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A ("
colonel general Colonel general is a three- or four-star military rank used in some armies. It is particularly associated with Germany, where historically general officer ranks were one grade lower than in the Commonwealth and the United States, and was a ra ...
") was the second-highest
general officer A general officer is an officer of high rank in the armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry. In some usages the term "general officer" refers to a rank above colonel."general, adj. and n.". OED O ...
rank in the German '' Reichswehr'' and '' Wehrmacht'', the
Austro-Hungarian Austria-Hungary, often referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire,, the Dual Monarchy, or Austria, was a constitutional monarchy and great power in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. It was formed with the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of ...
Common Army, the East German National People's Army and in their respective police services. The rank was equal to a four-star full general but below a general field marshal. The rank was equivalent to a '' Generaladmiral'' in the ''
Kriegsmarine The (, ) was the navy of Germany from 1935 to 1945. It superseded the Imperial German Navy of the German Empire (1871–1918) and the inter-war (1919–1935) of the Weimar Republic. The was one of three official branches, along with the a ...
'' until 1945 or to a '' Flottenadmiral'' in the '' Volksmarine'' until 1990. It was the highest ordinary military rank and the highest military rank awarded in peacetime; the higher rank of general field marshal was awarded only in wartime by the head of state. In general, a ''Generaloberst'' had the same privileges as a general field marshal. A literal translation of ''Generaloberst'' would be "uppermost general", but it is often translated as "colonel-general" by analogy to ''Oberst'', "colonel", such as in countries in which the rank was adopted like Russia (, ''general-polkovnik''). "Oberst" derives from the superlative form of Germanic ''ober'' (''upper''),
cognate In historical linguistics, cognates or lexical cognates are sets of words in different languages that have been inherited in direct descent from an etymology, etymological ancestor in a proto-language, common parent language. Because language c ...
to English ''over'' and so "superior general" might be a more idiomatic rendering. The rank was created in 1854, originally for
Emperor William I William I or Wilhelm I (german: Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig; 22 March 1797 – 9 March 1888) was King of Prussia from 2 January 1861 and German Emperor from 18 January 1871 until his death in 1888. A member of the House of Hohenzollern, he was the f ...
, the
Prince of Prussia The House of Hohenzollern (, also , german: Haus Hohenzollern, , ro, Casa de Hohenzollern) is a German royal (and from 1871 to 1918, imperial) dynasty whose members were variously princes, electors, kings and emperors of Hohenzollern, Brandenb ...
, because members of the royal family were traditionally not promoted to the rank of field marshal and it was limited to wartime. In the 19th century, the rank was largely honorary and usually held only by members of the princely families or the
Governor of Berlin A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political r ...
. The regular promotion of professional officers to the grade did not begin until 1911. Since the rank of '' Generalfeldmarschall'' was reserved for wartime promotions, the additional distinction of a "Colonel general with the rank of field marshal" () was created. Such generals were entitled to wear three pips and a marshal's crossed batons on their shoulder boards, compared to the three pips of a Colonel General; however, this was changed to four pips in 1911. ''Generaloberst'' was the second-highest general officer rank, below
field marshal Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, ordinarily senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army and as such few persons are appointed to it. It is considered as ...
, in the
Prussian Army The Royal Prussian Army (1701–1919, german: Königlich Preußische Armee) served as the army of the Kingdom of Prussia. It became vital to the development of Brandenburg-Prussia as a European power. The Prussian Army had its roots in the co ...
as well as in the
German Empire The German Empire (),Herbert Tuttle wrote in September 1881 that the term "Reich" does not literally connote an empire as has been commonly assumed by English-speaking people. The term literally denotes an empire – particularly a hereditary ...
(1871–1918), the Weimar Republic (1921–1933), the ''Wehrmacht'' (which included the '' Luftwaffe'', established in 1935) of Nazi Germany (1933–45) and the East German '' Nationale Volksarmee'' (1949–1991). As military ranks were often used for other uniformed services, the rank was also used by the Waffen-SS and the '' Ordnungspolizei'' of Nazi Germany and the '' Volkspolizei'' and ''
Stasi The Ministry for State Security, commonly known as the (),An abbreviation of . was the Intelligence agency, state security service of the East Germany from 1950 to 1990. The Stasi's function was similar to the KGB, serving as a means of maint ...
'' of East Germany. In East Germany, the rank was junior to the general of the army (''Armeegeneral''), as well as to the briefly-extant and never-awarded rank of ''
Marschall der DDR Marshal of the German Democratic Republic (german: Marschall der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik), was the highest rank in the National People's Army of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). It was never held and was abolished in 1989. ...
''.


