Reichsmarschall

(german: Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches; ) was a rank and the highest military office in the '' Wehrmacht'' specially created for Hermann Göring during World War II. It was senior to the rank of , which was previously the highest rank in the Wehrmacht.

History

Until 1940, the highest rank in the German military was (). 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, 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 newly created '' 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

File:Reichsmarschall Version 1 links.svg, Standard from 1940 to 1941 (left side)
File:Reichsmarschall Version 1 rechts.svg, Standard from 1940 to 1941 (right side)
File:Reichsmarschall Version 2 links.svg, Standard from 1941 to 1945 (left side)
File:Reichsmarschall Version 2 rechts.svg, Standard from 1941 to 1945 (right side)

Uniform

Mundur Goeringa.jpg, The original uniform shown in the Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr in Berlin.
Goering reichsmarschall baton.jpg, The original baton shown in the West Point Museum.

Notes

References

Bibliography

*
*

{{Authority control

German words and phrases
Marshals of Germany
Military of Nazi Germany
Military ranks of Germany