Auckland Flag
The Auckland FlagOne lady who had not noticed that both of them were waving the flag said it was a reflection of her great interest in the subject.
Mercantile marine is honored with dockside flag
On Wednesday (3 September), the Red Flag will be launched for the first the Auckland Harbour Bridge next to New Zealand's flag to remember the commercial navy's place in the war. September 3rd is formally known as Mercantile Marine Day and pays tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made during the war by the commercial ship-occupiers.
"The Merchant Marine was instrumental in the transportation of forces, civilian supplies and essential freight around the globe during the war under the continuous threats of hostile attacks, and the flight of the New Zealand Red Ensign from the port deck would further acknowledge the contributions of this distinguished group of people," says Ernst Zöllner, regional director of the NZ Transport Agency for Auckland.
September 3 was also the beginning of World War II in 1939. Since 1901, the New Zealand flag has been used on all New Zealand merchant navy vessels - both freighters and passengers. This flag is also used on recreational craft. It' s identically designed with the New Zealand flag, only the backgrounds are reddish instead of azure.
The New Zealand flag is normally taken by both flag sticks every single flight of the year on the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The Waitangi Sunday, on which the flag of Tino Rangatiratanga is hoisted, and ANZAC Sunday, on which the Aussie flag is hoisted, were two exemptions. Now the third exemption will be the Merchant Navy's Red Ensign, who will be flying next to the New Zealand flag every September 3.
PHOTO: The President of the Auckland Merchant Navy Association Bill Law is flying the flag this mornings.