Unidentified Flags or Ensigns (2012)

flags submitted in 2012

Last modified: 2012-05-05 by pete loeser
Keywords: ufe | unidentified flags |
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Identification Key:

= Positive ID (Positive Identification)
= Tentative ID (Tentative Identification)
= Some Speculation

1. UK Royal Standard displayed with uniform Tentative ID

   
Image from Juanito C, 18 January 2012
[close-up provided by UFE Editor]

While searching the web, I came across Spanish website which dealt with Military stuff from the time of the 2nd Mexican Empire and the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), and while I looked through the images I saw one uniform of the Saint Patrick's Battalion in which they show a UK Royal Flag which I'm guessing is from the House of Hanover pre-Victoria, but can't be to sure because of the image quality of the flag itself.
Juanito C, 18 January 2012

At first glance it appears to be an 1801 - 1837 British Royal Standard with the inescutcheon of Hanover (although difficult to be sure of which version), however (and I could be wrong in this), the second quarter does not appear to contain the lion rampant of Scotland with double border, but rather the lion of Leon and chains of Navarre? The details of the inescutcheon are unclear as well, so that might not actually be (at least accurately) Hanover?
Christopher Southworth, 18 January 2012

I think this was George III's royal standard, in use from 1816 to 1820 according to the crown. Prior to 1816, there was no crown, but an electoral cap. But this standard was also used by his successors George IV and William IV, so we can't be sure.
Corentin Chamboredon, 18 January 2011

A very reasonable conjecture, IMHO. But another point which I find puzzling is why an Irish Catholic emigre unit would be associated with a British Royal Standard.
Ned Smith, 18 January 2012

I didn't notice that. This is indeed surprising. Maybe this flag has been realized in Mexico and its maker were not very familial with British heraldry... A misunderstanding of what a double treasure is, perhaps?
Corentin Chamboredon, 18 January 2012

It is difficult to tell from that image, but you could well be right about it being Hanoverian - though not necessarily pre-Victoria. It is very similar to the arms of Britain's King George III, which had the arms of Hanover on an escutcheon surmounted by a royal crown, as in this flag (divided in three, with two lions to the left, a blue lion on yellow upper right, and a white horse on red in base) - several; of his descendants also used similar arms (including George V of Hanover and his son Ernest Augustus II). One quibble, though, would be that these arms would have a smaller escutcheon in the centre of the larger, showing a gold crown on red. There doesn't seem to be any sign of that on the flag.
James Dignan, 18 January 2012

2. Yacht Club Burgees 2 Positive IDs Some Speculation

#2a  #2b     #2c  #2d 

#2e  #2f     #2g 
Images from John McDonald, 22 January 2012

Attached are images of some Yacht Club Burgees presented to our Howth Yacht Club by visiting sailors. Can you identify any of the Burgees for me please? Many thanks in anticipation.
John McDonald, 22 January 2012

I believe the basis for #2a is the San Raphael Yacht Club burgee. You might want to ask them whether they had a golden jubilee burgee?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 13 February 2012

Three naval crowns? Who would use three naval crowns? Hm, let's try and narrow things down a bit (on #2d): Which countries actually use naval crowns?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 16 February 2012

Number #2d flag is Burgee of the Cofradia Nautica del Pacifico, Chile.
Aidan Henry Sutton

3. Flag on a Brooch Some Speculation

I came across your page whilst trying to identify the flag on a brooch. Does it look familiar or can you put me in the right direction on how to identify it? I presume its a nautical one as it came from the Isle of Wight.
Sue, 22 January 2012

Vaguely familiar, but that's not going to help much. Let's at least notice that it's not a two-colour drawing: The staff uses several colours. So, these really are the colours it's supposed to be in?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 16 February 2012

