Command flag, Rear Admiral, Imperial Germany (1869-1918)<br><p>Command flag, Rear Admiral, Imperial Germany, 1869-1918 pattern. It was reputedly removed from the battlecruiser 'Hindenburg' 1915 after her scuttling at Scapa Flow, 21 June 1919. The 'Hindenburg' sank slowly on an even keel, and her upperworks remained above the water. In 1930 she was re-floated and towed away for scrap. The flag is likely to be that of the German Commander of the interned fleet, Rear-Admiral Ludwig von Reuter (1869-1943). It was he who ordered that its ships should be sunk rather than be handed over to the Allies as part of the peace terms.
</p><p>Ludwig von Reuter had been captain of 'Derfflinger' during the battle of Dogger Bank. As Commodore, he commanded the Fourth Scouting Group of light cruisers at Jutland and as Rear Admiral SMS 'Kaiser' and SMS 'Kaiserin' during the second battle of Heligoland Bight in 1917. He was ordered to take command of the High Seas Fleet during its internment after Admiral Franz von Hipper had refused.
</p><p>The flag is made of wool bunting with a cotton hoist. It is machine sewn with the design printed onto the fabric. A rope is attached to the flag for hoisting. Stencilled on the hoist :'Contre Admirals fl Boot' (indicating that it was a boat flag) also the initial 'W' with a crown above. The flag has a white field with a black cross pattée and two black discs in the hoist quarters.<br></p>
Command flag, Rear Admiral, Imperial Germany (1869-1918)
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