Award pennants of the Kriegsmarine (Germany)

Verdienstwimpel (1940-1945)

Last modified: 2011-02-25 by editor unassigned
Keywords: third reich | verdienstwimpel |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors

• War Merit Pennant 1941-1945 (Kriegsverdienstwimpel)
• Pennant for the Destruction of Ships by the Coastal Defence 1943-1945 (Wimpel für die Vernichtung von Schiffen durch den Küstenschutz)
• Swallowtailed Pennant for the Destruction of Ships by the Coastal Defence 1943-1945 (Doppelstander für die Vernichtung Schiffen durch den Küstenschutz)
• Pennant for the Downing of Enemy Aircraft 1940-1945 (Wimpel für den Abschuss von Flugzeugen)

• Flags of the Navy 1935-1945 (Kriegsmarine)
• Flags of the Armed Forces 1935-1945 (Wehrmacht)
• Third Reich 1933-1945
• Germany

War Merit Pennant 1941-1945 / Kriegsverdienstwimpel

War Merit Pennant (Kriegsverdienstwimpel) - Awarded to captains of vessels not sailing under the Reich war flag for either a single action of for contact which "made necessary the full commitment of the ships, its captain or its crew" and were of "outstanding value for the conduct of war". It could be flown on any vessel under the command of a recipient of this flag.
By an order on 15 Apr 1942 the regulations were altered and it could also be awarded to commissioned and non-commissioned officers or the navy as well as to captains and officers of the merchant navy and to foreign citizens.
Source: "Der Kriegsmarine: Uniforms & Traditions, volume 3" by John R. Angolia and Adolf Schlicht.
Marcus Wendel, 22 Apr 2008

Pennant for the Destruction of Ships by the Coastal Defence 1943-1945 / Wimpel für die Vernichtung von Schiffen durch den Küstenschutz

Awarded to Coastal Defence units and also to anti-aircraft units on-board ships (but not those onboard warships) for the destruction of enemy ships. For ships up to and including destroyer size a triangular pennant was awarded and for larger vessels a swallow-tail was awarded for the destruction of larger vessels. Design as above but with the Doppelstander anchor and Iron Cross in the white field for the destruction of ships up to destroyer size. The Doppelstander was awarded for the destruction of cruisers and above.
Source: "Der Kriegsmarine: Uniforms & Traditions, volume 3" by John R. Angolia and Adolf Schlicht.
Marcus Wendel, 22 Apr 2008

Swallowtailed Pennant for the Destruction of Enemy Ships by the Coastal Defence 1943-1945 / Doppelstander für die Vernichtung von Schiffen durch den Küstenschutz

Awarded to Coastal Defence units for the destruction of cruisers and above.
Marcus Wendel, 20 Sep 2000

Pennant for the Downing of Enemy Aircraft 1940-1945 / Wimpel für den Abschuss von Flugzeugen

Awarded to the responsible unit for downing of enemy aircraft (one for each aircraft) by anti-aircraft batteries or light anti-aircraft weapons. Design as the War Merit Pennant but with a large Iron Cross in the white field.
On 31 Jan 1941 this was extended to boats of the Harbor Protection Flotillas.
Source: "Der Kriegsmarine: Uniforms & Traditions, volume 3" by John R. Angolia and Adolf Schlicht.
Marcus Wendel, 22 Apr 2008