Austro-Hungarian Army

In 1915 the ''Generaloberst'' – ''Vezérezredes'' rank was introduced to the Austro-Hungarian Common Army. It was the second highest behind the '' Feldmarschall'' – ''Tábornagy'' rank. ;See also: # Erzherzog Joseph Ferdinand von Österreich-Toskana (1872–1942) # Friedrich Graf von Beck-Rzikowsky (1830–1920) # Eduard Graf Paar (1837–1919) #
Arthur Freiherr von Bolfras Arthur is a common male given name of Brittonic languages, Brythonic origin. Its popularity derives from it being the name of the legendary hero King Arthur. The etymology is disputed. It may derive from the Celtic ''Artos'' meaning “Bear”. An ...
(1838–1922) # Friedrich Freiherr von Georgi (1852–1926) #
Karl Freiherr von Pflanzer-Baltin Karl Freiherr von Pflanzer-Baltin (1 June 1855, Pécs, Hungary - 8 April 1925, Vienna) was an Austro-Hungarian general who was active in World War I. Biography Pflanzer-Baltin became General of Cavalry from October 1912 and he served on the gener ...
(1855–1925) # Viktor Graf Dankl von Krasnik (1854–1941) # Karl Tersztyánszky von Nádas (1854–1921) # Adolf Freiherr von Rhemen zu Barensfeld (1855–1932) #
Paul Freiherr Puhallo von Brlog Paul Freiherr Puhallo von Brlog (21 February 1856 - 12 October 1926) was a general of Austria-Hungary. During World War I, he commanded the Austro-Hungarian Army's 3rd and 1st Armies. Biography Early life Puhallo's family came from the vicinity ...
(1856–1926) # Erzherzog Leopold Salvator von Österreich-Toskana (1863–1931) #
Karl Graf von Kirchbach auf Lauterbach Karl Freiherr von Kirchbach auf Lauterbach (Gyöngyös, 20 May 1856 - Scharnstein, Upper Austria, 20 May 1939), from 1917 Count von Kirchbach auf Lauterbach, was a colonel general of the Austro-Hungarian Army. Biography Karl von Kirchbach auf L ...
(1856–1939) # Karl Georg Graf Huyn (1857–1938) # Hermann Kusmanek von Burgneustädten (1860–1934) #
Karl Křitek Karl Křitek (24 October 1861 – 3 September 1928) was an Austro-Hungarian Army general. He notably commanded several armies during World War I. Biography Karl Křitek was born on 28 October 1854 in Split, Croatia, Split as son of Johann Victor ...
(1861–1928) #
Wenzel Freiherr von Wurm Wenzel Freiherr von Wurm (Karlín (Prague), 27 February 1859 – Vienna, 21 March 1921) was a Colonel General in the Austro-Hungarian Army. Biography He was born on 27 February 1859 as son of an Oberleutnant in the Austro-Hungarian Army. He ent ...
(1859–1921) # Samuel Freiherr von Hazai (1851–1942) #
Leopold Freiherr von Hauer Leopold Freiherr von Hauer (born 26 January 1854 in Budapest, Hungary, died on 3 May 1933, in Budapest) was a Colonel General in the Austro-Hungarian Army. He participated in the First World War on the Russian front. At the outbreak of the War, h ...
(1854–1933) #
Viktor Graf von Scheuchenstuel Viktor Graf von Scheuchenstuel (May 10, 1857 – April 17, 1938) was a colonel general in the Austro-Hungarian Army. He was a general staff officer and division commander until World War I broke out. During World War I he was a Corps and Arm ...
(1857–1938) # Stephan Freiherr Sarkotić von Lovčen (1858–1939) # Josef Freiherr Roth von Limanowa-Łapanów (1859–1927) # Arthur Freiherr Arz von Straußenburg (1857–1935) # Hugo Martiny von Malastów (1860–1940) # Rudolf Freiherr Stöger-Steiner von Steinstätten (1861–1921) # Alois Fürst Schönburg-Hartenstein (1858–1944)


