Guide to WWII Guards Flags

[DougD]

A client recently asked me the differences between Guards flags, as he has seen different designs. I told him that I'd try to prepare a basic guide.

There were three 'levels' of Guards Unit flags: Army, Corps., and then Divisional/Brigade/Regt.

The three flags are all quite striking, and ultra-rare to collectors (there ARE repros out there).

DD

[DougD]

The most ornate design is that of the Guards Army. Here is the standard of the 1st Guards Army. Note the design around the edge of the flag and the side-looking Lenin on the reverse.

[DougD]

The second most intricate design is that for the Guards Corps. Here is the 1st Guards Cavalry Corps. Again, the Lenin on the reverse ( only Guards units could use Lenins image on the flag) is side looking.

DD

[DougD]

Here is a real life one I had in; sorry for not 'shooting' it well; the flash warps the edging color too. Its for the 5th Guards "Stalingrad' Tank Corps.

DD

[DougD]

The final style of Guards flags is that used by Divisions, Brigades, and Regiments. There is no Guards insignia on this version, though the Lenin ont he reverse is done in greater detail and is front looking.

This is for the 29th Guards Rifle Division.

DD

[DougD]

Here is a well worn, but needless to say ultra-rare, WWII Air Force Guards Regimental Flag for the 129th Guards Fighter Regt. Air and Army units used the same style of flag. Note "Death to the German Invaders" on the top.

The color is a bit dark as i had to shoot it indoors on the floor : )

DD

[DougD]

Here are a few Guards ( and non-guards) flags in the Central Armed Forces Museum.

DD

[Soviet]

Originally Posted by DougD

Here is a well worn, but needless to say ultra-rare, WWII Air Force Guards Regimental Flag for the 129th Guards Fighter Regt. Air and Army units used the same style of flag. Note "Death to the German Invaders" on the top.

Almost the same flags :

#1 153rd Guards Artillery Regiment
#2 6th Guards Cavalry Regiment
#3 36th Guards Shooting Division
#4 2nd Guards Motorised Bataillon
#5 42nd Guards Shooting Division

@ Stalingrad Panorama Museum in Volgograd

[Soviet]

At the Central Armed Forces Museum in Moscow.

[DougD]

The lighting in the Stalingrad museum is so poor it makes good shots difficult; most of mine were like yours, blurry. However, the last shot of the Guards standard without a Guards design is very interesting; it is a standard 1942/3 unit flag, but with Guards designation! I remember seeing it last time and thinking how odd; probably made without knowing the special Guards flags regulations; they simply added "guards" to the regular flag.

On a side note, all unit flags are owned by the Central Armed Forces Museum and are considered 'on loan' to the other museums; this provided some problems when the USSR broke up and certain museums ( i.e. in Kiev. etc.) refused to return the standards they had on display.

DD