Mozambican Military flags

Last modified: 2004-07-03 by jarig bakker
Keywords: warflag | roundel |
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• Mozambican warflag
• Mozambican roundel
• (no) Naval Ensign

• Mozambique

War flag (1975-1983)

The flag is from 'Flags and arms across the world', by Whitney Smith, 1980 - no text.
Does anybody know when this flag was used? Is it still used or has it been replaced?
Jarig Bakker, 8 Feb 2001

I can't give much more info now then I was able in 1996. I am not aware of any other source then Smith 1980 showing this flag (smi75 does not yet have it). Certainly, it is not shown in Album recap. 1995 nor Album 2000. OTOH, very similar (or even exactly the same) emblem is used still nowdays as part of the air force roundel. (black, red equaliateral triangle pointing up, yellow emblem). The flag looks more like a party flag, or possible military colour then the war flag. It may be conceived that such flags were (mis?)reported in 1980 as war flag as still the country was young and possibly situation was unsetteled.
Zeljko Heimer, 9 Feb 2001

On Antonio Martins' website is written (my translation):
"In an unusual arrangement, even more so for military flags, this one consisted onf a version of the then national flag with a plain red background and a simplified yellow coat of arms. Very similar to what would become the flag of FRELIMO itself."
Jorge Candeias, 20 Feb 2001

In view of Antonio's caption "Moçambique (1975-1983): bandeira militar" I assume that it was an army flag of some kind (FRELIMO paramilitaries?), but not the Mozambican warflag - Mozambique's warflag is its national flag, no?
Jarig Bakker, 20 Feb 2001

Actually it isn't clear at all. The expression "bandeira militar" means "military flag". Now, what's a military flag? Either it's a generic term for any flag used in the military forces, or it's something quite close to a warflag. But not quite a warflag, I suppose. My impression is that the status of this flag was pretty close to the status of the Portuguese military flag. The Portuguese military flag does not replace the national flag in any circumstance (and therefore is not a warflag) but is the flag of the Portuguese armed forces. A sort of the top in the hierarchy of branch and regimental colors.
Jorge Candeias, 21 Feb 2001

The technical term for a military color in a number of Spanish-speaking countries is "bandera de guerra"--war flag. But it's not a war flag as used by FIAV, it's (usually) a variation of the national flag with fancier embroidery and the unit name, motto, etc., on it, carried on parade, not hoisted above the camp as a substitute for the national flag.
Joe McMillan, 21 Feb 2001

The flag is honoured, yes, but soldiers swear to the *national* flag when they finish basic instruction, for instance.
Jorge Candeias, 22 Feb 2001

Mozambican roundel