German Empire

Rank insignia of the
German Empire The German Empire (),Herbert Tuttle wrote in September 1881 that the term "Reich" does not literally connote an empire as has been commonly assumed by English-speaking people. The term literally denotes an empire – particularly a hereditary ...
1871 until 1918, here shoulder strap of the
German Imperial Army The Imperial German Army (1871–1919), officially referred to as the German Army (german: Deutsches Heer), was the unified ground and air force of the German Empire. It was established in 1871 with the political unification of Germany under the l ...
: twisted of silver- and golden-braids with three stars to "Colonel general" (equivalent to four-star rank, today: OF-9).


Bavarian Army

* December 27, 1911 – Carl von Horn (1847–1923), Minister of War * August 1, 1914 – Otto Kreß von Kressenstein (1850–1929), Minister of War * April 9, 1918 – Felix von Bothmer (1852–1937), commander-in chief in WW I


Prussian Army The Royal Prussian Army (1701–1919, german: Königlich Preußische Armee) served as the army of the Kingdom of Prussia. It became vital to the development of Brandenburg-Prussia as a European power. The Prussian Army had its roots in the co ...

* March 20, 1854 – Wilhelm of Preußen (1797–1888), with the special rank of '' Generalfeldmarschall'' * June 16, 1871 – Albrecht of Preußen (1809–1872), with the special rank of ''Generalfeldmarschall'' * September 2, 1873 – August Prinz von Württemberg (1813–1885), Commander and Governor of Berlin * June 25, 1888 – Frederick I, Grand Duke of Baden (1826–1907), with the special rank of ''Generalfeldmarschall'', Inspector of the Army * September 19, 1888 – Alexander August Wilhelm von Pape (1813–1895), with the special rank of ''Generalfeldmarschall'', Commander in den Marken and Governor of Berlin * December 21, 1889 – Charles Alexander, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1818–1901) * March 20, 1890 –
Otto von Bismarck Otto, Prince of Bismarck, Count of Bismarck-Schönhausen, Duke of Lauenburg (, ; 1 April 1815 – 30 July 1898), born Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck, was a conservative German statesman and diplomat. From his origins in the upper class of J ...
(1815–1898), with the special rank of ''Generalfeldmarschall à la suite of the Army'', 1st Chancellor of Germany * October 18, 1901 – Leopold, Prince of Hohenzollern (1835–1905) * March 22, 1902 – Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg (1817–1905) * September 15, 1905 –
Bernhard III, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen Bernhard III, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen (1 April 1851 – 16 January 1928), was the last reigning duke of Saxe-Meiningen. Biography Bernhard was born on 1 April 1851 at Meiningen in what was then the German Confederation, as the eldest son of Georg ...
(1851–1928), with the special rank of ''Generalfeldmarschall'', Inspector of the Army * September 15, 1905 – Frederick II, Grand Duke of Baden (1857–1928), with the special rank of ''Generalfeldmarschall'', Inspector of the Army * September 13, 1906 – Ernst Rudolf Max Edler von der Planitz (1836–1910), Inspector General of the Cavalry * September 28, 1907 – Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg (1826–1908), with the special rank of ''Generalfeldmarschall of the Prussian Army'' Kurt von Priesdorff. ''
Soldatisches Führertum ''Soldatisches Führertum'' (''Soldiers' Leadership'') was a ten-volume reference work in German, containing short biographies of generals in the Prussian Army by Kurt von Priesdorff. Due to the loss of the Prussian Army Archives in World War II, ...
.'' Vol. 6, Hamburg: Hanseatische Verlagsanstalt, n. d., p. 417.
* September 18, 1908 –
Hans von Plessen Hans Georg Hermann von Plessen (26 November 1841 – 28 January 1929) was a Prussian Colonel General with the rank of Generalfeldmarschall and Canon of Brandenburg. He held the office of His Majesty's Orderly Adjutant General (german: SM diensttue ...
(1841–1929), with the special rank of ''Generalfeldmarschall'', Adjutant General of the
