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Proposals 1944-1949 (Germany)

Introduction
Christian Democratic Union proposals 1948
Robert Lehrs proposal 1948
E. Redslob proposal 1948
Paul Wentzke proposal 1948
Josef Wirmer's "Resistance Flag" proposal 1944
Free German Commitee proposal 1944

See also:

Introduction

As it became clear that Germany was going to be defeated in the war, various proposals for new flags for the country were made. Some of these are shown below. The colours of the Federal Republic of Germany flag were adopted 18 October 1948. The debate about the proposals occurred on 8 May 1949. The main proposals were one of the CDU proposals (yellow with red cross fimbrated black) and the one of the SPD, like the Weimar Republic flag. The socialists' proposal was adopted (49 votes to 1) and took effect 9 May 1949. Sources: the main source is an article from Lucien Philippe in Vexillinfo 123-24. Some notes are taken from other Bulletins.

Jaume Ollé, 4 May 1998

Interestingly, these proposals were very similar to those made by Prince Adalbert of Prussia in 1849-50, although these designs were unknown in the 1940s (the sketches were discovered in the late 1960s). Source: A Flag Against Hitler, Arnold Rabbow, Flag Bulletin #100 - Neubecker Festschrift; Vol XXII: No. 3-4, May-August 1983.

Dave Martucci, 6 June 1998

Christian Democratic Union proposals 1948

by Jaume Ollé

The CDU proposal for a German Flag was voted on by the faction on 3 November 1948 and it was based on the "Resistance Movement" flag of 1944, with the colors of the cross and the fimbriation reversed. Konrad Adenauer backed the flag and it received considerable media attention. Nevertheless, it was not adopted. The flag was red, with a black fimbriated yellow Scandinavian-style cross. Interestingly enough, the CDU adopted its party flag during its convention in Hamburg 18-22 April 1953, the original Resistance flag with a large yellow eagle added.

Dave Martucci, 4 May 1998