World War 2 – Flags of War
World War 2 Flags: Axis & Allies
Contents
- World War 2 Flags: Axis & Allies
- What is a Naval Ensign?
- What is a Naval Jack?
- World War 2 Flags of the Allied Powers
- Australia National Flag of World War 2
- United Kingdom National Flag of World War 2
- United Kingdom Naval Ensign of World War 2
- United States National Flag of World War 2
- United States Naval Jack of World War 2
- Soviet Union National Flag of World War 2
- Soviet Union Naval Ensign of World War 2
- Poland National Flag of World War2 (Government in Exile)
- Poland Naval Ensign of World War 2
- Free France National Flag of World War 2
- U.N. Four Freedoms Flag of World War 2
- World War 2 Flags of the Axis Powers
Since the dawn of nation-states, national flags have symbolized a country’s people, ideals, identity, and history. National flags represent the values and beliefs of the people of that country, and during World War 2, these flags were used to define what the respective countries were fighting for.
While some flags used during the Great War have changed since then, the importance of national flags has remained the same. This article looks at the major Allied and Axis power national and naval flags (jacks and ensigns) used during World War 2. These flags are a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices made by the people of those countries during the war and serve as a reminder of the importance of national flags in representing a country’s people, ideals, identity, and history.
A naval ensign is a national flag used at sea on a yardarm and flown at the stern of a ship when at anchor or in port. They can also be flown from the gaff of a ship and, in some navies, also refer to the rank of a junior officer. Naval ensigns are used by a given country’s navy, while a civil ensign is flown by pleasure craft and merchant vessels (some countries will have please craft fly a different flag). Some countries only employ one ensign, and several countries use larger versions of the naval ensign, called battle ensigns, when ships head into battle.
A naval jack is another national flag flown by warships (and other select vessels based on the country) at the head or front of a ship. They are typically flown in port, at anchor, or if the ship is dressed on a special occasion. Once underway, the naval jack is hauled down on the ship.
World War 2 Flags of the Allied Powers
Australia National Flag of World War 2
Australian National Flag Meaning: The Australian national flag used in World War 2 was comprised of three components: The Union Jack (UK or British flag) in the upper left-hand corner, the Southern Cross on the right half of the flag, and the “Star of Federation” in the lower, left corner of the flag. The Union Jack in the flag is meant to show that a European country’s first colonization of Australia was by Great Britain (at first as a penal colony). The Southern Cross is a famous star constellation that can be seen from all of Australia’s territories and states, and the Star of Federation is a seven-pointed star that represents the six Australian states and one for the nation’s territories used on the flag.
United Kingdom National Flag of World War 2
United Kingdom National Flag Meaning: The UK flag flown during World War 2 is blue, containing the red cross of Saint George, the patron saint of England. This is edged in white and then superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. This is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. The flag is commonly called the Union Jack, but the proper name is the Union flag. The British flag has been the basis for several other Commonwealth countries and British overseas territories.
United Kingdom Naval Ensign Meaning: The British naval ensign used during World War 2 is commonly called the “White Ensign.” It became the only ensign used by the Royal Navy in 1864 and was used by Nelson at Trafalgar. The Royal ensign continues to be used by the Royal Navy at this time.
United States National Flag of World War 2
United States National Flag Meaning: The U.S. flag used during World War 2 was the 48-star flag and was the official flag of the U.S. from 1912 to 1959. The flag’s 48 stars represented the 48 states in the country at the time (Alaska and Hawaii were territories during World War 2), and the 13 red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies at the time of the nation’s founding. The U.S. national flag is also the naval ensign flown on American warships.
United States Naval Jack Meaning: The U.S. naval jack used during World War 2 is a blue flag containing a star for each state (48 during World War 2). The same jack was flown on U.S. Navy warships through 2002 when the Secretary of the Navy issued Instruction 10520.6, dated 31 May 2002, which directed all U.S. navy ships to fly the First Naval Jack during the Global War on Terrorism. The switch was made on September 11th, 2002, and remained in place at the time of this writing.
/td>
Soviet Union National Flag of World War 2
Soviet Union National Flag Meaning: The Soviet Union (USSR) flag is plain red and contains a hammer crossed with a sickle and a red star in the upper hoist. The sickle is meant to symbolize the agricultural workers of the nation, and the hammer the industrial employees. The red star is representative of the communist party rule. The Communist Party of the USSR replaced the Imperial Russian flag with the Soviet flag in 1923.
