Reichsmarschall

Not to be confused with Marshal of the Realm (Denmark) or Marshal of the Realm (Sweden).

This article is about the military rank in Nazi Germany. For the Reichserzmarschall in the Holy Roman Empire, see Prince-elector § High_offices.

Reichsmarschall
Standard from 1941 to 1945 (left side)
Collar insignia
Shoulder boards
Country	Nazi Germany
Service branch	Prussian Army Reichsheer Template:Luftwaffe
Rank	Reichsmarschall
NATO rank code	OF-11
Non-NATO rank	Six-star rank
Formation	12th century (historical) 19 July 1940
Abolished	1945
Next lower rank	Generalfeldmarschall Großadmiral
Equivalent ranks	Oberster Führer der Schutzstaffel

Reichsmarschall (German: Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches; lit. 'Reich Marshal of the Greater German Reich') was a specially created rank and the highest military office in the Wehrmacht during World War II. It was equivalent to a six star general and was senior to the five star rank of Generalfeldmarschall, which was previously the highest rank in the Wehrmacht.

History

Until 1940, the highest rank in the German military was Generalfeldmarschall (transl. general field marshal). At the beginning of World War II, the only active holder of that rank was Hermann Göring, Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe. 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.

The rank of Reichsmarschall was equivalent to General of the Armies in the United States Army, senior to that of a five-star general, meaning it was a six-star rank. Because of Görings influence in the Nazi Party's upbringings, Hitler saw him as more than a field marshal, which is why he created a new rank. Along with it being the highest rank in the Wehrmacht, Reichsmarschall was also a political rank that gave Göring much more influence throughout the Greater Germanic Reich since he was the one and only person to hold the position. The duty of the Reichsmarschall expanded from the military to political affairs and management of the Reich as well. Many German citizens acknowledged Göring highly because of his prestigious title as "Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reich", meaning in English "Imperial Marshal of the Greater German Empire".

The chief function of the rank was to emphasize that Hermann Göring was Hitler's second-in-command as he was the chosen successor of the Greater German Reich if anything was to happen to the Führer. The service branch in the Wehrmacht associated with Reichsmarschall was the Luftwaffe, but the army and air force both had similar ranks and insignia compared to that of the Kriegsmarine (navy). The highest rank in the navy was Großadmiral (Grand Admiral) and was equal to a 5 star rank, like Field Marshal, meaning that there was no equivalent or higher rank in the Wehrmacht during the rule of Nazi Germany. Similarly, Göring outranked even the commander-in-chief of the Schutzstaffel, Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler. In comparison to the military, Himmler was technically a five-star general, but was Görings rival for the successor of Hitler after the commencing of Operation Barbarosa. Whomever held the rank of Reichsmarschall was meant to be seen as second only to the Supreme Leader of Germany, Adolf Hitler. The rank also gave Göring the ability to design and form more stylish uniforms with different ranks and insignia that outclassed his previous junior rank of Generalfeldmarschall. This demonstrated his unique rank and authority over all other Wehrmacht generals and fit his personality to be a flamboyant person, a senior member of the Nazi Party and in the Reich. The uniforms he wore were beautiful and flashy, ranging from baby blue to his most worn grey Luftwaffe uniform. He wore many medals as he was one of the most decorated soldiers in Germany and received the highest awards able to be given by Hitler. He had special shoulder broads and Luftwaffe Reichsmarschall collar tabs, different from his previous uniform and insignia. Göring also had a baton awarded to him after his promotion in the ceremony. It was encrusted with diamonds and made with gold and other highly valuable materials. It was estimated to have costed over $100,000 USD to make, and is worth millions now.

Göring was also designated as the Hitler's successor. 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 (30 April 1945).

Standards

• 
  Standard from 1940 to 1941 (left side)
• 
  Standard from 1940 to 1941 (right side)
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  Standard from 1941 to 1945 (left side)
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  Standard from 1941 to 1945 (right side)

Uniform

• 
  The original uniform shown in the Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr in Berlin.
• 
  The original baton shown in the West Point Museum.

References

Citations

Bibliography

• Haskew, Michael (2011). The Wehrmacht. Amber Books. ISBN 978-1-907446-95-5.
• O'Donnell, James P. (1979). The History of the Reich Chancellery Group. London, UK: J. M. Dent. OCLC 638799214.

Junior rank Generalfeldmarschall (Army and Luftwaffe) Großadmiral (Kriegsmarine)

(Ranks Wehrmacht) Reichsmarschall

Senior rank None