History

The flags of the Wehrmacht were initially the old tradition flags of the Imperial Army, which had also been the flags of the Reichswehr. New Wehrmacht flags were introduced on March 16, 1936. All individual colours of units were replaced by the Reich War Flag on August 28, 1944.

Flags and pennants were not only used for individual units, but also to identify high-ranking officers or command posts. Staff flags for commanding officers of units usually showed numbers and (Latin) letters, at least in times of peace, to help identify units more accurately.

There are also National Insignia Pennants (Hoheitszeichen) for officers that were used exclusively on motor vehicles.

The Command Flag of Groups, Army Groups, and Armies (Kommandoflagge Gruppe, Heeresgruppe, Armee) was introduced on April 19, 1933. It is a red square with a smaller square inside, divided into four equal squares, upper left and lower right in black, and upper right and lower left in white. The reverse is identical, but mirrored.