UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS

NAVAL ENSIGNS & FLAGS  •  1935-92

The final naval ensign of the USSR, adopted in 1935, combined traditional symbols of communism—the red star and hammer and sickle—with the white and blue colors of tsarist Russia's old war ensign, the Andrew Flag. For ships awarded the honorary title "Guards," a Guard Ribbon in the black and orange colors of the Order of Glory (the same colors as the ribbon of the tsarist Cross of St. George) was added above the blue stripe. Ships awarded the Order of the Red Banner had the red star charged with the insignia of the order; this distinction could be displayed on the ensign along with the Guards Ribbon by ships entitled to both honors. These honorary ensigns were introduced during World War II. Along with the ensign, a new jack and naval fortress flag was introduced. Additional ensigns and flags for auxiliary vessels, high officials and flag officers were brought into service from 1935 onwards. Most were based on the basic naval ensign, with additional symbols as necessary. The first flags for high officials were mostly replaced by revised designs around 1950. Up to 1950, the heads of government departments were known as commissars, e.g. Commissar of the Navy; after that date they were titled ministers. All 1935-pattern naval ensign and flags were officially abolished in 1992, when the Russian Navy once more hoisted the Andrew Flag. Flag Proportions: The 1935 ensigns and flags were made in 2:3 proportions. Credits: My drawings of the Guards and Red Banner naval ensigns are based on images posted to the FOTW Mailing List by Zeljko Heimer. Images Added May 2010 Inspector-General of the Navy (1935-50)  •  Chief of Staff of the Red Army (1935-50)