"Kommandogewalt" is a German phrase meaning 'right of command'. Traditionally it is used to refer to the broad category prerogatives to command the

armed forces A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distinct ...

and control their peacetime strength and disposition wielded by the German

Kaiser ''Kaiser'' is the German word for "emperor" (female Kaiserin). In general, the German title in principle applies to rulers anywhere in the world above the rank of king (''König''). In English, the (untranslated) word ''Kaiser'' is mainly ap ...

from 1871–1918. This power, belonging solely to the Emperor, was acknowledged in Article 63 of the German Constitution of 1871. On the morning of 25 October 1918,

Kaiser Wilhelm II Wilhelm II (Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert; 27 January 18594 June 1941) was the last German Emperor (german: Kaiser) and List of monarchs of Prussia, King of Prussia, reigning from 15 June 1888 until Abdication of Wilhelm II, his abdication on 9 ...

signed draft legislation that limited his Kommandogewalt, making it then subject to the

Chancellor Chancellor ( la, cancellarius) is a title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the of Roman courts of justice—ushers, who sat at the or lattice work screens of a basilica or law cou ...

References

Military of the German Empire {{Germany-mil-stub