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Command and Rank flags (The Netherlands)

Commando- en onderscheidingsvlaggen

Last modified: 2003-10-31 by jarig bakker
Keywords: rank | army | navy |
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Introduction

In the Dutch navy there is a distiction between command flags (indicating a function) and rank flags (indicating a rank). The designs are similar, but the former have proportions 1:1, the latter 2:3.
Mark Sensen, 24 Jul 2002

Command flags

Admiral (Admiraal)

[Command flag Admiral] by Mark Sensen, 24 Jul 2002

An Admiral has two crossed batons in the red stripe near the hoist of the tricolour. I think each baton has five lions on it.
Adopted for the last time by Order in Council 31 August 1956 No. 46.
Mark Sensen, 16 and 20 September 1998

Dutch navy regulations VVKM 9 (official flag regulations for the Dutch navy) don't give the exact size of the bâtons, just the position of the center. This is at half the height of the red stripe and at one quarter of the flag length.
Mark Sensen, 24 Jul 2002

Note that the rank of Admiral in the Netherlands navy is equivalent to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet in other navies, while the rank of Lieutenant-Admiral in the Netherlands navy is equivalent to the rank of Admiral in other navies.

Since the Kingdom of the Netherlands was established in 1815, there have only been two Admirals (of the fleet).
The first was Prince Frederik, second son of King Willem I, who was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 1 January  1830. In 1840 he laid down all his functions, after his father abdicated.
The second was Prince Hendrik 'de Zeevaarder' ('the Seaman'), third son of King Willem II. He was promoted to the rank of Admiral on his deathbed on 7 january 1879, six days before he died. He was promoted by his brother King Willem III as a reward for his naval career.
Source: Luc Eekhout, "Het Admiralenboek; De vlagofficieren van de Nederland