Last modified: 2022-10-14 by kryštof huk
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![[Czechoslovak ensign]](../images/c/cz~sk.gif)
image by Miles Li, 11 Sep 2008
Image after Kannik's 'Vlaggen, Standaarden en Wapens', c. 1959.
Jarig Bakker, 9 Mar 2001
Used 1955-1960
![[old Czechoslovak ensign]](../images/c/cz~skold.gif)
image by Miles Li, 11 Sep 2008
Used 1935-1939 and 1945-1955.
Jan Zrzavý, 20 July 2000
I was unable to find data on a certain Czechoslovak flag that is supposed
to have been a naval ensign. It looked like the simple flag of the CSSR,
with the addition of a five-pointed red star with hammer and sickle (silver?)
on the border of the blue and the white fields. I found this design in
a small German encyclopedia from the 50s or 60s, but I'm afraid I don't
have it at hand any more, so I can neither provide further information
about the source, nor can I attach the image. Can anybody recall, whether
this flag really has existed and if yes, when it has been in use?
Marco Pribilla, 9 Nov 1999
Czechoslovakia had two naval ensigns, one in 1935-1939 and 1945-1955,
the other in 1955-1960. In the former, the Czechoslovak WRB flag was defaced
by the small Coat of Arms in the canton (silver two-tailed crowned lion
on the red shield, bearing a small heart red shield with the silver double
cross raising from three blue mountains). The latter ensign has the emblem
of the Czechoslovak People's Army in the canton: red five-pointed star
with white fimbriation and with the same Czechoslovak lion as described
above in the center of the star. (Note that the CPA star was somewhat 'circular',
similar to that of the old Vietnamese flag in 1945-1954.) No hammer and
sickle in any Czechoslovak symbols, even the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
used (after WWII) only golden initials 'KŠC"
on a red field!
Jan Zrzavý, 20 Jul 2000
The ensign was used before introducing the "hussite" (in fact, not hussite
but foot-soldiers') pavis long-shield (in 1960). The Czechoslovak coat
of arms in 1920-1960 includes shields of the "traditional" shapes, the
same as are used in the present Czech coat of arms.
Jan Zrzavý, 9 Nov 1999
As far as I remember Czechoslovakia had naval facilities (well, in reality
the mere right for CS navy to use foreign harbours as bases) in former
Yugoslavia (Rijeka) or/and in Szczecin. Am I correct?
Francois-Jean Blanc, 9 Nov 1999
Minister of Defense proposed war ensign in May 1930. Czech flag with
arms in the center of the white over red part, but external affairs minister
is opposed. New designs were made: same but with arms in the vertix of
the triangle; and same but with arms in canton. The last one was adopted
20 August 1930. Between 1938 and 1945 Czechoslovakia didn't exist. 1945-55
national flag is used as naval ensign. 10 June 1955 an ensign was adopted
for the Armed Forces (supposedly for land, sea and air branches). Abolished
17-11-1960
Jaume Ollé, 27 Nov 1999
The Pre-War military ensign of Czechoslovakia with original shield of
arms is from Crampton's 'The World of Flags', 1990. The scan shows dimly
the cross on the mountains. According to Crampton the arms were altered
in 1960, although they still retain the lion of Bohemia. The slovak shield
is the main thing that has been altered. The old slovak shield is the same
as the shield of the Republic of Slovakia nowadays, while the new one has
a four-tongued flame against the background of the three-mountain.
Jarig Bakker, 20 Jul 2000
If I understand it well, Crampton is not right. Since 1960, *no* ensigns
were used and the Czechoslovak national flag was used for all purposes
(xxx/xxx). Once again: naval ensign #1 (1935-1939, 1945-1955) included
red shield with the Czechoslovak lion (including Slovak shield), naval
ensign #2 (1955-1960) included red star with *the same* Czechoslovak lion.
Jan Zrzavý, 20 Jul 2000
![[Czechoslovakian merchant ensign]](../images/c/cz~sk3.gif)
image by Grzegorz Skrukwa, 7 Jan 2001
In the Polish book "Maly Leksykon Morski" ("Small Marine Lexicon"
) from 1981, I found another version of a Czechoslovakian ensign. It is
Czechoslovakian flag with red star. As far as I know Czechoslovakia in
communist era had its own merchant navy, with home port in Szczecin (Poland).
Grzegorz Skrukwa, 7 Jan 2001
Czechoslovakia had no merchant/civil ensigns but two *naval* ensigns
(one with COA, the other with Czechoslovak People's Army's emblem).
Jan Zrzavy, 8 Jan 2001