 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2013) |
| People's Navy Volksmarine | |
|---|---|
 Insignia of the Volksmarine | |
| Active | 1 March 1956 – 2 October 1990 |
| Country |  East Germany |
| Branch | Ministry of National Defence |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Coastal defence |
| Size | 27,000 |
| Part of | .svg){kind=small} Nationale Volksarmee |
| Headquarters | Rostock |
| March | Präsentiermarsch der Volksmarine |
| Engagements | Cold War |
| Decorations | See article |
| Commanders | |
| Commanders | See list
|
| Insignia | |
| Naval ensign (warships) (1960–1990) | .svg) |
| Naval ensign (auxiliary ships) (1960-1990) | .svg) |
| Naval jack (1960–1990)[1] |  |
_-_1962_-_Image_002.jpg)
The Volksmarine (VM, German pronunciation: [ˈfɔlksmaˌʁiːne]; English: People's Navy) was the naval force of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) from 1956 to 1990. The Volksmarine was one of the service branches of the National People's Army and primarily performed a coastal defence role along the GDR's Baltic Sea coastline and territorial waters.
Disbanded one day before the official reunification of Germany, the Volksmarine served as the naval arm of the East German state for 34 years. Rostock, former home port and headquarters of the Volksmarine, houses Navy Command for the post-reunification Deutsche Marine.
- ^ Arrangement concerning the carrying of flags, pennants and standards on ships and boats of the People's Navy - Flag array 'of 12 July 1979 , § 2 (3).