4. Five Unknown Shipping Company Flags

While walking along the dyke of Billwerder on 6 November 2010, I found seven flags on ships. Two of them I was able to identify, but five remained a mystery. Any of these look familiar?
    - Flag #12a: A White flag divided by a red saltire superimposed by a black capital "B".
    - Flag #12b: A Yellow over red horizontal bicolour with a big, blue capital "H" in its centre.
    - Flag #12c: A Yellow flag with black ellipse touching all edges. In the ellipse is a yellow capital "M".
    - Flag #12d: A red Flag with a white diamond in its centre containing a black steaming ship.
    - Flag #12e: A blue over white over blue horizontal triband. In the centre is a white square fimbriated black. In the square is a black ship. Looks somewhat like a Rhenus flag.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 30 March 2012

5. A Kuwaitian Political Party Flag? Some Speculation

Image from Santiago Dotor, 2 February 2012

I just read an article La 'primavera' permanente de Kuwait in the news which show Kuwaitis "at a political rally of an opposition party" waving the national flag and another flag which is red with white arab characters. Maybe a political party flag? Maybe the former flag, as some kind of statement?
Santiago Dotor, 2 February 2012

I find this picture extremely interesting, has the "Arab Spring" arrived in Kuwait? In Kuwait there have been no officially political parties, but have they arrived "de facto" anyway, complete with party flags? This picture would indicate that indeed they have. In recent years, we have seen political disagreement between the government, outspoken deputies, and the public cause the Emir to dissolve the National Assembly several times, and popular protests like this one pictured have become more common. Perhaps a time has come in Kuwait that we will see the formation of official political parties and with them, a rich and fertile field for new (and some old) political flags. Interesting vexillological times ahead, I think.
Unfortunately, I haven't a clue to the identity of the blurred red flags, but the fact that there are multiple copies suggest they are indeed the product of an organized political group.
Pete Loeser, 2 February 2012

As a wild guess, and looking at the list of KW "parties" on Wikipedia the red flags might be affiliated with the Democratic Foundation of Kuwait, judging from the general design. But this is just a clue that might help someone to find more on it.
Željko Heimer, 2 Februrary 2012

New image from Eugene Ipavec, 13 February 2012

Might not the blurred unidentified Kuwait Political Party flag actually be the Kuwait National flag of 1956-1961 and not a political party flag at all? See the text information originally posted by Jarig Bakker (4 May 2000), and the image of that flag just submitted by Eugene Ipavec (13 February 2012). A very similar looking flag, but with the thin white hoist band hidden by a crease caused by the waving and reverse side-obverse side motion? I'm afraid reading Arabic is not my thing and I can't be sure if the script is correct.
Pete Loeser, 14 February 2012

6. Unknown German Society Flag Some Speculation

I found this flag/banner in my attic and wondered if you knew anything about it. I have found out it says "WITH GOD FOR GERMAN HOMELAND" (in German) on the side with eagle. On other side (striped red and white) it says "IN TRUE FAITH" (again, in German). It shows the Bremen coat-of-arms.
Paul Murray, 5 February 2012

I wonder if it might have been a flag used by a German Society in Britain?
Rob Raeside, 5 February 2012

The lower texts starts with VEREIN EHEM. ANGEHÖRIGER DES 1. HANSEATISCHES, probably meaning "regiment" or something like that, and maybe the number, and then centered below that: "BREMEN" so maybe "Society of former members of the 1st Hanseatic Regiment 'Bremen' [no.]". That would then refer to the Infantry regiment stationed in Bremen during the second German Empire, I expect. There were similar regiments in "Hamburg" and "Lübeck". On the reverse we see IN TREUE (in loyalty), but I wonder whether it's going to form "in Treue und Glauben". Our German members and military specialists might all know more. On the other hand, I hope that Paul can quote the exact German texts.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 13 February 2012

7. New Hampshire Regiment flag? Some Speculation

(Editorial Note: Sorry, I missed this one and it is posted a bit out of order.)

