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When you look at old renditions of war photos theres always a unarmed man on the front lines with a flag. The amount of bravery that takes is admirable but it seems kind of useless.
Those were brave men who knew that the flag meant something back then. not these pansies asses today!!! Just saying
Before communications technology you had to physically display which side you were on so you dont accidently kill your own side. That and you had to motivate your troops since chances are they are just as unlikely to want to be fighting the battle as the opponent.
Flag bearers did both of those roles. They communicated where the unit was on the battlefield for the commanders to strategize. As well as give the soldiers something to latch on to for thier side. Losing your banner was a big deal and often if things were bad enough tossing the flag into enemy territory just signalled you were fighting to the last man, which given the nature of battle worked occasionally.
Because of just what your flag/ standard meant. Even as far back as the Roman legions you have those carrying the Eagle. It's a symbol of purpose and patriotism for the whole army.
Often times those were people who refused to shoot at the enemy. Between medics and flag bearers, there were a suprising number of people willing to do at least do something even if it went against their morals to harm another human.
In the US Civil War The battle of Antietam the rebels were giving the feds a good ass whipping and they completely killed the whole charging force of feds except for the flag holder and he kept charging not realising his whole division was wiped out behind him and the rebel leaders yelled a cease fire to the rest of the rebels and the fed walked right up to the rebels and they said "go back ya fuckin dumbass" the fed turned to look back and realized his whole division was dead then turned back to the rebels again and solluted them and walked back to his lines while the rebels cheered for him
True story lol