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Reichsmarschall (German: Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches; lit. 'Reich Marshal of the Greater German Reich') was a military rank that held the highest position in the office of the Wehrmacht specially created for Hermann Göring during World War II. It was senior to the rank of Generalfeldmarschall, which was previously the highest rank in the Wehrmacht.[1] It was equivalent to General of the Armies in the United States, or Generalissimo in other countries.
| Reichsmarschall | |
|---|---|
 Standard from 1941 to 1945 (left side) | |
 Collar insignia | |
 Shoulder boards | |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Service branch |  Wehrmacht |
| Formation | 12th century (historical) 19 July 1940 |
| Abolished | 1945 |
| Next lower rank | Generalfeldmarschall Großadmiral |
History
editUntil 1940, the highest rank in the German military was Generalfeldmarschall (transl. field marshal). At the beginning of World War II, the only active holder of that rank was Hermann Göring, Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe. In a ceremony on 19 July 1940, after winning the Battle of France, Adolf Hitler promoted twelve generals to the rank of Generalfeldmarschall. During the same ceremony, Göring was promoted to the newly created rank of Reichsmarschall to placate his thirst for prestige[a][3] and to highlight his position as senior to the other Wehrmacht commanders, without giving him any actual authority over them. This was done in order to ensure that the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the High Command of the German Armed Forces, 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.[4]
Standards
edit-
Standard from 1940 to 1941 (left side) -
Standard from 1940 to 1941 (right side) -
Standard from 1941 to 1945 (left side) -
Standard from 1941 to 1945 (right side)
Uniform
edit-
Göring's uniform shown in the Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr in Berlin -
The original baton shown in the West Point Museum
Notes
edit- ^ Göring also held many other prestigious titles, such as Reichsjägermeister (Reich Master of the Hunt)[2] and Commissioner Plenipotentiary of the Four Year Plan.
References
edit- ^ Haskew 2011, p. 46.
- ^ Knopf, Volker; Martens, Stefan (2012). Görings Reich: Der Reichsjägermeister in der Schorfheide. Neumann-Neudamm GmbH. ISBN 9783788815134. OCLC 809373538.
- ^ Haskew 2011, pp. 25, 46, 119.
- ^ O'Donnell 1979, p. 217.
Bibliography
edit- Haskew, Michael (2011). The Wehrmacht. Amber Books. ISBN 978-1-907446-95-5.
- O'Donnell, James P. (1979). The History of the Reich Chancellery Group. London, UK: J. M. Dent. OCLC 638799214.
| Junior rank Generalfeldmarschall (Army and Luftwaffe) Großadmiral (Kriegsmarine) |
 (Ranks Wehrmacht) Reichsmarschall |
Senior rank None |