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{{short description|Military rank}} {{short description|Military rank}}
{{distinguish|Marshal of the Realm (Denmark)|Marshal of the Realm (Sweden)}} {{distinguish|Marshal of the Realm (Denmark)|Marshal of the Realm (Sweden)}}
{{about|the military rank in Nazi Germany|the Reichserzmarschall in the Holy Roman Empire|Prince-elector#High_offices}} {{about|the military rank in Nazi Germany|the Reichserzmarschall in the Holy Roman Empire|Prince-elector#High offices}}
{{italic title}} {{italic title}}
{{refimprove|date=September 2021}} {{refimprove|date=September 2021}}
{{Expand German|Reichsmarschall|date=January 2019}} {{Expand German|topic=mil|Reichsmarschall|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox military rank {{Infobox military rank
| name = {{lang|de|Reichsmarschall}} | name = {{lang|de|Reichsmarschall}}
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| caption3 = Shoulder boards | caption3 = Shoulder boards
| country = {{flag|Nazi Germany}} | country = {{flag|Nazi Germany}}
| service branch = ]<br/>{{Luftwaffe}} | service branch = {{armed forces|Nazi Germany}}
| abbreviation = | abbreviation =
| rank group = | rank group =
| Equivalent = ]
| rank = ]
| pay grade = | pay grade =
| formation = 12th century {{small|(historical)}}<br>] | formation = 12th century {{small|(historical)}}<br>]
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| higher rank = | higher rank =
| lower rank = {{lang|de|]}}<br>{{lang|de|]}} | lower rank = {{lang|de|]}}<br>{{lang|de|]}}
| equivalents = ]{{cn|date=September 2022}} | equivalents =
| history = | history =
}} }}
⚫ '''{{lang|de|Reichsmarschall}}''' ({{langx|de|Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches}}; {{literally|] ] of the Greater German Reich}}) was a military rank that held the highest position in the office of the '']'' specially created for ] during ]. It was senior to the rank of '']'', which was previously the highest rank in the ''Wehrmacht''.{{sfn|Haskew|2011|p=46}} It was equivalent to ] in the United States, or '']'' in other countries.

⚫ '''{{lang|de|Reichsmarschall}}''' ({{lang-de|Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches}}; {{literally|] ] of the Greater German Reich}}) was a rank and the highest military office in the '']'' specially created for ] during ]. It was equivalent to a six star general and was senior to the five star rank of '']'', which was previously the highest rank in the Wehrmacht.{{sfn|Haskew|2011|p=46}}


==History== ==History==
Until 1940, the highest rank in the German military was {{lang|de|]}} ({{translation|general field marshal}}). At the beginning of ], the only active holder of that rank was Hermann Göring, ]. In ], after winning the ], ] 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{{efn|Göring also held many other prestigious titles, such as {{lang|de|Reichsjägermeister}} (Reich Master of the Hunt) and ].}}{{sfn|Haskew|2011|pp=25, 46, 119}} 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 newly created '']'' (OKW), the High Command of the German Armed Forces, which was headed by Hitler, would retain overall control and authority over the German military. Until 1940, the highest rank in the German military was ''Generalfeldmarschall'' ({{translation|]}}). At the beginning of World War II, the only active holder of that rank was Hermann Göring, ]. In ], after winning the ], ] 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{{efn|Göring also held many other prestigious titles, such as {{lang|de|Reichsjägermeister}} (Reich Master of the Hunt)<ref>{{cite book|title=Görings Reich: Der Reichsjägermeister in der Schorfheide|isbn= 9783788815134|oclc=809373538|author-last1=Knopf|author-first1=Volker|author-last2=Martens|author-first2=Stefan|date=2012|publisher=Neumann-Neudamm GmbH}}</ref> and ].}}{{sfn|Haskew|2011|pp=25, 46, 119}} 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 '']'' (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 ] 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 ] of the crumbling remains of Nazi Germany, Hitler relieved Göring of his duties and named a new successor in ], ] ]. Dönitz's appointment was made on or before the day of ].{{sfn|O'Donnell|1979|p=217}}
The rank of ''Reichsmarschall'' was equivalent to ] in the ], senior to that of a ], meaning it was a ]. Because of Görings influence in the Nazi Party's upbringings, Hitler saw him as more than a field marshal, which is why he created a new rank. Along with it being the highest rank in the ''Wehrmacht'', ''Reichsmarschall'' was also a political rank that gave Göring much more influence throughout the ] since he was the one and only person to hold the position. The duty of the ''Reichsmarschall'' expanded from the military to political affairs and management of the Reich as well. Many German citizens acknowledged Göring highly because of his prestigious title as "''Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reich''", meaning in English "Imperial Marshal of the Greater German Empire".

