THE FLAGS OF THE
REGIA MARINA

di Ernesto Vitetti
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Flags

The Regia Marina was born on march 17th, 1861 with the merging of the Royal Sardinian Navy, the Neapolitan Army of the Sea and the Navy of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. The Pontifical Navy would be added in 1971. At the date of its creation, the Regia Marina adopted the flag for all warships and merchant ships as originally set for the Royal Sardinian Navy in 1948.  

 
Warships
 
Merchant Ships
     
Jack
 

Detail of the Royal Arms
Instituted by Royal Decree dated April 22nd, 1879and hoisted  at the bowsprit of every ship at anchor. It was used at sea only if the ship was full dressed.
 		    
Minister of the Navy
 
Undersecretary of marine
Instituted by general order dated February 26th 1927. Hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of the Minister of the Navy, and at the bow of ships' launches and other minor craft. To be saluted with 19 guns.
 		   Same as the prime Minister, but to be saluted by only 17 guns.
Admiral of the Fleet
 
Royal naval Chief of Staff
Instituted by general order No. 291, dated December 12th, 1926 and hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of an Admiral of the Fleet and on the bow of ships' launches and other minor craft. To be saluted with 19 guns.
 		   Instituted by general order No. 78, dated March 19th 1917. The number of stars displayed indicates the rank of the admiral. Hoisted at the main or on the bow of ships' launches and other minor craft.
Admiral (1st Class)
 
Vice-Admiral (1st Class)
Instituted by general order No. 291 dated December 12th, 1926 and hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of an Admiral or on the bow of ships' launches and other minor craft. To be saluted with 17 guns.
 		   Instituted by general order No. 87 dated April 13th, 1939. Hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of a Vice Admiral or on the bow of ships' launches and other minor craft. To be saluted with 15 guns.
 
Vice-Admiral (2nd Class)
 
Rear-Admiral
Instituted by general order No. 291 dated December 12th, 1926 and hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of a Rear Admiral or on the bow of ships' launches and other minor craft. To be saluted with 13 guns.   Instituted by general order No. 291 dated December 12th, 1926 and hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of a Rear Admiral or on the bow of ships' launches and other minor craft. To be saluted with 11 guns.
 
Captain commanding a naval division
 
 
Instituted by Royal Decree dated September 20th, 1882 hoisted at the main to indicate the presence on board of the Senior Captain, should several ships lie at anchor without a Flag being hoisted on any of them.   Notes:
1) The stars on the Admirals' flags  were six-pointed, but later  changed to five points by a decree dated September 3rd, 1916.
 

Technical Corps

General Officers of the Technical Corps of the Navy hoisted white flags with red stars, like generals of the Army. By general order No. 23 dated March 18th, 1944, they were granted the same blue flags as the Admirals, but with white stars instead of the yellow ones.
 
Vice-Admiral - Technical Corps
(1st Class)
  
Vice-Admiral - Technical Corps
(2ndClass)
     
Rear Admiral - Technical Corps
    
     

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