1916 Aurora Significance

Question: 

Dear John,   


I have a rough idea of the significance of the events on the Aurora in 1916. What is the worth of the communist flag that flew over the Aurora in latter day communist Russia?

Respectfullly yours,


Chuck

Answer: 

Dear Chuck:
Sorry for the delay, but I hadn't looked at my email in days and I was flooded, so I missed a few. Anyway, you pose an interesting question. First of all, we are assuming that the original "Communist" flag  that flew over the cruiser Aurora still exists. Secondly any flag that it worn in later days may have been replaced as the Soviet naval ensign went though several changes over the decades. Thirdly, we would have to determine when the highest award ensign was granted to the Aurora. According to materials that I have, there were three levels of naval ensign.

  1. The Ship's Colors. Your basic naval ensign or national flag for use by the navy.
  2. Guards.  The "Guards" award was given to a military or naval unit and carried throughout the life of the unit. For example, the 15th Infantry division distinguishes itself in battle. It is given the "Guards" designation. It is thereafter known as the "15th Guards Infantry". I don't know how this designation is used for individual vessels, but you would have a "2nd Guards Destroyer Squadron". A Guards ensign would have an additional orange and black ribbon printed onto the flag.
  3. Red Banner. The Highest Award. The Red star on the naval ensign is replaced by a more decorative red star badge. A unit is thereafter referred to as a "Red Banner" unit. An example of this would be the "Red Banner Northern Fleet".
  4. The Aurora was given the unique designation as a "Guards Red Banner" unit. The ensign had both the orange ribbon and the red star badge.

Unfortunately, I don't have that much material on the Aurora, so it would be hard for me to say if the "original" Communist flag even exists today. If it did, I'm sure that it would be priceless. Unless I am mistaken, the Aurora today wears the current Russian naval ensign.   
Sincerely,
John Gamez

 

Update: we received the following reply from NAVA member Zach Harden

On page one, one person asked about the current "Aurora" flag, and it is the Russian Naval flag, with the awards the "Aurora" has received from the Soviet Union. They had a special ensign during the later days in the
Soviet Union. It was the Soviet Naval Flag, with the two awards the "Aurora" got from the Soviet government. The awards were placed near the big red star.  I can provide a picture to show what it looks like.  The ship is currently docked in Moscow, as a war memorial, and a standing monument of the former USSR.

Zach Harden