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 ...
and Commander of the ''Großes Hauptquartier'' ("Great Headquarters") * 4. September 4, 1909 –
Prince Henry of Prussia Prince Henry of Prussia can refer to: *Prince Henry of Prussia (1726–1802) *Prince Henry of Prussia (1747–1767) *Prince Henry of Prussia (1781–1846) *Prince Henry of Prussia (1862–1929) *Prince Henry of Prussia (1900–1904) Prince Henry ...
(1862–1929), with the special rank of ''Generalfeldmarschall'', Großadmiral, Inspector general of the Navy, à la suite of the Prussian Army * September 10, 1910 – Prince Friedrich Leopold of Prussia (1865–1931), à la suite * January 22, 1911 – Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein (1831–1917), à la suite * January 27, 1911 – Gustav von Kessel (1846–1918), ''Adjutant General of the Kaiser'', Commander in the Marken, and Governor of Berlin * September 13, 1912 –
Karl von Bülow Karl Wilhelm Paul von Bülow (24 March 1846 – 31 August 1921) was a German field marshal commanding the German 2nd Army during World War I from 1914 to 1915. Biography Born in Berlin to the distinguished Prussian military family von Bülow, ...
(1846-1921), Army Commander, promoted to Generalfeldmarschal in 1915 * January 1, 1913 –
Hermann von Eichhorn (13 February 1848 – 30 July 1918) was a Prussian officer, later during World War I. He was a recipient of with Oak Leaves, one of the highest orders of merit in the Kingdom of Prussia and, subsequently, Imperial Germany. Biography was born ...
(1948-1918) Army Group Commander, promoted to Generalfeldmarschal in 1917 * June 16, 1913 –
Maximilian von Prittwitz Maximilian “Max” Wilhelm Gustav Moritz von Prittwitz und Gaffron (27 November 1848 – 29 March 1917) was an Imperial German general. He fought in the Austro-Prussian War, the Franco-Prussian War, and briefly in the First World War. Fami ...
(1848–1917), Army Commander * June 16, 1913 –
Friedrich von Scholl Friedrich may refer to: Names *Friedrich (surname), people with the surname ''Friedrich'' *Friedrich (given name), people with the given name ''Friedrich'' Other *Friedrich (board game), a board game about Frederick the Great and the Seven Years' ...
(1846–1928), ''Adjutant General of the Kaiser'' * January 27, 1914 –
Josias von Heeringen Josias von Heeringen (9 March 1850 – 9 October 1926) was a German general of the imperial era who served as Prussian Minister of War and saw service in the First World War. Early life Heeringen was born in Kassel in the Electorate of Hesse. ...
(1850–1926), Army Commander * January 27, 1914 – Helmuth von Moltke the Younger (1848–1916), Chief of the 1st Oberste Heeresleitung * January 27, 1914 – Alexander von Kluck (1846–1934), Army Commander * December 3, 1914 – August von Mackensen (1849-1945), Army Commander, promoted to Generalfeldmarschal in 1915 * December 3, 1914 –
Remus von Woyrsch Martin Wilhelm Remus von Woyrsch (4 February 1847 – 6 August 1920) was a Prussian field marshal, a member of the Prussian House of Lords from 1908 to 1918, and an ''Ehrenkommendator'' or Honorary Commander of the Order of St. John. Family ...
(1947-1920), Army Group Commander, promoted to Generalfeldmarschal in 1917 * December 24, 1914 – Moritz von Bissing (1844–1917), Governor general of Belgium * December 24, 1914 – Ludwig von Falkenhausen (1844–1936), Army Commander * January 27, 1915 – Karl von Einem (1853–1934), Army Commander * February 20, 1916 –
Alexander von Linsingen Alexander Adolf August Karl von Linsingen (10 February 1850 – 5 June 1935) was a German general during World War I. Military service Linsingen joined the Prussian Army in 1868 and rose to Corps Commander ( II Corps) in 1909. He was one of the ...
(1850–1935), Army Commander * January 27, 1917 – Günther Graf von Kirchbach (1850–1925), Commander of Heeresgruppe Kiew * January 27, 1917 – Richard von Schubert (1850–1933), Army Commander * January 27, 1918 – Hans von Beseler (1850–1921), Army Commander * March 22, 1918 – Max von Boehn (1850–1921), Army Group Commander * April 10, 1918 – Moriz Freiherr von Lyncker (1853–1932), Chief of the Military Cabinet