I have a flag which I though was an American Revolutionary New Hampshire Regiment flag, but now have no idea what it represents and would appreciate any guidance any expert may have, It has a light blue background, with an American colonial era British cross, (Queen Anne?) with addition four bars pointing at 90 degrees outward between the cross bars, and a red center circle, with a gold crown on top and gold triangular symbol of some kind below the red circle, also four green sprigs - two on each side of the circle, top and bottom between gold symbols. The soldiers with the flag appear to be Revolutionary, in blue coats and white facings.
Ken Kadag, 24 January 2012

I am no expert on the area in question (and no doubt will be corrected by those that are), but this does not appear to be an accurate representation of a captured colour? Leaving aside the fact that the light blue should be dark blue (the background of the flag should match the facings colour of the regiment concerned), as far as I am aware, a British military colour – and a British military colour this is almost certainly meant to represent - of this period should bear a regimental number (in addition – or as part of - to any device) in its centre. It should be said also (and more importantly), that the canton appears to consist of a post-1801 Union Flag (bearing the red saltire of St Patrick in addition to white one of St Andrew)?
As a matter of interest, the central device appears to be a red rose, and (also as matter of interest) is the uniform concerned not that of a general officer of the Continental army rather than that of a colour bearer – a sergeant or junior officer?
Christopher Southworth, 28 January 2012

8. Unidentified pennant on buckle or brooch Positive ID

I looked around FOTW and on other sites to find which shipping company has this logo, found nothing. Any information is very helpful.
Robert T, 12 February 2012

I did browse through our collection of US, UK, Japanese, Canadian, German, Norwegian and Danish flags with marine associations, and found nothing. There are many house flags from Japan with a red ring, but always something else included.
Rob Raeside, 13 February 2012

I'm a bit pressed for time, but check the "Toronto Sailing and Canoe Club" website.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 13 February 2012

9. German Flag found in The Netherlands Positive ID

A while ago I found a flag lying around in a charity shop in the Netherlands. I didn't know it from any country from the world and searched the internet for counties and cities but without any luck. It has a striking resemblance with the flag of the Dominican Republic, but it isn't. It has a label that says that it was made by the bonner fahnenfabrik, in Germany. That's all I know. Does anybody know this one from anywhere?
Patrick van der Ende, 24 Febraury 2012

The lion with forked tail is clearly that of Luxembourg, but beyond that I cannot help. It does not appear to be in the FOTW Luxembourg pages. The lion is also similar to that of Limburg [also Limbourg], but in this context that would seem to be purely coincidental.
T.F. Mills, 25 February 2012

The lion does seem to be that of Limburg, a territory nowadays spilt up between SE Netherlands, far western Germany and Eastern Belgium, maybe also Luxemburg. But the type of flag is really uncommon for munies (in Germany). My opinion therefore is, that it is probably no municipal flag, but perhaps a shipping company from the lower Rhine area. My main suspect is a Dutch shipping company (colours better match Netherlands than the other suspects).
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 25 February 2012

It's not from the Dominican Republic, also not Dutch, but a shipping company, a German one. Thanks to Klaus-Peter Bühne (maintaining www.marcollect.de) we can identify UFE12-9 as the house flag of Rheintrans- Reedere i- Transport- und Speditions GmbH & Co KG (shipping, transport and logistics). The company was located in Duisburg, established in 1959, inactive since 2001. Due to political and economic circumstances being not satisfactory the company dissolved itself on 23 March 2007. The foto added by Klaus-Peter shows a banner version, but it is definitely the same. We had that flag within our pages as simply Rheintrans , therefore it looked so familiar. The cross bars in the image within the R-shipping-company-list has however thicker cross bars.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 28 February 2012

10. UFE from Barrow, Alaska Some Speculation

I have just been watching the David Attenborough documentary series "The Frozen Planet". In the seventh and last episode, there's a scene of a traditional festival at Barrow, in northern Alaska. In the background of the scene is a flag, which appears to be salmon orange with a white disc divided into three segments in the centre (it's possible, of course, that it was originally red and white and has faded). I've searched the fotw-ws Alaska pages, but can find no similar flag. Anyone know what it might be? I've attached an approximate sketch of the flag.
James Dignan, 28 February 2012

Sound a bit like a whaling flag. Looks somewhat like this one used at the Whaling association demonstration [in Barrow, Alaska during the 2006 Inuit Circumpolar Conference], which I don't know either.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 28 February 2012

