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Canary Islands (Spain): Military flags shown in the Military Regional Museum

Last modified: 2019-03-31 by ivan sache
Keywords: canary islands |
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• 17th century
  • First Spanish cavalry standard
  • "Scarlet and crimson" military flag
• 18th century
  • Canarian Artillery Militia
  • Guía Colonel's colour
  • Canarian Infantry Battalion
  • Canarian Militia Colonel's colour
• Army colours, 1843-1931
  • Tenerife 64th Infantry Regiment
  • Tenerife Artillery Command
  • La Palma Mountain Battalion No. 8
• Civil War, 1936-1939
• Army colours, 1939-1975
  • Tenerife 32th Infantry Regiment
  • 12th Coastal Battery "Los Guinchos"
• Flags of honour, 1939-1975

See also:

• Spain
• Spain: Flags of the Armed Forces
• Spain: Naval flags
• Canary Islands (Autonomous Community, Spain)

17th century

First Spanish cavalry standard

Cavalry standard, 1638 - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 17 June 2009

The First Spanish cavalry standard, shown on the Proceso de Formación de la bandera de España flag chart, is a square light blue flag with a white Cross of Burgundy surrounded by a white tressure.

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 27 June 2009

"Scarlet and crimson" military flag

Military flag, 1647 - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 June 2009

A probably short-lived flag was introduced in 1647 under Philip IV (1621-1665). The flag is approximative proporions 5:6, scarlet with a crimson Cross of Burgundy and a crown in each corner.
This flag is often referred to in pirate movies as the "scarlet and crimson flag".

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 23 June 2009

18th century

Canarian Artillery Militia

Colour of the Canarian Artillery Militia, 1759-1780 - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 15 May 2010

The flag is white, rectangular with a broad white tail (a schwenkel). In the centre are the greater arms of Spain, topped by a crown, surrounded by a collar of the Order of the Golden Fleece and flanked by military equipment (guns, trumpets, lances, white flags) and partially surrounded by a celestial blue scroll.
The fields of the shield ordered from top to bottom and from left to right are as follows: 1st row: Aragón (Catalonia), Sicily, Austria, Burgundy modern: 2nd row: Parma, inescutcheon, Tuscany; 3rd row (embowed): Burgundy ancient, Flanders, Tirol, Brabant. The tinctures are quite unusual, for instance Sicily (eagles red instead of black), Tirol (eagle black instead of red), Burgundy modern (background red instead of blue) and Tuscany (balls blue instead of red). The inescutcheon is quarterly Castile and León with the Bourbon fleur-de-lis in an oval shield in its centre and the arms of Granada in base.

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 15 May 2010

Guía Colonel's colour

Guía Colonel's colour, 1745 - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 17 May 2010

The colour is squarish, white, with in its centre the greater arms of Spain, topped by a crown, surrounded by two collars, inside of the Order of the Golden Fleece, outside from an order probably later established by the house of Bourbon, showing among others golden fleurs-de-lis.
The fields of the shield ordered from top to bottom and from left to right are as follows: 1st row: Quarterly, Castile and León, Aragón (Catalonia), Sicily, Austria, Burgundy modern; 2nd row: Austria, inescutcheon of Bourbon, Burgundy modern; 3rd row (embowed): Burgundy ancient, Flanders, Tirol, Brabant. The shield has a hole in its centre, the inescutcheon and the inner blueish parts of the arms of Burgundy being completely lost (added in greytone on the image).
The supporters are two lions rampant guardant or, crowned or and langued gules.
In the four corners are embroidered capitals, depicted also in greytone, "R." (upper hoist), "P." or "I." (upper fly), "D." (lower hoist) and "G."(lower fly).

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 17 May 2010

Canarian Infantry Battalion

Colour of the Canarian Infantry Battalion, after 1750 - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 17 May 2010

The battalion used a white squarish flag with a Burgundy red Cross of Burgundy. Both upper ends are topped by golden coronets. The cross is slightly damaged (parts depicted in greytone on the image).

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 17 May 2010

Canarian Militia Colonel's colour

Colonel's colour of the Canarian Militia, after 1750 - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 17 May 2010

The flag is squarish, white with in its centre are the greater arms of Spain, topped by an oversized crown, which is nearly as big as the shield itself, and surrounded by five flintstones and the golden ram, symbolizing the Order of the Golden Fleece.
The fields of the shield ordered from top to bottom and from left to right are as follows: 1st row: Quarterly, Castile and León, Aragón (Catalonia), Sicily, Austria, Burgundy modern; 2nd row: Austria, inescutcheon (slightly damaged parts depicted in graytone on the image, showing Bourbon fleur-de-lis and a red bordure), Burgundy modern; 3rd row (embowed): Burgundy ancient, Flanders, Tirol, Brabant.

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 17 May 2010

Army colours, 1843-1931

According to A. Manzano Lahoz (Las banderas históricas del Ejército Español, 2nd ed., 1996), this pattern was introduced in 1843. With a small gap during the reign of Amadeo I in 1873-74, this basic pattern was used until 1931.

Ian Sumner, 28 January 2009

Tenerife 64th Infantry Regiment

Colour of the Tenerife 64th Infantry Regiment - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 17 June 2009

The colour of the 64th Infantry Regiment Tenerife is in proportions 2:3, horizontally divided red-yellow-red (c. 2:3:2). In the centre of the yellow stripe is the coat of arms, made of a round shield topped by a crown and superimposing a red Cross of Burgundy. The arms are surrounded by an inscription in black capitals letters: "REGIMIENTO DE INFANTERIA TENERIFE No 64".