Royal Saxon Army

* December 21, 1889 – Carl Alexander Großherzog of Sachsen (1818–1901) * September 15, 1905 – Bernhard Erbprinz of Sachsen-Meiningen (1851–1928) * September 28, 1907 – Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Altenburg (1826–1908) * September 4, 1909 – Prince Henry of Prussia (1862–1929) * December 17, 1910 – Max Freiherr of Hausen (1846–1922), Minister-President, Army Commander * January 23, 1918 – Karl Ludwig d'Elsa (1849–1922), Army Commander * January 23, 1918 –
Hans von Kirchbach Rudolph Bodo Hans von Kirchbach (born 22 June 1849 in Auerbach (Vogtland) – died 23 July 1928 in Dresden) was a Royal Saxon army officer who was a Generaloberst in the First World War and awarded the Pour le Mérite. Life and military career He ...
(1849–1928), Army Commander


Army of Württemberg

* February 25, 1913 – Philipp Herzog von Württemberg (1838–1917), ''à la suite of the Army of Württemberg'' * September 24, 1913 – Albrecht Herzog von Württemberg (1865–1939), later also Prussian ''Generalfeldmarschall'' * February 25, 1918 –
Otto von Marchtaler Otto Erhard von Marchtaler was a German general who served in the Army of Württemberg and participated in the Franco-Prussian War and World War I. He was the Minister of War of the Kingdom of Württemberg from 1906 to 1918. Life Marchtaler wa ...
(1854–1920), Minister of War


Weimar Republic


Reichswehr

* January 1, 1926 – Hans von Seeckt (1866–1936), ''Chief of the Heeresleitung'' * January 1, 1930 – Wilhelm Heye (1869–1947), ''Chief of the Heeresleitung'' * 1934 –
Kurt Freiherr von Hammerstein-Equord Kurt Gebhard Adolf Philipp Freiherr von Hammerstein-Equord (26 September 1878 – 24 April 1943) was a German general (''Generaloberst'') who was the Commander-in-Chief of the Reichswehr, the Weimar Republic's armed forces. He is regarded as "an ...
(1878–1943), ''Chief der Heeresleitung''


Nazi Germany


Wehrmacht

The equivalent ranks of a colonel general were in the: * ''
Kriegsmarine The (, ) was the navy of Germany from 1935 to 1945. It superseded the Imperial German Navy of the German Empire (1871–1918) and the inter-war (1919–1935) of the Weimar Republic. The was one of three official branches, along with the a ...
'' – '' Generaladmiral'' * '' Waffen-SS'' – '' SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer und Generaloberst der Waffen-SS'' * '' Schutzstaffel'' (SS) – '' Oberst-Gruppenführer'' * ''
Sturmabteilung The (; SA; literally "Storm Detachment") was the original paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party. It played a significant role in Adolf Hitler's rise to power in the 1920s and 1930s. Its primary purposes were providing protection for Nazi ral ...
'' (SA) – No equivalent * '' Ordnungspolizei'' (Orpo) – ''Generaloberst der Polizei'' ("Colonel general of police")