11. Sudan- Jebel Barkal UFE Some Speculation

Image by Pascal Prince, 4 March 2011

While looking a TV report about old African Kingdoms, they showed a Religious Souffi Ceremony celebrating the inhumation of a Local Sheikh in the Jebel Barkal Mountains. There where two people flying flags during the ceremony. They look very close to the Islamic Citizen's Association flag described by Martin Grieve (8 Dec 2007) except that they aren't rectangular... So either it's a religious flag or a local Flag for the Jebel Barkal region (Wikipedia)...
Pascal Prince, 4 March 2011

I´m sorry, I cannot tell it from your screen shot. They are not rectangular, then, so what are they? Forked, triangular, tapering?
António MARTINS-Tuválkin, 4 March 2011

It's clearly not rectangular, altough I don't know the right name for it, a pennon?
Pascal Prince 14 March 2012

12. British Paratroop Flags Positive ID

I have these 2 paratroop pendents and I have been unable to find any info on them. If you could provide any it would help.
Steve Trebs, 14 March 2012

Both flags are indicated to be 38.5 x 26.5 inches.
Rob Raeside, 15 March 2012

They are both British, and are souvenir-type flags related to the Parachute Regiment. [Flag #12a] depicts Bellerophon mounted on Pegasus, and the design was used as the 'flash' (arm patch insignia) by all Airborne troops from the Second World War until 1999. (See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/402130.stm)
[Flag #12b] is similar to a flag sold by the Parachute Regiment for the use of veterans or soldiers´ families. (See: https://www.airbornepri.com/parachute-regiment-flag)
Ian Sumner, 15 March 2012

13. Unknown Arms with Two-headed Eagle Some Speculation

I bought this few days ago, but I cannot recognize which country this item represent. It is double-head eagle with wings (up). The position of swords can be changed, so I am not sure if this is real one, but maybe you can recognize if you see the picture on this magnet (in center).
Alen Duspara, 18 March 2012

The device in the centre may be the arms of Castile and Leon, a province of Spain, but I don't know about the two-headed eagle. You indicate the badge in the centre is a magnet, so I presume it can be detached, and may not correspond to the mounting behind it?
Rob Raeside, 18 March 2012

Looks like a poor version of the old basic Spanish arms to me (Castile and Leon with Granada at the base) displayed on the Imperial Eagle. Having said that, however, the three swords and the overall low quality suggest to me some entrepreneur's efforts to cash in on "The Three Musketeers" which was made as a movie and a play at different times. Although the action takes place in France, when cashing in who cares about accuracy? This is just speculation on my part and I could be wrong.
Dave Martucci, 18 March 2012

This is similar to coat-of-arms of the City (or Province) of Toledo (autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha, Spain). Toledo has a great tradition of the manufacturing of swords and knives of "Toledo steel" (acero toledano) which are sold as souvenirs.
Luismi Arias, 18 March 2012

14. Unknown Houseflag 1862 Tentative ID

This image shows the brigg ELITE from Blankenese (today Hamburg) in 1862. There are three flags/pennnants hoisted: foremast: white flag divided by red saltire (probably the housflag), mainmast: red name pennant cotized white with ship’s name upon mizzenmast: Danish ensign with cypher. Probably the ship was trading with the mediterranian (cypher as distinguishing mark to Knights of Malta, although those had been already history then). Can somebody assist in order to identify the houseflag?
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 2 Apr 2012

