Reichsmarschall

Military rank ReichsmarschallStandard from 1941 to 1945 (left side)Collar insigniaShoulder boardsCountry Nazi GermanyService branch WehrmachtFormation12th century (historical)19 July 1940Abolished1945Next lower rankGeneralfeldmarschallGroßadmiral Reichsmarschall (German: Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches; lit. 'Reich Marshal of the Greater German Reich') was an honorary military rank, specially created for Hermann Göring during World War II, and the de jure highest rank in the Wehrmacht. It was senior to the rank of Generalfeldmarschall (lit. 'general field marshal', equivalent to field marshal, which was previously the highest rank in the Wehrmacht), but was merely a ceremonial appointment to accentuate Göring's position as Hitler's designated successor. No actual subordination of the other field marshals or a superior position of the holder followed from it. [citation needed] It was equivalent to General of the Armies in the United States, or Generalissimo in other countries. History Until July 1940, the highest rank in the German military was Generalfeldmarschall. At the beginning of World War II, the only active holder of that rank was Hermann Göring, Commander-in-