Marshal of the German Democratic Republic

Highest military rank in East Germany (1982–89) Marshal of the German Democratic RepublicMarschall der Deutschen Demokratischen RepublikTechnician suit insigniaShoulder boardCountry German Democratic RepublicService branch Land ForcesAbbreviationMarschall der DDRFormation25 March 1982AbolishedNovember 1989Next lower rankArmy General 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. History The rank of Marschall der DDR was established on 25 March 1982 by decree of the Staatsrat der DDR (State Council of the GDR), but never bestowed. The Staatsrat could promote a general to this rank for exceptional military achievement. The rank was an imitation of the supreme Soviet rank, that of Marshal of the Soviet Union. Some believe that this rank would only have been granted in wartime and was created as a result of changes in Warsaw Pact military planning. During wartime, a Marschall der DDR was to command an operational army group that included all East German forces including Police and Stasi tr