Heer

# April 20, 1936 – Werner von Fritsch (1880–1939) # November 1, 1938 – Ludwig Beck (1880–1944) # December 31, 1938 –
Wilhelm Adam Wilhelm Adam (28 March 1893 – 24 November 1978) was an officer in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II. Following the German surrender after the Battle of Stalingrad, he became a member of the National Committee for a Free German ...
(1877–1949) # October 1, 1939 –
Johannes Blaskowitz Johannes Albrecht Blaskowitz (10 July 1883 – 5 February 1948) was a German ''Generaloberst'' during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. After joining the Imperial German Army in 1 ...
(1883–1948) # July 19, 1940 – Friedrich Dollmann (1882–1944) # July 19, 1940 – Heinz Guderian (1888–1954) # July 19, 1940 –
Franz Halder Franz Halder (30 June 1884 – 2 April 1972) was a German general and the chief of staff of the Oberkommando des Heeres, Army High Command (OKH) in Nazi Germany from 1938 until September 1942. During World War II, he directed the planning and i ...
(1884–1972) # July 19, 1940 – Hermann Hoth (1885–1971) # July 19, 1940 – Adolf Strauß (1879–1973) # July 19, 1940 – Nikolaus von Falkenhorst (1885–1968) # July 19, 1940 – Friedrich Fromm (1888–1945) # July 19, 1940 – Curt Haase (1881–1943) # July 19, 1940 –
Erich Hoepner Erich Kurt Richard Hoepner (14 September 1886 – 8 August 1944) was a German general during World War II. An early proponent of mechanisation and armoured warfare, he was a Wehrmacht army corps commander at the beginning of the war, leading hi ...
(1886–1944) # July 19, 1940 –
Eugen Ritter von Schobert Eugen Siegfried Erich Ritter von Schobert (13 March 1883 – 12 September 1941) was a German general during World War II. He commanded the 11th Army during Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. Schobert died when his observatio ...
(1883–1941) # January 1, 1942 – Georg-Hans Reinhardt (1887–1963) # January 1, 1942 –
Rudolf Schmidt Rudolf Schmidt (12 May 1886 – 7 April 1957) was a general in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II who commanded the 2nd Panzer Army on the Eastern Front. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leav ...
(1886–1957) # April 1, 1942 – Richard Ruoff (1883–1967) # June 1, 1942 – Eduard Dietl (1890–1944) # July 3, 1942 –
Georg Lindemann Georg Lindemann (8 March 1884 – 25 September 1963) was a German general during World War II. He commanded the 18th Army (Wehrmacht), 18th Army during the Soviet Kingisepp–Gdov Offensive. World War II In 1936, Lindemann was promoted to Genera ...
(1884–1963) # December 3, 1942 – Hans-Jürgen von Arnim (1889–1962) # January 1, 1943 –
Gotthard Heinrici Gotthard Fedor August Heinrici (25 December 1886 – 10 December 1971) was a German general during World War II. Heinrici is considered as the premier defensive expert of the ''Wehrmacht''. His final command was Army Group Vistula, formed from t ...
(1886–1971) # January 1, 1943 – Hans von Salmuth (1888–1962) # Januar 30, 1943 – Walter Heitz (1878–1944) # July 6, 1943 – Eberhard von Mackensen (1889–1969) # September 1, 1943 – Heinrich Gottfried von Vietinghoff-Scheel (1887–1952) # September 1, 1943 –
Karl-Adolf Hollidt Karl-Adolf Hollidt (25 April 1891 – 22 May 1985) was a German army commander and war criminal during World War II. He was a general (''Generaloberst'') in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany who commanded the 6th Army. Career Hollidt enlisted in th ...
(1891–1985) # February 1, 1944 –
Alfred Jodl Alfred Josef Ferdinand Jodl (; 10 May 1890 – 16 October 1946) was a German ''Generaloberst'' who served as the chief of the Operations Staff of the '' Oberkommando der Wehrmacht'' – the German Armed Forces High Command – throughout World ...
(1890–1946) # February 1, 1944 –
Erwin Jaenecke __NOTOC__ Erwin Jaenecke (22 April 1890 – 3 July 1960), was a general in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II who commanded the 17th Army. Jaenecke served on the Eastern Front as commander of the 389th Infantry Division and late ...
(1890–1960) # February 1, 1944 – Walter Weiß (1890–1967) # February 1, 1944 –
Kurt Zeitzler Kurt Zeitzler (9 June 1895 – 25 September 1963) was a Chief of the Army General Staff in the ''Wehrmacht'' of Nazi Germany during World War II. Zeitzler was almost exclusively a staff officer, serving as chief of staff in a corps, army, and a ...
(1895–1963) # April 1, 1944 – Josef Harpe (1887–1968) # April 1, 1944 –
Lothar Rendulic Lothar Rendulic ( hr, Rendulić; 23 October 1887 – 17 January 1971)Rudolf Neck, Adam Wandruszka, Isabella Ackerl (ed.) (1980): ''Protokolle des Ministerrates der Ersten Republik, 1918–1938, Abteilung VIII, 20. Mai 1932 bis 25. Juli 1934''. ...
(1887–1971) # April 20, 1944 – Hans-Valentin Hube (1890–1944) # July 23, 1944 –
Johannes Frießner __NOTOC__ Johannes Friessner (22 March 1892 – 26 June 1971) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Biography Born in Chemnitz, Saxony, Friessner e ...
(1892–1971) # August 15, 1944 –
Erhard Raus Erhard Raus (8 January 1889 – 3 April 1956) was a general in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II. He commanded the 6th Panzer Division during the early years of the war on the Eastern Front before taking army and army group comm ...
(1889–1956) # May 1, 1945 – Carl Hilpert (1888–1947)


