A flag enthusiast has spoken out about why he flies a Nazi Germany flag outside his home.
Residents were initially horrified to see the flag, known as the Kriegsmarine, displayed outside the man's home in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
The flag was seen flickering in the wind alongside another bearing the White Ensign and the Naval Poppy which both represent the Royal Navy.
Neighbours expressed concerns after they were raised together on May 27 with pictures circulating on social media, reports Yorkshire Live.
But the man who flies them claims he is a flag enthusiast who regularly erects all kinds of banners to mark different occasions.
The 57-year-old explained that May 27 was the anniversary of the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck during the Second World War which resulted in the death of 2,000 German soldiers.
The tragedy took place just three days after the Royal Navy battlecruiser HMS Hood was sunk by the Bismark during the Battle of the Denmark Strait in 1941.
"That's what it was in memory of," the man said.
"My father fought in the Second World War and as a naval tradition you show respect to your enemy as well as your own flag.
"There was no intention of causing any offence to anyone. It's not glorifying war, it's commemorating it. It was a matter of showing respect.
"I would have thought people would have understood that with the poppy being flown at the same time."
Despite this, many who saw the picture did not know the context.
Social media was flooded with thousands of comments, with some stating it was "shocking and upsetting" to see.
The flag enthusiast, who wished to remain anonymous, said the police visited him three times on Sunday after complaints were made.
Officers said they were "concerned about threat" and visited a fourth time on Monday morning.
The man said that he has had an interest in flags his whole life and has been erecting them outside his home for a few years.
He is currently flying three flags to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and also raised the NHS flag during the pandemic.
Now, he displays a notice outside of his home to explain what each flags represent in a bid to clear up any confusion.
Talking about the controversy over the Nazi navy flag, the man said: "I'm surprised it would cause that much offence when I have given enough information. Going forward that flag won't be flown again.
"I'm the opposite to what that flag was intended for. I would classify myself as a pacifist, not a war monger.
"It had nothing to do with politics or anything like that, it was more to lighten up people's day when they go past and see a flag.
"If people ask what the flags are for, I'm more than happy to explain."
The man stated he was now on the search for a more modern Kreigsmarine flag that does not feature a swastika.
However, if he can't find one he will alter the flag to remove the swastika before flying it again in the future.
The man's neighbours were more sympathetic to him, with one named Laura describing him as a "really nice guy" whose flags brighten up the community by bringing a "bit more colour".
However, others were less sympathetic, with one woman saying it was "a bit strange".
Another neighbour added: "I think it was silly mistake to be honest."
