upcScavenger » German Words And Phrases » Wiki: Reichsmarschall

Reichsmarschall

( German Words And Phrases )

History
Standards
Uniform
Notes
References
Sources

C O N T E N T S

Germany Hitler Rank Ring

Rank: 100%

Wiki
Comments
Media

Reichsmarschall (; ) was an honorary military rank, specially created for Hermann Göring during World War II, and the de jure highest rank in the Wehrmacht. It was senior to the rank of Generalfeldmarschall (, equivalent to field marshal, which was previously the highest rank in the Wehrmacht), but was merely a ceremonial appointment to accentuate Göring's position as Adolf Hitler designated successor. No actual subordination of the other field marshals or a superior position of the holder followed from it. It was equivalent to General of the Armies in the United States, or Generalissimo in other countries.

History

Until July 1940, the highest rank in the German military was Generalfeldmarschall. At the beginning of World War II, the only active holder of that rank was Hermann Göring, Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe. On 19 July 1940, following the German victory in the Battle of France, Adolf Hitler held a ceremony in which he promoted twelve generals to the newly awarded rank of Generalfeldmarschall. During the same ceremony, Göring was elevated to the newly created rank of Reichsmarschall, a symbolic move to highlight his seniority over other Wehrmacht commanders and to fulfill his ambitions for prestige, though it conferred no additional authority. This was done in order to ensure that the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (, abbreviated in German to OKW), which was headed by Hitler, would retain overall control and authority over the German military.

Earlier, on the day Germany invaded Poland, Hitler designated Göring as his successor, a status underscored by a 1941 decree that empowered Göring to act as Hitler's deputy with full freedom of action in the event Hitler was incapacitated. Nevertheless, on 23 April 1945, when Göring suggested to Hitler that he assume leadership of the crumbling remains of Nazi Germany, Hitler relieved Göring of his duties and named a new successor in his last will and testament, Grand admiral Karl Dönitz. Dönitz's appointment was made on or before the day of Hitler's suicide.