Soviet Union Naval Ensign Meaning: The USSR naval ensign was used from 1935 to 1992 (the collapse of the Soviet Union). Once the nation collapsed, the ensign was replaced by the traditional flag of Russia containing the blue “Cross of Saint Andrews” on a white field that was first introduced during the time of Peter the Great.
Poland National Flag of World War2 (Government in Exile)
Poland National Flag Meaning: The Polish national flag of the government-in-exile was the official flag after the Soviet Union and Germany had occupied the country in September of 1939 (start of World War 2). The exiled government would command the Polish armed forces operating outside of Poland. Although the government was largely unrecognized after the conclusion of World War 2, it would remain in existence until the fall of Communism in the country in 1990 when it formally passed on responsibilities to the new Polish government. The symbol on the flag combined the letters of P and W to stand for “Polska Walczaca” or “Fighting Poland” in English. It also has an anchor representing a symbol of hope (and was a common sight across the country as graffiti).
The Polish Navy used the same ensign from 1927-1945 and again in 1989. Although Germany and the USSR occupied the country during World War 2, the Polish Navy operated 27 ships, including 5 submarines and 11 torpedo boats, during the war. The country’s ships could escort more than 780 convoys, sank 12 enemy ships, including five submarines, and shot down 20 aircraft. The Polish Navy would see 450 sailors die during World War 2 and would conduct integrated operations with other Allied navies during the war.
Free France National Flag of World War 2
The French citizens and fighters who fled the Nazis and those who remained behind in occupied northern France constituted the Free France forces during World War 2. They were led by General Charles de Gaul and fought on the side of the Allies for the duration of the war. Once Vice Admiral Émile Muselier assumed the combined position of the Chief of the Naval and Air Forces of the Free French, he created the flag to include the traditional French colors along with the red cross of Lorraine. The intention of including the cross was the help the French people recall the perseverance of Joan of Arc, who had used the symbol.
U.N. Four Freedoms Flag of World War 2
The “U.N. Honor Flag” or “Four Freedoms Flag” was designed or modeled after U.S. President Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech. The flag design was intended to symbolize the goals of the WW II Allies as dictated in the Declaration by United Nations and the Atlantic Charter. Brooks Harding designed the flag in October 1942, which saw limited use from 1943 to 1948. The flag is commonly referred to as the first UN flag but was never recognized as an official flag of the organization.
World War 2 Flags of the Axis Powers
German National Flag of World War 2
German Flag Meaning: The German national flag was originally the flag of the NSDAP Party but became the German National flag in 1935 by the direction of Hitler. In September of that year, the position of the swastika was moved to be slightly off-center towards the flag pole. In Hitler’s Mein Kampf, he stated that the white on the flag represented the nationalistic idea, the red the social idea of the movement, and the swastika represented the mission of the Aryan struggle for victory. Because of the Nazi’s use of the swastika became an international symbol of violence, anti-Semitism, death, murder, and hate.
*Note: The use of the Nazi flag or swastika is illegal in Germany, Austria, and other European countries. Ensure you verify the local regulations in your region before printing, emailing, or otherwise using images of the flag.
The German Naval Ensign and the German Merchant flag were the same as the German National flag. At one point, the reverse side of the flag was modified to show a mirror image of the swastika vice the original “right-facing” symbol on both sides of the flag.
Italy National Flag of World War 2
The Italian national flag during World War 2 contained three sections of green, white, and red colors that were divided vertically in equal sections. The flag’s colors symbolically represent the virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Where the idea to use the colors came from is still a matter of debate amongst Italians. One prevailing theory is that the colors originated with the uniform colors of the Civic Militia of Milan. The only difference in the Italian national flag and naval ensign was the addition of a shield and crown to the center of the flag. The shield was added to avoid confusion with Mexican-flagged vessels at sea.
Japanese National Flag of World War 2
The Japanese national flag has a large red disk or circle on a white background in the center of the flag. The disk is meant to stand for the sun without rays.
The Japanese Naval ensign, however, is known as the “Rising Sun” flag and contains 16 rays.
It was used by the Japanese navy during World War 2 and became one of the most recognized symbols of the country. The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces use the “Rising Sun” flag today.
Vichy France Republic Flag
After northern France, including Paris, fell to Germany during the first part of World War 2, southern France established a semi-independent French government in Vichy. The government negotiated a peace treaty with Hitler and supported Nazi policies. The Vichy French Republic Flag was used from 1940 to 1944. After World War 2, the supporters of Vichy France would be considered traitors.
