Last modified: 2004-11-20 by rob raeside
Keywords: bulgaria |
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Ivanov (1998) explains how near the end of 1954 an official initiative was made to change the naval flags, due their incompatibility with the "modern needs and organization of the Navy, Border Army and DOSO". In the proper channels the flags were adopted by political bodies, and then through the military command line, so that finally an order of the Commander of the Fleet of 18 July 1955 established the date for the first use of these flags on 24 July 1955. Decree #371 of 18 December 1954 issued by the Presidium of the People's Assembly may be considered as the day of adoption.
In Ivanov (1998) are given descriptions of flags from this Decree as well as six pages of reproductions of flag images that appear to be from that Decree. In this presentation I follow the order of the flags from Ivanov (1998).
As I suggested yesterday, the system of flags adopted in Bulgaria in 1954/55 is clearly based on the Soviet model adopted few years before (1950).
Željko Heimer, 15 September 2001
The national tricolour flag with a flag in canton similar to the naval ensign in which the star is replaced with the coat of arms. This is the flag of the head of state. With the 1971 constitutional changes the title of the head of state was changed, but since the coat of arms was changed in the meantime, we'll cover that change eventually. As noted above, this flag particularly well shows that the two bottom stripes are together less wide then 1/3 of the hoist.
Željko Heimer, 15 September 2001
As naval ensign with the coat of arms in place of the red star. In the modern terms this would be the flag of prime-minister.
Željko Heimer, 15 September 2001
Minister of People's Defence (Flag na minist'ra na narodnata otbrana). A flag in the pattern of the naval ensign, in which the red star is surrounded with a golden-yellow wreath with a ribbon. As naval ensign but the red star is surrounded with golden wreath.
Željko Heimer, 15 September 2001
Minister of Interior (Flag na minist'ra ba v'treshnite raboti).
A green rectangular flag with the Minister of Defence flag set in the canton (i.e. naval ensign with golden wreath around the star).
Željko Heimer, 15 September 2001
Chief of the General Staff of the Bulgarian People's Army (Flag na nachalnika na Generalniya shtab na BNA). As naval ensign with two golden rifles in saltire set behind the red star.
Željko Heimer, 15 September 2001
Commander of Border Army (Flag na komanvishtya granichni voiski). As Senior Flag Officer, but green flag. Ivanov (1998) noted that in the process of adoption of these flags the Ministry of Interior proposed that this flag be introduced instead of the flag for the Chief of Staff. The proposal was accepted by the Ministry of Defence, but in the final documents both flags were included.
Željko Heimer, 15 September 2001
2:7, by Željko Heimer
Border Army Division Commander Pennant (Breid-vimpel na komandira na divizion korabi ot Granichni voiski). A pennat consisting of the naval ensign at hoist to which is attached a swallow-tailed green triangular pennant.
Željko Heimer, 20 January 2004
Chief of Staff of Border Army (Flag na nachalnik shtaba na Granichni voiski). A green flag with the naval ensign in the canton and a white five-pointed star in the fly.
Željko Heimer, 20 January 2004
2:7, by Željko Heimer
Border Army Group Commander Pennant (Breid-vimpel na komandir na otryad granichni korabi). A pennant consisting of the naval ensign at hoist to which is attached a green triangular pennant.
Željko Heimer, 20 January 2004