Rare/Genuine WWII Naval Ensign of Poland Based on the Flag of Poland with Coat of Arms. 21585. Rare/Genuine WWII Naval Ensign of Poland Based on the Flag of Poland with Coat of Arms. 21585. Antiques & Militaria

The war ensign is a white over red bicolour, swallow tailed with two tails, on the white stripe is a red shield with a white eagle with a yellow crown. "Naval ensign" and "war ensign" mean the same thing, i.e. the national flag or a variant thereof for use by a nation's navy. It has been used by the Polish Navy since 1919. Following World War I, the Second Polish Republic on 28 November 1918, by the order of Józef Piłsudski, commander of the Armed Forces of Poland, founded the modern Polish Navy. The small naval force was placed under the command of Captain Bogumił Nowotny as its first chief. The first ships, which included several torpedo boats, were acquired from the former Imperial German Navy. In the 1920s and 1930s the Polish Navy underwent a modernisation program under the leadership of Vice-Admiral Jerzy Świrski (Chief of Naval Staff) and Rear-Admiral Józef Unrug (CO of the Fleet). This original piece measures; 95 x 42 ½ cm. It has ‘M.W’ and ‘LONDON 1943’ below another stamp which is illegible. The flag is made from cotton and has the Poland war ensign sewn to either side (silk/cotton). The original halyard is in place. This piece with its markings warrants further investigation. The price includes UK delivery. 21585.