KINGDOM OF ITALY
ARMY COLORS & RANK FLAGS • 1940-46
Image Added July 2008
Color for Regiments & Separate Battalions
Notes
The color prescribed for regiments and battalions of the Royal Italian Army (Regio Esercito) was a square silk version of the national tricolor with the crowned Savoy arms on the white stripe. This color was the same for all units, with no inscriptions or battle honors permitted. For foot units, the color's dimensions were 120cm x 120cm; for mounted and motorized units its dimensions were 40cm x 40cm. The color was carried on a staff covered with blue cloth; the finial was a hollow gilt spear point enclosing the royal arms. Cords and tassels were silver. Also attached to the staff was a plain blue cravat with silver fringe; on this were pinned any decorations to which the unit was entitled.
During World War II, general officers of the Royal Italian Army were entitled to display flags with stars corresponding to their rank. In all cases these flags were white with red stars and insignia; proportions were 2:3.
The general serving as Chief of Staff of the Army (usually in the rank of General of Army) had a special flag with the stars inside a red frame. The flag of a General of Army Corps in command of an army (technically not a rank but an appointment) had a crown and baton between two stars; otherwise, the crown alone appeared. When the monarchy was abolished in 1946 the rank of Marshal of Italy was dropped and all crowns were deleted from flags and insignia, but otherwise the current general officers' rank flags of the Italian Republic are not greatly different from those used during World War II.
Flag Proportions: All rank flags of the Royal Italian Army had 2:3 proportions.
