This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website

Kingdom of Italy (1848-1946) - Army Rank Flags

Last modified: 2004-12-30 by dov gutterman
Keywords: italy |
Links: FOTW homepage | search | disclaimer and copyright | write us | mirrors




See also:


Overview

WW II Italian Army general officers' ranks, were as follows (insignia worn on the field service cap):
- First Marshal of the Empire - a gold eagle clutching a fasces (scarlet background). This rank was held only by the King.
- Marshal of Italy - four stars (scarlet frame, white background, gold stars edged scarlet).
- General of Army - three stars; otherwise the same as above.
- General of Army Corps (commanding an Army) - a gold crown and baton between two stars; otherwise the same as above.
- General of Army Corps - a gold crown between two stars; otherwise the same as above.
- General of Division - two stars; otherwise the same as above.
- General of Brigade - one star; otherwise the same as above.
Source: Rosignoli's books on army rank badges.
Tom Gregg , 26 March 2000

The rank of "first marshall of the empire" wasn't only owned by the king (Vittorio Emanuele III), but also by Benito Mussolini. It could seem strange  but they had the same army rank. It was because this new rank was created by the fascist parlament just after the war of Ethiopia and the proclamation of the Italian Empire. This parlament that was all fascist and only depending on Mussolini and gave the same rank to him and to the king (without asking anything from the king who, before that, was the only one to have the highest in rank in italian army).
Guido Malberti, 4 June 2000

Here is the description of army rank flags during the Fascist era:
Army - white flags with red emblems arranged diagonally. All stars were five-pointed.
Army Chief of Staff: stars according to rank inside a red inner border and a white outer border.
Marshal of Italy: four stars
General of an Army: three stars
General of a Corps: a crown between two stars
General of a Division: two stars
General of a Brigade: one star
Miles Li, 21 January 2001


Marshal


by Ivan Sache, 20 March 2000

Marshall of Italy during the Mussolinian era - Rectangular white flag (2:3) with four five-pointed red stars placed along the upper hoist-lower fly diagonal.
Now used by a General of Army.
Source: Flaggenbuch [neu92].
Ivan Sache, 20 March 2000


Army Chief of Staff


by Ivan Sache, 20 March 2000

Chief of the general staff during the Mussolinian era - As above but with a red border inside the flag and the number of stars according to the rank of the officer. Seems to be still in use.
Source: Flaggenbuch [neu92].
Ivan Sache, 20 March 2000


General of an Army


by Ivan Sache, 20 March 2000

General of Army during the Mussolinian era - Same as Marshall, but with only three stars.
Now used by a General of Army Corps.
Source: Flaggenbuch [neu92].
Ivan Sache, 20 March 2000


General of Army Corps


by Miles Li, 7 December 2004


General of a Division


by Ivan Sache, 20 March 2000

General of Corps during the Mussolinian era - Same as Marshall, but with only two stars.
Now used by a General of Division.
Source: Flaggenbuch [neu92].
Ivan Sache, 20 March 2000


General of a Brigade


by Ivan Sache, 20 March 2000

General of Brigade during the Mussolinian era- Same as Marshall, but with only one star. Still in use.
Source: Flaggenbuch [neu92].
Ivan Sache, 20 March 2000


Milizia Volontaria di Sicurezza Nazionale (MVSN)

Commander-General


by Ivan Sache , 13 July 1999

Commander-General , Milizia Volontaria di Sicurezza Nazionale (Kingdom of Italy (Mussolinian era) - Rectangular (2:3) black flag with three yellow five-pointed stars placed along the upper hoist-lower fly diagonal.
Source: Flaggenbuch [neu92].
Ivan Sache , 20 March 2000


Chief of the General Staff


by Ivan Sache , 13 July 1999

Chief of the general staff , Milizia Volontaria di Sicurezza Nazionale (Kingdom of Italy (Mussolinian era) - Rectangular (2:3) black flag including a black rectangle fimbriated in yellow and one, two or three yellow five-pointed stars placed along the upper hoist-lower fly diagonal. The number of stars refers to the rank, here lieutenant-general.
Source: Flaggenbuch [neu92].
Ivan Sache , 20 March 2000


Lieutenant-General


by Ivan Sache , 13 July 1999

Lieutenant-general , Milizia Volontaria di Sicurezza Nazionale (Kingdom of Italy (Mussolinian era) - Similar to Commander-general but with only two stars.
Source: Flaggenbuch [neu92].
Ivan Sache , 20 March 2000


Consul-General


by Ivan Sache , 13 July 1999

Consul-general , Milizia Volontaria di Sicurezza Nazionale (Kingdom of Italy (Mussolinian era) - Similar to Lieutenant-general, but with only one star.
Source: Flaggenbuch [neu92].
Ivan Sache , 20 March 2000