Luftwaffe

# July 19, 1940 – Alfred Keller (1882–1974) # July 19, 1940 – Hans-Jürgen Stumpff (1889–1968) # July 19, 1940 –
Ernst Udet Ernst Udet (26 April 1896 – 17 November 1941) was a German pilot during World War I and a ''Luftwaffe'' Colonel-General (''Generaloberst'') during World War II. Udet joined the Imperial German Air Service at the age of 19, and eventually ...
(1896–1941) # July 19, 1940 –
Ulrich Grauert __NOTOC__ Ulrich Grauert (6 March 1889 – 15 May 1941) was a general in the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany during World War II who commanded 1st Air Corps. He was killed on 15 May 1941 when his Junkers Ju 52 aircraft was shot down by F/Lt Jerzy Jank ...
(1889–1941) # July 19, 1940 –
Hubert Weise __NOTOC__ Hubert Weise (22 December 1884 – 14 February 1950) was a German general (Generaloberst) in the Luftwaffe during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. Weise surrendered to the Allied ...
(1884–1950) # May 3, 1941 – Alexander Löhr (1885–1947) # April 1, 1942 – Hans Jeschonnek (1899–1943) # November 1, 1942 – Günther Rüdel (1883–1950) # February 16, 1943 – Bruno Loerzer (1891–1960) # Jun 11, 1943 –
Otto Deßloch Otto Dessloch (11 June 1889 – 13 May 1977) was a German Luftwaffe general during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany. Career Dessloch was born in Bamberg, he joined the Bavarian A ...
(1889–1977) # July 13, 1944 – Kurt Student (1890–1978) # July 22, 1944 (posthum) – Günther Korten (1898–1944)


Waffen-SS

'' SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer'' and ''Generaloberst'' of the '' Waffen-SS'': * 1942 – Sepp Dietrich (1892–1966) * 1944 – Paul Hausser (1880–1972)


German Police

''SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer'' and ''Generaloberst'' of the Police: * 1942 – Kurt Daluege (1897–1946)


German Democratic Republic (East Germany)


