FRENCH REPUBLIC

CURRENT MILITARY RANK FLAGS

NOTES

Appointment and rank flags for French defense officials and generals are either square versions of the Tricolor or square white flags with a Tricolor canton. In the former case, a distinctive insignia is applied to the white stripe; in the latter case, insignia is applied in the lower fly of the flag. On the general officers' rank flags, the blue stars correspond in arrangement and number to the silver rank stars worn on the lower sleeves or shoulder straps of the Army uniform.

"Marshal of France" is not strictly speaking a rank but an honorary title or "dignity," bestowed for exceptionally distinguished service in war. The last Marshal to be named (posthumously) was Marie-Pierre Koenig (1898-1970), who commanded the 1st Free French Division at the Battle of Bir Hakeim in North Africa (1942). Later (1944) he served as commander of the French Forces of the Interior, and from 1954 to 1955 he was Minister of National Defense. The flag for a Marshal of France has crossed batons in the lower fly.

Flag Proportions: French military appointment and rank flags are made square. The same designs, slightly rectangular, are used as car flags.

Credit: My drawings are based on information and images posted to the FOTW Mailing List by Ivan Sache and Zeljko Heimer.

APPOINTMENT FLAGS FOR DEFENSE OFFICIALS
 

Left: MINISTER OF DEFENSE          Right: CHIEF OF DEFENSE STAFF
 

ARMY & AIR FORCE APPOINTMENT FLAGS
 

Left: ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF         Right: AIR FORCE CHIEF OF STAFF
 

ARMY & AIR FORCE RANK FLAGS
 

MARSHAL OF FRANCE
 

Left: GENERAL OF ARMY & GENERAL OF AIR FORCE
Right: GENERAL OF ARMY CORPS & GENERAL OF AIR CORPS
 

Left: GENERAL OF DIVISION & GENERAL OF AIR DIVISION
Right: GENERAL OF BRIGADE & GENERAL OF AIR GROUP

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