At that time and for one year more, Blankenese was, as part of Holstein, ruled by the Danish king Frederik VII, whose cypher can be seen in the flag. Formally, though, Holstein was not part of Denmark, and I've sometimes wondered whether this is the actual reason for Danish flags with a Royal cypher in this area, rather than such a flag being a requirement for the Mediterranean trade. (The more so, as the requirement for the North African treaties was that the flag was clearly distinguishable from the Maltese flag. With such a small box as we see here, you'd probably have to hold the flag out to the pirates as they climbed aboard to point out the difference. The Cypher is discussed at as Christian VII (1766-1808), Frederik VI - 1808-1839, Christian VIII (1839-1848) though the entry heading doesn't actually mention FR VII.
According to Danmarks Skibsliste 1883, Moses & Sön, G. Melchior had as their "Kontor-Flag": Hvidt med rødt diagonalt Kors, white with a diagonal cross. I expect this was already the case in 1862, but the ships lists don't go back that far.
Although formally, ANMARKS HANDELS-FLAADE i Aaret 1883, the company was Copenhagen-based. Are we certain the ship is not merely "seen" at Blankenese? Then again, there might have been an advantage in owning ships from Holstein, as counter to Denmark it was part of the German Confederation. Blankenese, on the Elbe and close to Hamburg, would have been a good choice in such a case, especially since the company name suggests Jewish descent and Blankenese had a large Jewish community, which could not live in Hamburg under the city's rather strict laws on that matter.
I'm not good at drawing cyphers; I hope someone else will do that flag, but the house-flag I can draw. It may be that in the image the diagonals are not exactly of equal width, but no mention of that is made in the description - Danish, water-based Copenhagen business Moses & Sön, G. Melchior flag.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 2 Apr 2012

15. Two Red Roses on a white field

Do you know what is this flag? I bought it on internet, but nobody knows what it is.
Martin Ruppert, 4 April 2012

16. Two Flags on an Egg Cup 1 Positive ID Some Speculation

Image from Robert J. Mackidd, 1 April 2012

These two flags were on an eggcup, apparently the flags of shipping companies. Can you give me any information?
Robert J. Mackidd, 1 April 2012

Dexter [left flag] is the burgee for the Portland Yacht Club, Maine. I can't place the other one, but as this is likely to be the private signal of the owner, there's possibilities are rather large, even if it's likely that either the vessel or the owner has a name starting with a "B". Is there a time frame, to reduce the field a bit?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 1 April 2012

17. Custer's HQ flag? Some Speculation

Image from Cathy Wright, 3 April 2012

The MOC has a flag in its collection with which I'd appreciate your assistance. It has been tentatively identified (before I came here, so I'm not sure by whom) as Custer's HQ flag. I assume this tentative identification is based on its appearance.
It is listed in the "Record of Rebel Flags Captured by Union Troops" as a "Rebel Battle Flag capture in Battle of Sailor's Creek April 6th 1865 by Major John Allestron 3rd N.Y. Cav. Vols. 1st Brigade 3rd Cavalry Division Genl. Custar Commdg." The MOC has it tentatively identified as, "Believed captured by Confederate troops and later recaptured at the battle of Sayler's Creek, Virginia..."
My questions are:
1) Is this flag pattern definitively Custer's HQ, or could this flag have been used by some other U.S. unit?
2) Is Custer ever known to have lost a flag during the war?
Cathy Wright, Curator, The Museum of the Confederacy, 3 April 2012

Howie Madaus did an article on Custer's flags some years ago and did not find reference to any "extras" that were not otherwise accounted for. This would be one of those extras. Based on his research, he was puzzled by this one, as was I. Still, it is indeed the pattern of Custer's personal flag. Whether it was one adopted by someone else that just happened to be the same, whether it was some sort of Confederate "decoy" (without any supporting documentation) or whether it was indeed one of Custer's, captured and then recaptured is a mystery. Some things aren't clear. Interestingly, Custer's own division captured it; and nobody commented on it? Then again, you have two of the battleflags captured by Tom Custer for which he received medals of honor. But Appomattox has one, too. That's three. What gives?.
Les Jensen, 3 April 2011

