The flag consisted of a white square on which was displayed a large black Iron Cross.

Placed behind it were two straight bladed unsheathed swords in bright yellow, crossed at right angles to each other.

The flag was modified when on 1 April 1939 Erich Raeder rose to the rank of Großadmiral.

On 30 January 1943 a further special flag was introduced for Großadmiral Raeder in order to represent his position as Admiralinspekteur of the Kriegsmarine.

It was in the same design as for the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, but with the addition of a wide light blue border.