if it was certain that the foreign skipper was willing to accept this pennant.

Award proposals

The award proposals were to be submitted to the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy for blockade breakers by the Reich Transport Minister (Maritime Shipping Office) or by the Chief of Staff of the Naval War Command, otherwise by official channels by the commanders, chiefs, commanders, commanders etc. of the parts of the Wehrmacht, for their area or Tasks the merit to be rewarded was worth. The Reich Minister of Transport had to be involved before the final decision. The suggestions had to contain the following information:

  1. First name and first name of the skipper,
  2. Birthday and place,
  3. Nationality,
  4. Job title,
  5. Patent as ...,
  6. Military rank,
  7. Place of residence and residence,
  8. Name of the guided ship,
  9. Ship owner (company, name),
  10. Brief explanation and the
  11. Opinion from the proposer's superiors.

Others

The entrusted had to procure the war merit pennant himself in the trade. It was only sold on presentation of the certificate of authorization. The pennant could be placed by the authorized person on every ship led by him and in every boat used by him. Unauthorized placing of the pennant was a criminal offense.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Ordinance on the War Merit Pennant of May 16, 1941, Reichsgesetzblatt of May 27, 1941, No. 57, Article 1
  2. ↑ Ordinance on the War Merit Pennant of May 16, 1941, Reichsgesetzblatt of May 27, 1941, No. 57, Article 2
  3. ↑ Implementing provisions for the Ordinance on War Merit Pennants of July 24, 1941, Reichsgesetzblatt of August 12, 1941, No. 88, Article VI, Paragraph 1
  4. ↑ Implementing provisions of the Ordinance on War Merit Penny of July 24, 1941, Reichsgesetzblatt of August 12, 1941, No. 88, Article VI, paragraphs 2 and 3
  5. ↑ Ordinance on the War Merit Pennant of May 16, 1941, Reichsgesetzblatt of May 27, 1941, No. 57, Articles 4 and 5
  6. ↑ Implementing provisions of the Ordinance on the War Merit Pennant of July 24, 1941, Reichsgesetzblatt of August 12, 1941, No. 88, Article I.
  7. ↑ Implementing provisions of the Ordinance on War Merit Penny of July 24, 1941, Reichsgesetzblatt of August 12, 1941, No. 88, Article II
  8. ↑ Implementing provisions of the Ordinance on the War Merit Pennant of July 24, 1941, Reichsgesetzblatt of August 12, 1941, No. 88, Article III
  9. ↑ Implementing provisions for the Ordinance on War Merit Pennants of July 24, 1941, Reichsgesetzblatt of August 12, 1941, No. 88, Article IV
  10. ↑ Implementing provisions of the Ordinance on War Merit Penny of July 24, 1941, Reichsgesetzblatt of August 12, 1941, No. 88, Article VII