I have a copy of Howard Madaus' essay on "The Personal and Designating Flags of General George A. Custer, 1863-1865" that ran in Military Collector & Historian in 1968, it does not show the attached flag. That may be due to him not knowing about the flag when he wrote the article (I do not know when he first visited the MOC). The last two flags depicted in his essay are red over blue swallow tailed flags with the crossed sabers. These two flags are 72 inches (made of bunting) and 78 inches (made of silk) in length however, and the flag you have sent does not seem to be in that ballpark. This flag does resemble the first two flags above, so I am not sure what to think. Hopefully one of our members can add much more.
Does anyone have a copy of the 1952 article on "The Flags of the 7th Cavalry at the Little Big Horn" by Colonel WA Graham? if so would it be possible to copy it for me?
Greg Biggs, 3 April 2011

I believe you are looking for "Custer’s Battle Flags" by WA Graham first published in 1950 in Los Angeles Westerners "Brand Book". It was reprinted as a pirate pamphlet, signed by him in 1952 and presented to the NY Public Library for insertion into the appropriate volume of the "Brand Book". I have some notes from an article not the pamphlet. You may wish to contact the NY Public Library to see if they have info for you.
If your interested, The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, Nov. 1891 - April 1892, (google books) published an article "Custer's Last Battle" by E. S. Godfrey, he mentioned the flags carried by Custer at the battle of Little Bighorn.
Tom Martin, 4 April 2011

Image from Tom Martin, 4 April 2011

According to family history, Libby Custer made his personal battle flag in 1865, it was delivered to him at Dinwiddie Court House, VA on March 31,1865. An open question would be, was it a replacement for the one lost, I do not know. If it was captured and recaptured, yours is not the same one reported to have been made by Libby, it was sold at auction some years back. The U. S. Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, 2nd Brigade carried similar pattern flags. red over blue with crossed sabers. A large number of Union commanders did not list the capture of their units flags in official reports, if Custer did lose the flag, I have yet to find an official report on it.
Tom Martin, 4 April 2011

To my mind, this seems as likely as that the flag [Tom's] is actually Custer’s HQ flag. I will strongly consider removing the info about Custer’s HQ flag.
Cathy Wright, 4 April 2012

I am wondering if the flag at the MOC is some brigade or division flag sans numbers as with earlier flags of the cavalry? It is not as large as the flag Tom sent us below. The MOC flag is more crudely made than the flag [above] and from Howie's article one of the flags was made from a captured CS hospital flag and is not as fine as that below either.
Greg Biggs, 4 April 2012

I find myself wanting to be able to tell you yes, this could be a Custer HQ flag, but alas I cannot. Not only are all four personal Civil War Custer guidons accounted for, but none were ever captured or lost to my knowledge. I direct you to the Personal Guidons Chart of General George Armstrong Custer, all four of his personal guidons are there, present and accounted for.
Unfortunately, from what remains there is also not any positive indication that your flag was even a guidon. For example, I could not see any indication that it was swallow-tailed at all, and the size seems a bit wrong. I should also mention, as a point of information, these were not officially his headquarter guidons, but rather his personal command flags (one reportably made by his wife), and I'm afraid none of this helps identify your particular flag, which remains open to speculation.
Pete Loeser, 9 April 2011

A belated "thank you" for your insights on this curious little flag. I'm with you - I would like it to be "the real deal," but the evidence doesn't come down on that side. In any case, I have compiled everyone's responses to add to the file, in hopes it will at least show we tried our due diligence in researching its identity. Sincere thanks for your assistance.
Cathy Wright, 23 April 2012

18. Mysterious Okinawan Flag Some Speculation

The attached pics of a war souvienor Japanese flag my father (US Army) picked up in Okinowa in the early 1960's seems to be quite a mystery. Any ideas?
Barney Sievers, 5 April 2012

I can provide larger images to anyone off-list if you need them to see finer details. Note: it is not a flag of Okinawa (that was merely where it was acquired).
Rob Raeside, 5 April 2012

I am Toru Fukubayashi, the co-president of POW Research Network Japan. The flag is not the Japanese Naval Flag. Though I am not sure, as the star is a symbol for the Japanese Army and the anchor is for the Japanese Navy, it may be a flag for the local veteran soldier society (both army and navy) of Ofuna Town area, Kanagawa Prefecture. I guess the owner of this flag and the samurai sword was a veteran officer who lived in Ofuna.
Toru Fukubayashi, 2 April 2011