National People's Army

In the Land Forces and Air Forces of the National People's Army, as well as the Border Troops of the German Democratic Republic ''Generaloberst'' was in line to Soviet military doctrine third general officer rank in that particular general's rank group. Pertaining to the NATO-Rangcode it might have been comparable to the three-star rank (OF-8). The equivalent to the ''Generaloberst'' was ''
Admiral Admiral is one of the highest ranks in some navies. In the Commonwealth nations and the United States, a "full" admiral is equivalent to a "full" general in the army or the air force, and is above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet, ...
'' of the '' Volksmarine ''. ;See also: * Ranks of the National People's Army # March 1, 1966 Kurt Wagner (1904–1989) # March 1, 1972
Herbert Scheibe Herbert Scheibe (born Hohenmölsen 28 November 1914: died Berlin 7 February 1991) was an East German Generaloberst and, between 1967 and 1972, Commanding general of the country's Airforce. Life Early years Scheibe was born in a sleepy market t ...
(1914–1991) # March 1, 1976
Horst Stechbarth Horst Stechbarth (13 April 1925 – 8 June 2016) was an East German politician and high-ranking military officer in the National People's Army (''Nationale Volksarmee''), holding the rank of ''Generaloberst'' (Colonel General). He was the Chief ...
(1925–2016) # October 7, 1977 Werner Fleißner (1922–1985) # July 14, 1979
Erich Peter Erich Peter (1919–1987) was a German general in the National People's Army. He commanded the GDR Border Troops of East Germany, also holding the position of the Deputy Minister of National Defense. Career Erich Peter was born in 1919 into ...
(1919–1987) # October 7, 1979
Wolfgang Reinhold Wolfgang Reinhold (16 April 1923 - 2 September 2012) was a German Colonel General. He was a Deputy Minister of Defence and, between 1972 and 1989, head of the Kommando LSK/LV (Airforce branch) of the National People's Army in the German Democr ...
(1923–2012) # October 7, 1979
Fritz Streletz Fritz Streletz (born 28 September 1926) is a German former army general of the GDR. In 1944 he entered the ''Wehrmacht'' as a noncommissioned officer after graduating from military school in Deggendorf. He was captured by Soviet forces in Febr ...
(born 1926) # March 1, 1986
Joachim Goldbach Joachim (; ''Yəhōyāqīm'', "he whom Yahweh has set up"; ; ) was, according to Christian tradition, the husband of Saint Anne and the father of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The story of Joachim and Anne first appears in the Biblical apocryphal ...
(1929–2008) # March 1, 1987
Horst Brünner Horst Brünner (1929–2008) was deputy Defense Minister in the East Germany, East German Council of Ministers of the GDR, Council of Ministers and chief of the Central Political Administration of the National People's Army. Life The son o ...
(1929–2008) # October 7, 1988 Klaus-Dieter Baumgarten (1931–2008) # October 7, 1989 Fritz Peter (born 1927)


Ministry of State Security

# February 1980
Bruno Beater Bruno Beater (5 February 19149 April 1982) was an East German intelligence officer and politician. He served as First Deputy Minister of State Security in the administrations of Walter Ulbricht and Erich Honecker. Biography Born into a working f ...
(1914–1982) # May 1986
Markus Wolf Markus Johannes Wolf (19 January 1923 – 9 November 2006), also known as Mischa, was head of the Main Directorate for Reconnaissance (), the foreign intelligence division of East Germany's Ministry for State Security (, abbreviated MfS, commonl ...
(1923–2006) # February 1987 Rudi Mittig (1925–1994) # 1989 Werner Großmann (1929-2022)


Deutsche Volkspolizei (DVP)

# 1962 Karl Maron (1903–1975) # 1987
Karl-Heinz Wagner Karl-Heinz is a German given name, composed of Karl and Heinz but with a hyphen dash. Notable people with that name include: * Hilarios Karl-Heinz Ungerer, German Bishop * Karl-Heinz Feldkamp (born 1934), football coach and former player * Karl-He ...
(1928–2011)


See also

*
Colonel general Colonel general is a three- or four-star military rank used in some armies. It is particularly associated with Germany, where historically general officer ranks were one grade lower than in the Commonwealth and the United States, and was a ra ...
*
List of German colonel generals The following is an incomplete list of German colonel generals. Generals later promoted to List of German field marshals, general field marshal (GFM) are not included. German Empire German Army (German Empire), German Army See also: ⇒ :de:G ...
* Comparative military ranks of World War I * Comparative military ranks of World War II * Ranks of the National People's Army


References

{{Authority control 1854 establishments in Prussia Military of East Germany Military ranks of Germany
German generals German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...
Generals Gen Four-star officers of Nazi Germany William I, German Emperor