Generalfeldmarschall: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Marschallsstab.jpg|thumb|100px|Replica of the |
[[Image:Marschallsstab.jpg|thumb|100px|Replica of the marshal's baton of ''Generalfeldmarschall'' [[Wolfram von Richthofen|von Richthofen]] (Third Reich)]] |
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'''''Generalfeldmarschall''''' ({{Audio|De-Generalfeldmarschall-pronunciation.ogg|<small>listen</small>}}) ( |
'''''Generalfeldmarschall''''' ({{Audio|De-Generalfeldmarschall-pronunciation.ogg|<small>listen</small>}}) (general field marshal, usually translated simply as [[field marshal]], and sometimes written only as '''''feldmarschall''''') was a rank in the armies of several [[Germany|German]] states, the [[Holy Roman Empire]], and the [[Austrian Empire]]. The rank was the equivalent of a [[general of the army]] in some other nations, and to a [[grand admiral]] in the German Navy. |
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[[Image:GermanGAdm.jpg|thumb|left|195px|Shoulder boards of a '' |
[[Image:GermanGAdm.jpg|thumb|left|195px|Shoulder boards of a ''generalfeldmarschall'']] |
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In the Prussian Army and later in the German Army the rank had several privileges, such as a constant escort/protection. In 1854 the rank of '' |
In the Prussian Army and later in the German Army the rank had several privileges, such as a constant escort/protection. In 1854 the rank of ''generaloberst'' ([[Colonel General|colonel-general]]) was created in order to promote Prince Wilhelm to senior rank without breaking the rule that only wartime field commanders could receive the rank of field marshal. In 1870 Prince [[Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia|Friedrich Karl]] and Kronprinz [[Friedrich III of Germany (Hohenzollern)|Friedrich Wilhelm]] became the first Prussian princes appointed field marshals. |
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In the German armies and [[Luftwaffe]], the rank of '' |
In the German armies and [[Luftwaffe]], the rank of ''generalfeldmarschall'' was the highest military rank until 1941, when it was made subordinate to the even higher rank of ''[[reichsmarschall]]'' (held solely by [[Hermann Göring]]). The equivalent of a ''generalfeldmarschall'' in the navy was ''großadmiral'' ([[grand admiral]]). The rank of ''generalfeldmarschall'' was abolished after the fall of the [[Third Reich]]. Currently, the highest rank in the reconstituted [[Bundeswehr]] is [[general]], but among these, there is a ''[[generalinspekteur]]''. By permanent enactment of the Commander-in-Chief (''[[Inhaber der Befehls- und Kommandogewalt]]'') of the ''Bundeswehr'', who is in peacetime, according to Art. 65 a GG, the ''[[Bundesminister der Verteidigung]]'', he has special command authority over all soldiers. |
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The ''[[Nationale Volksarmee]]'' (NVA) of the [[German Democratic Republic]] created the rank of ''''' |
The ''[[Nationale Volksarmee]]'' (NVA) of the [[German Democratic Republic]] created the rank of '''''marschall der DDR''''' (marshal of the GDR) on the [[25 March]] [[1982]]. A general could be appointed to this rank by the ''[[Staatsrat]]'' (the head-of-state council of the GDR) during war or for exceptional military achievement. During the few years between the rank's creation and the fall of the GDR in [[1990]], no one had been appointed to the rank. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 11:28, 21 August 2006
Generalfeldmarschall () (general field marshal, usually translated simply as field marshal, and sometimes written only as feldmarschall) was a rank in the armies of several German states, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Austrian Empire. The rank was the equivalent of a general of the army in some other nations, and to a grand admiral in the German Navy.
In the Prussian Army and later in the German Army the rank had several privileges, such as a constant escort/protection. In 1854 the rank of generaloberst (colonel-general) was created in order to promote Prince Wilhelm to senior rank without breaking the rule that only wartime field commanders could receive the rank of field marshal. In 1870 Prince Friedrich Karl and Kronprinz Friedrich Wilhelm became the first Prussian princes appointed field marshals.
In the German armies and Luftwaffe, the rank of generalfeldmarschall was the highest military rank until 1941, when it was made subordinate to the even higher rank of reichsmarschall (held solely by Hermann Göring). The equivalent of a generalfeldmarschall in the navy was großadmiral (grand admiral). The rank of generalfeldmarschall was abolished after the fall of the Third Reich. Currently, the highest rank in the reconstituted Bundeswehr is general, but among these, there is a generalinspekteur. By permanent enactment of the Commander-in-Chief (Inhaber der Befehls- und Kommandogewalt) of the Bundeswehr, who is in peacetime, according to Art. 65 a GG, the Bundesminister der Verteidigung, he has special command authority over all soldiers.
The Nationale Volksarmee (NVA) of the German Democratic Republic created the rank of marschall der DDR (marshal of the GDR) on the 25 March 1982. A general could be appointed to this rank by the Staatsrat (the head-of-state council of the GDR) during war or for exceptional military achievement. During the few years between the rank's creation and the fall of the GDR in 1990, no one had been appointed to the rank.