My friend provided me an answer to your flag question. Her father was born in Kyoto in 1948 and has responded. Sorry I could not provide further information, since I don't specialize in flags per se. Here is his quote:
"Just received a reply from my dad regarding the flag. His translation is: 'Community group: OFUNA (community block) branch, group of 5.'"
I hope that helps. Maybe, a group of sea scouts?
Alan Cagle, 3 April 2011

19. Egyptian political UFE

In a TV news story on Egyptian politics, I noticed a flag at a rally of the Muslim Brotherhood (along with MB flags): blue with a white gear centered (number of teeth not certain).
Eugene Ipavec, 5 April 2012

20. EAC unidentified flag (possibly British) Some Speculation

As a collector of maritime uniform buttons I have been using the FOTW website for a long time. To help me identify buttons I have acquired many books on house flags. I do have a few unidentified flags on buttons. Most of these predate flag books.
Please find the first unidentified of many [unidentified flags on buttons]. I have made a sketch from a button design. The flag is white, with 3 narrow, vertical red bars. It is much wider than the usual flag. Its height x width ratio is 1:2.5 The letters on the button are E.A.C. An anchor and a roped rim indicate a shipping line. The button was made for a London tailor, Maynard & Harris. They were in business 1845-1868. I hope someone is able to identify it.
Gerard vanE, 20-21 April 2012

Red stripes on white make me think of East India Company - could this be of that ilk (obviously for some other place beginning with A)?
Rob Raeside, 21 April 2012

Last night I did another search, using the outfitter's period of existence and (rather brute force) E.A.C. + 1860 etc. You are right about the East India Company. The height x width ratio is similar and so are the red stripes. The HEIC's are horizontal, this EAC flag has them vertical. I presume the company name is "Eastern Archipelago Company (1847-1858)" The outfitter's data is: Maynard & Harris, London, 1845-1868. Note that I have a presumed identity. It is a decent fit, but I have NO EVIDENCE at all.
Gerard vanE, 21 April 2012

21. North Korean flag on parade Positive ID

I'm attaching a picture of the recent North Korean parade for your consideration. I couldn't identify the flag at the right. I searched the North Korea pages to no avail.
Art, 28 April 2012

It seems to be very similar to Supreme Commander's flag.
Horváth Zoltán, 28 April 2012

I think you're right, its just an effect of the light that make it look 2 tones.
Marc Pasquin, 28 April 2012

22. UFEs from Portugal Positive ID

I believe both images refer to the same flag.
     The context of flag #22b is known, it is the battle of Albujarota. After the death of king Fernando Portugals throne had no heir. Although Joao I was crowned in 1385, Juan I, king of Castilia, took advantage of Portugal’s instability and invaded the country. The armies met on 14 August 1385 near Albujarota. Though stronger by number the Castilians, led by Juan I himself, were defeated by the better led Potuguese forces, commanded by Joao I, councelled by strategist Nuno Alvarez Pereira. As a result Portugal kept his independence from Castilia. Source: flight magazine of TAP Portugal
     About the context of flag #22a, I know nothing. It is part of an oil painting in the parish church of Sao Vicente (Madeira). The flag is on the left side of the painting carried by armed men. In the middle a nimbed warrior dressed in a white robe is kneeling at the foot of a green hill. His horse is standing on the right side with a quina shield fixed at the saddle. I believe, the kneeling knight is Dom Joao, but I am not sure.
     Can anybody assist, what is the context and whether it is the same flag in both images?
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 28 April 2012

Yes, they do [refer to the same flag]. It is the (classic representation of) the personal flag of Nuno Álvares Pereira. I sent it to the list a while back, although a more in-depth description and discussion needs to be done. Thanks for the write up. All this should be soon at the Portugal pages.
António MARTINS-Tuválkin, 29 April 2012

23. UFE flag in Madrid during protests Positive ID

The Spanish newspaper Público (Public), shows today in its online edition a picture of a flag which I cannot recognize. Any comments are welcome.
Esteban Rivera, 2 May 2012

