BACKGROUND: The swastika, (a Sanskrit word meaning "well being"), is an ancient symbol that was utilized in numerous diverse cultures and signified both the cycle of life and the sun. The swastika was also a Nordic rune and the pagan Germanic symbol for Thor, God of Adventurers. During WWI the swastika began to be used to represent national and anti-Semitic leanings in such organizations as the Thule society and other German nationalistic movements and later, assorted Freikorps, (Free Corps), groups. In the midsummer of 1920 Hitler adopted the swastika as the premier symbol of the NSDAP, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, (National Socialist German Worker’s Party), and the first official swastika party flags were introduced. Shortly after Hitler gained power in 1933 he abolished the Weimar era, (Circa 1919-1933), national tri-color flag of black, red, and gold and reverted to the Hohenzollern Empire, (Circa 1871-1918), tri-color flag in black, white and red, which was to be flown in conjunction with the NSDAP swastika flag. Finally this dual flag arrangement was settled on September 15TH 1935, when the swastika flag was announced as the official national and mercantile flag of Germany. Although the National War Flag is most commonly associated as the flag flown by the Kriegsmarine, they also utilized the standard National flag. All German merchant marine vessels, including those owned by the Kriegsmarine, were also obligated to fly the national flag and a series of specific orders and regulations were drafted to ensure that the flag was flown at the proper place and time. Kriegsmarine warships at anchor in harbors also flew this example. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 74cm x 129cm, dual sided, printed, cotton construction flag features a red base field with a a roughly, 58cm diameter, central, white circular disc with a black printed, canted swastika to the center. The fly edge of the flag has a dual-ply hem and eight, parallel rows of reinforcement stitching while the top and bottom edges have six, parallel, rows of reinforcement stitching. The hoist edge of the flag has a small, dual-ply, rectangular, reinforcement panel to each corner. The hoist edge is trimmed in white, tunnel looped, cotton bunting for the suspension rope. The suspension rope is still intact and is looped at both the top and bottom edges. The bunting is well marked with a black inkstamped, "Eagle over M", indicating Kriegsmarine usage, the designation, "Gösch.", (Jack/Small Nautical Flag), the dimensions in centimeters, "80 x 135", and the manufacturer’s name. This example is a scarce size typically used by Uboats and Schnellboots according to the Kriegsmarine original records data.