(german: Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches; ) was a rank and the highest military office in the ''
Wehrmacht
The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the ''Heer'' (army), the '' Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmacht''" replaced the previo ...
'' specially created for
Hermann Göring
Hermann Wilhelm Göring (or Goering; ; 12 January 1893 – 15 October 1946) was a German politician, military leader and convicted war criminal. He was one of the most powerful figures in the Nazi Party, which ruled Germany from 1933 to 1 ...
during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
. 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
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
, 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
Adolf Hitler (; 20 April 188930 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was dictator of Nazi Germany, Germany from 1933 until Death of Adolf Hitler, his death in 1945. Adolf Hitler's rise to power, He rose to power as the le ...
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
The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known Metonymy, metonymically as West Point or simply as Army, is a United States service academies, United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a f ...
Museum.
Notes
References
Bibliography
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{{Authority control
German words and phrases
Marshals of Germany
Military of Nazi Germany
Military ranks of Germany