German Red Cross of the GDR 1949-1990 (Germany)

Deutsches Rotes Kreuz der DDR, DRK

Last modified: 2021-02-20 by pete loeser
Keywords: deutsches rotes kreuz | drk | cross(red) | circle | wasserrettungsdienst | bergrettungsdienst |
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• German Red Cross of the GDR
• East German Red Cross Flag c.1949 - 1966
• East German Red Cross Flag since 1966
• East German Red Cross Flag reported 1987
• Water Rescue Service - Wasserrettungsdienst des DRK der DDR
• Mountain Rescue Service - Bergrettungsdienst des DRK der DDR

• International Committee of the Red Cross
• German Red Cross - Deutsches Rotes Kreuz
• Sea Distress Rescue Service of German Democratic Republic - Seenotrettungsdienst der DDR
• Political Organisations 1949-1990 - East Germany
• East Germany 1949-1990
• Index of all German Pages

German Red Cross of the GDR

     Since health care and emergency services were entirely run by the state, domestic activities [of the] Red Cross in the GDR were different from western chapters of this international organisation. The organisation focused on medical education, first aid, CPR, and accident prevention. It also was involved in international aid operations for earthquake victims etc.
Volker Moerbitz Keith, 29 Jan 2001

East German Red Cross Flag c.1949 - 1966

The first flag of the East German Red Cross (shown above) was a white flag with DRK symbol in center. The symbol was a red cross, surrounded by the words DEUTSCHES ROTES KREUZ in a red circle.
Volker Moerbitz Keith, 29 Jan 2001

East German Red Cross Flag 1966-1990

The first flag was replaced in 1966 by a similar one in which DEUTSCHES ROTES KREUZ occupied only the upper half of the red circle, the bottom half being inscribed with DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK, as the official name of this organisation was modified that year from Deutsches Rotes Kreuz to Deutsches Rotes Kreuz der DDR. The inscription was yellow.
Source: Günther 2000.
Santiago Dotor, 5 Oct 2001

East German Red Cross Flag reported 1987

Later the circumscription was changed a second time and DEUTSCHE DEMOKRATISCHE REPUBLIK was replaced by simply DDR. The new pattern appears on various pennants and especially on a GDR stamp from 1987, but it was probably introduced much earlier.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 9 Feb 2021

Water Rescue Service - Wasserrettungsdienst des DRK der DDR

Water Rescue Service Flag #1

The flag was white with centred red cross in a yellow life belt garnished blue, surrounded by a rope of the same, fixed four times at the blue ribbons on the life belt. The belt has an inscription in blue initials: "DEUTSCHES" (left) "ROTES" (above) "KREUZ" (right) and "WRD" (below), the abbreviation of "Wasserrettungsdienst".
Source: here
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 15 Feb 2021

Water Rescue Service Flag #2

The flag was white with centred red cross in a yellow life belt garnished blue, surrounded by a rope of the same, fixed four times at the blue ribbons on the life belt. The belt has an inscription in blue initials: "DEUTSCHES" (left) "ROTES" (above) "KREUZ" (right) and "DDR" (below), this one is probably newer, established to stress the independence of the DDR.
Source: ebay-kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/aufnaeher-wasserrettungsdienstes-des-drk-der-ddr/1648337276-234-276
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 15 Feb 2021

Water Rescue Service Flag #3

The flag was white with centred red cross in a white life belt garnished blue, surrounded by a rope of the same, fixed four times at the blue ribbons on the life belt. The belt has an inscription in blue initials: "DDR" (below).
Source: information provided by Dieter Kleist in 2001
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 15 Feb 2021

Mountain Rescue Service - Bergrettungsdienst des DRK der DDR

Mountain Rescue Service Flag #1

The flag was white, within a double greyish rope in circle was a red cross, surrounded by a blue circumscription "DEUTSCHES ROTES KREUZ" (above) "BERGRETTUNGDIENST" (below) with blue separators in centre, superimposing two brown skis in saltire and a brown ski stick in pale.
Source: ebay.de/itm/Bergrettungsdienst-DRK-DDR-Fahne-Tuch-Wimpel-Original-DVP-VP-NVA-KVP/324240636199
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 15 Feb 2021

Mountain Rescue Service Flag #2

The flag was white, within a double greyish rope in circle was a red cross, surrounded by a blue circumscription "DEUTSCHES ROTES KREUZ" (around) "DDR" (in base), superimposing two brown skis in saltire and a brown ski stick in pale.
Source: ebay.de/itm/DDR-Aufnaeher-DRK-Deutsches-Rotes-Kreuz-Junger-Bergunfallhelfer-113343-/333585478023
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 15 Feb 2021