The chief function of the rank was to emphasize that Hermann Göring was Hitler's second-in-command as he was the chosen successor of the Greater Germanic Reich if anything was to happen to the '']''. The service branch in the ''Wehrmacht'' associated with ''Reichsmarschall'' was the '']'', but the army and air force both had similar ranks and insignia compared to that of the '']'' (navy). The highest rank in the navy was '']'' (Grand Admiral) and was equal to a 5 star rank, like ], meaning that there was no equivalent or higher rank in the ''Wehrmacht'' during the rule of ]. Similarly, Göring outranked even the commander-in-chief of the '']'', '']'' ]. In comparison to the military, Himmler was technically a five-star general, but was Görings rival for the successor of Hitler after the commencing of the ] invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. Whomever held the rank of ''Reichsmarschall'' was meant to be seen as second only to the Supreme Leader of Germany, Adolf Hitler. The rank also gave Göring the ability to design and form more stylish uniforms with different ranks and insignia that outclassed his previous junior rank of ''Generalfeldmarschall''. This demonstrated his unique rank and authority over all other ''Wehrmacht'' generals and fit his personality to be a flamboyant person, a senior member of the Nazi Party and in the Reich. The uniforms he wore were flashy, ranging from baby blue to his most worn grey '']'' uniform. He wore many medals as he was one of the most decorated soldiers in Germany and received high Nazi Party awards from Hitler. He had special ] and ''Luftwaffe Reichsmarschall'' collar tabs, different from his previous uniform and insignia. Göring also had a ] awarded to him after his promotion in the ceremony. It was encrusted with diamonds and made with gold and other highly valuable materials. It was estimated to have costed over $100,000 USD to make, and is worth millions now.

⚫ Göring was also designated as the Hitler's successor. Nevertheless, on 23 April 1945, when ] of the crumbling remains of Nazi Germany, Hitler relieved Göring of his duties and named a new successor in ], Grand Admiral ]. Dönitz's appointment was made on or before the day of ] (30 April 1945).{{sfn|O'Donnell|1979|p=217}}


==Standards== ==Standards==

<gallery class="center"> <gallery class="center">
File:Reichsmarschall Version 1 links.svg|Standard from 1940 to 1941 (left side) File:Reichsmarschall Version 1 links.svg|Standard from 1940 to 1941 (left side)
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</gallery> </gallery>


== Uniform == ==Uniform==
<gallery class="center"> <gallery class="center">
Mundur Goeringa.jpg|The original uniform shown in the ] in Berlin. Mundur Goeringa.jpg|Göring's uniform shown in the ] in Berlin
Goering reichsmarschall baton.jpg|The original ] shown in the ] Museum. Goering reichsmarschall baton.jpg|The original ] shown in the ]
</gallery> </gallery>


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==Bibliography== ==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last1=Haskew |first1=Michael |title=The Wehrmacht |publisher=Amber Books |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-907446-95-5 }} * {{cite book |last1=Haskew |first1=Michael |title=The Wehrmacht |publisher=Amber Books |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-907446-95-5 }}
*{{cite book |last1=O'Donnell |first1=James P. |title=The History of the Reich Chancellery Group |date=1979 |oclc=638799214 |publisher=J. M. Dent |location=London, UK }} * {{cite book |last1=O'Donnell |first1=James P. |title=The History of the Reich Chancellery Group |date=1979 |oclc=638799214 |publisher=J. M. Dent |location=London, UK }}

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|-
|width="30%" style="background:#cfcfcf;"|Junior rank<br/>'''{{lang|de|]}}'''<br />{{small|(Army and Luftwaffe)}}<br />'''{{lang|de|]}}'''<br />{{small|(Kriegsmarine)}}
|width="40%" style="background:#bfbfbf;"|]<br />{{small|]}}<br/>'''Reichsmarschall'''
|width="30%" style="background:#afafaf;"|Senior rank<br/>None
|}


{{Highest Military Ranks}} {{Highest Military Ranks}}

Latest revision as of 22:12, 4 December 2024

Military rank Not to be confused with Marshal of the Realm (Denmark) or Marshal of the Realm (Sweden). This article is about the military rank in Nazi Germany. For the Reichserzmarschall in the Holy Roman Empire, see Prince-elector § High offices.

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Reichsmarschall
Standard from 1941 to 1945 (left side)
Collar insignia
Shoulder boards
Country Nazi Germany
Service branch Wehrmacht
Formation12th century (historical)
19 July 1940
Abolished1945
Next lower rankGeneralfeldmarschall
Großadmiral

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. It was equivalent to General of the Armies in the United States, or Generalissimo in other countries.

History

Until 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 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.

Standards

  • Standard from 1940 to 1941 (left side) Standard from 1940 to 1941 (left side)
  • Standard from 1940 to 1941 (right side) Standard from 1940 to 1941 (right side)
  • Standard from 1941 to 1945 (left side) Standard from 1941 to 1945 (left side)
  • Standard from 1941 to 1945 (right side) Standard from 1941 to 1945 (right side)

Uniform

Notes

  1. Göring also held many other prestigious titles, such as Reichsjägermeister (Reich Master of the Hunt) and Commissioner Plenipotentiary of the Four Year Plan.

References

  1. Haskew 2011, p. 46.
  2. Knopf, Volker; Martens, Stefan (2012). Görings Reich: Der Reichsjägermeister in der Schorfheide. Neumann-Neudamm GmbH. ISBN 9783788815134. OCLC 809373538.
  3. Haskew 2011, pp. 25, 46, 119.
  4. O'Donnell 1979, p. 217.

Bibliography

  • 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.
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