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 27 June 2009

Tenerife Artillery Command

Colour of the Artillery Command - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 5 July 2009

The colour of the Tenerife Artillery Command, a unit that existed from 1904 to 1924, is square, horizontally divided red-yellow-red (c. 2:3:2). In the centre of the yellow stripe is the coat of arms, made of a round shield topped by a crown and superimposing a red Cross of Burgundy. The arms are surrounded by an inscription in black capitals letters: "ARTILLERIA COMANDANCIA DE TENERIFE".

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 5 July 2009

La Palma Mountain Battalion No. 8

Colour of the La Palma Mountain Battalion - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 8 July 2009

The original Regiment of Chasseurs was renamed La Palma Mountain Battalion No. 8 by Royal Order of 6 July 1925. The battalion was moved to Jaca in 1931 and merged with the Galicia 19th Infantry Regiment, to be renamed 19th Infantry Regiment by Royal Order of 3 June 1931.
The colour is in proportions 2:3, horizontally divided red-yellow-red (c. 1:2:1). In the centre of the flag is a coat of arms of Spanish shield shape and superimposing a red Cross of Burgundy. The shield, topped by a crown, is quarterly, 1. Castile, 2. León, 3. Catalonia, 4. Navarre, grafted in base Granada.

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 8 July 2009

Civil War, 1936-1939

Flag of the Las Palmas Patriotic Volunteers - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 July 2009

The flag of Las Palmas Battalion of Patriotic Volunteers, who arose against the Republican government on 18 July 1936, is in proportions 2:3, horizontally divided red-yellow-red (1:1:1). In the centre of the yellow stripe is placed horizontally a red Cross of St. James slightly shifted to the hoist.

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 July 2009

Army colours, 1939-1975

Tenerife 32th Infantry Regiment

Colour of the 4th Batallion of the Tenerife 32th Infantry Regiment - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 5 July 2009

The colour of the 4th Expeditionary Batallion of the 64th Infantry Regiment Tenerife is in proportions 2:3, horizontally divided red-yellow-red (c. 2:3:2). In the centre of the yellow stripe is the coat of arms of the times. The upper red stripe is charged with a golden inscription "RG^TO. DE INFANTERÍA DE TENERIFE N^o 32". The coat of arms is flanked by "4.^o" and "B^on". In the lower red stripe is the word "EXPEDICIONARIO".

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 5 July 2009

12th Coastal Battery "Los Guinchos"

Colour of the Coastal Battery "Los Guinchos", reverse and obverse - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 6 July 2009

The colour of the Coastal Battery "Los Guinchos", a unit that existed from 1941 to 1965, is square, with a golden fringe, as shown on the Proceso de Formación de la bandera de España flag chart.
The obverse of the flag is horizontally divided red-yellow-red (c. 1:2:1). In the centre of the yellow stripe is the smaller coat of arms of the times, without the pillars of Hercules. The reverse of the flag is divided red-black per bend sinister In the centre of the flag is a yellow disc topped by a yellow flame. The flag has a golden fringe.

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 6 July 2009

Flags of honour, 1939-1975

The Laurel Cross of San Fernando, the highest military decoration for units and individuals as well, was awarded to several units by Government Order of 8 June 1938, published in the official gazette No. 97.

Flag awarded to the Mountain Expeditionary Battery of the Tenerife Artillery Regiment, reverse and obverse - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 4 May 2010

The unit was awarded for merit in action in Madrid from 15 November 1936 to 10 May 1937, during the Civil War.

The flag is squarish, horizontally divided red-yellow-red, framed by a golden fringe on three sides and with yellow and red-yellow-red sashes.
The obverse of the flag is charged in the centre with the coat of arms of Tenerife, displaying the figures of the shield in golden embroiderys upon a silver field. The shield is surrounded by embroidered golden floral ornaments and topped by a coronet of the same kind. The shield is flanked by black embowed inscriptions: "F.E.T. y de las JONS" ("Falange Española Tradicionalista de las Juntas de Ofensiva Nacional-Sindicalista") at upper hoist (the awarder) and "A 1^a BATERIA" at lower fly (the awardee). In the upper hoist is a black yoke with arrows, the symbol of the Falange party. In the lower fly is the symbol of artillery, a golden bomb in a shield in the traditional colours of artillery, red and black.
The reverse of the flag is charged in the centre with a green laurel wreath incribing four black crosses. The wreath is flanked by black embowed inscriptions: "Ciudad Universitaria", which is Madrid, and "15-11-1936 al 10-5-1937", the duration of action.

Klaus-Michael Schneider & Francisco González Leal , 4 May 2010

Flag awarded to the 1st Expeditionary Company of the Supply Group of the Canary Islands , reverse and obverse - Image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 4 May 2010

The unit was awarded for merit in action in Madrid from 15 November 1936 to 10 May 1937, during the Civil War. The banner was handed over in a ceremony held on 25 July 1944 just below the Museum.

The flag is squarish, framed by a golden fringe on three sides and with yellow and red-yellow-red sashes.
The obverse of the flag is horizontally divided red-yellow-red, charged in the centre with a green laurel wreath open at the top and inscribing a black inscription "CIUDAD / UNIVERSITARIA /8 DE JUNIO 1938, referring to Madrid and the date of the Government Order.
The reverse of the flag is divided per bend white-celestial blue, the traditional colours of the Canary Islands. In the centre is the coat of arms of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, flanked by black embowed inscriptions: on top, "F.E.T. y de las JONS" (the awarder), "a" and "la" flanking the medal beneath the shield, in lower fly "ESF c^a del Grupo de Canarias" (the awardee). In the upper fly is a red yoke with arrows. In the lower hoist is a golden wreath with a star of the same colour, the symbol of a supply group.

Klaus-Michael Schneider & Francisco González Leal , 4 May 2010

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