Not my area, but the red cross raguly is typically Spanish, and judging by the uniforms (and other accoutrements) this is meant to represent a military colour of the (late-)18th Century? Given the care with which the era appears to nave been re-created, then (even if not specifically accurate) the colour itself will be (at least) typical of the type.
Christopher Southworth, 2 May 2012

As you mention, it is indeed a Spanish flag. Some might even say a Carlist flag. My best guess is that this flag is some sort of Honor Guard for the Mayor of Madrid (since in the picture the current Mayor appears flanked by guards in what seems to be an official protocol entrance).
Esteban Rivera, 3 May 2012

I would even say a Madrid flag, considering the cross includes the Madrid arms. Does the style of the uniform suggest a certain period or type of force?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 5 May 2012

I am fairly sure that the flag is an 18th century Spanish regimental colour. The uniforms and the size match my hypothesis. Due to size it is probably an infantry flag.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 3 May 2012

They appear to be wearing parade dress in a style of uniform which suggests a period of about 1800 (perhaps a quarter-century before or after), and the fact that the men are presenting arms using full length muskets with fixed bayonets (rather than shorter, cavalry carbines which were not so fitted) means that they are meant to represent an infantry company/battalion. However, not knowing anything specific about Spanish military uniform regulations of the period I cannot, of course, be absolutely certain?
Christopher Southworth, 3 May 2011

     I just received an answer from Antonio Prieto Barrio, a person with whom I keep periodical correspondence regarding Military Medals and he works with the Spanish Ministry of Defence, and he tells me the following: "..se trata de la bandera del Batallón de Voluntarios de Madrid (recreación histórica)" (It's the flag of the Madrid Volunteers Battalion (historical reenactment)
     Thus, it is indeed a historical flag and the full name is 20 Regimiento de Infantería de Línea Voluntarios de Madrid (2nd Infantry Line Regiment Madrid Volunteers" and it was established on August 15, 1808 , during the Guerra de Independencia de España (Spain's Independence War, also known as the Peninsular War, which in turn was part of the Napoleonic Wars).
Sources: http://www.voluntariosdemadrid.es/2VdM and http://en.wikipedia..org/wiki/Peninsular_War
Esteban Rivera, 4 May 2012

24. Unidentified Nazi Sports (?) flag

In our museum’s collection we have this unidentified Nazi flag. It is thought that this flag is actually a Nazi Sport's flag. Do you know what flag this is?
Charles Debono, Curator, National War Museum, Malta, 3 May 2012

25. Native American UFE seen in music video

     The American rock band Rage Against the Machine released "Freedom", a song about Leonard Peltier on their 1992 album "Rage Against the Machine". Leonard Peltier is a Native American activist and member of the American Indian Movement.
     During the video one can see a US flag upside down, together with another flag (horizontal in disposition, having a black vertical stripe to the hoist, then a white stripe, then black again, and then the rest is plain red).
     After looking at all the flags relating North American (continent) Tribes and Nations, the US Heritage flags, and the Canadian Indians, I come to the conclusion that this flag has not been reported to FOTW yet. Now, Peltier being from Grand Forks, North Dakota, (United States), one could say that this flag is from that State or at least a Tribe/Nation with roots there.
     Any guesses on this flag are welcome.
Esteban Rivera, 24 April 2012

Looks like flag of "Republic of the South Moluccas"
Viktor Lomantsov, 24 April 2012

The general design is like the South Moluccas flag, but two of the colors seem wrong. The color quality of the clip showing the UFE is extremely poor, but the flag does not seem to have blue or green stripes. I am not sure that the first stripe is black, however. It is hard to say what color it is. If it were a dark yellow this might be another of the "4 Directions" flags, but the stripe could just as well be red imho.
Ned Smith, 25 April 2011

When you correct for the overall red, the hoist stripe takes on a greenish, or maybe greyish blue, hue. Not really remarkable considering that you're correcting for red, of course, but still something to keep in mind.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 5 May 2012