Flag of the Soviet Navy. The Soviet Navy

The Soviet military fleet was part of the Armed Forces structure throughout the entire period of the USSR's existence. The ships of the Soviet Navy were always ready to defend the borders of the state. Many sailors distinguished themselves during the Great Patriotic War.

Flag of the Soviet Navy

During the entire period of the Soviet fleet's existence, the color of the flag changed several times. This was due either to the creation of new fleets, or to a change in the geopolitical situation.

The first flag of the Soviet Navy was officially approved in 1923. What did he look like? A rectangular cloth of red color was taken, in the middle of which a sun with 8 rays was depicted. Since this flag was to some extent similar to the national symbol of Japan, after the formation of the Pacific Fleet in 1932, Soviet naval sailors initiated the development of a sketch of a new flag. Such actions were logical in the light of a certain hostility of Japan to our state. The naval flag of the USSR in the new design was approved by a government decree of May 27, 1935. Coloring did not change fundamentally. Now it was a white canvas with a blue strip on the bottom. In the center of the flag was a five-pointed star, as well as a sickle and a hammer. It can be seen that the flag has more traditional Soviet elements. The general appearance of the flag was changed in 1950. No new symbols were added, but the party leadership decided to change the location of the star and sickle in places.

Honorary flag of the Soviet fleet

There was also the Honorary Naval Flag. It was used during ceremonies or was given to captains of especially distinguished ships. Its appearance also changed several times during the existence of the Soviet fleet. For example, the first version of this flag was very similar to the usual flag of the Soviet Navy, except that a large white cross was placed in the upper left corner.

What do the flags mean on the ship?

At sea there are different situations, so a special warning system in the form of flags on ships. This includes up to 80 different characters. It can be flags-commands (give back or a small move, etc.), warnings (for example, the course of the ship is conducted in a dangerous direction), alerts (a man fell overboard, a distress signal on the ship). Flags can also signal the ship's turns. A special distinctive sign was necessarily raised on the frontier guard on duty.

Also on the ship there must be a flag of the state under the jurisdiction of which the ship is located. As you know, the territory of the ship is equated with the land territory of the country of registration.