General (Sweden)

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General
General
Rank flag
Rank insignia of the Army, Amphibious Corps & Air force
Country Sweden
Service branchArmy
Air Force
Amphibious Corps (from 2000)
Coastal Artillery (until 2000)
AbbreviationGen (Swedish)[1] (English)[2]
Rank groupGeneral officer
RankFour-star[a]
Non-NATO rankOF-9
Next lower rankLieutenant general
Equivalent ranksAdmiral

General (Gen; Swedish: General) is a four-star commissioned officer rank in the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force and Swedish Amphibious Corps. General ranks immediately above lieutenant general and is equivalent to admiral in the Swedish Navy. It is held by the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces and the monarch.

History[edit]

In Sweden, the rank of general was a three-star rank until 1972 when it became a four-star rank. Historically, during the 20th century, lieutenant generals were promoted one grade upon retirement to full general. According to current practice only royals and the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces, if he were to come from the Swedish Army, Swedish Air Force or the Swedish Amphibious Corps can hold the rank of a full, four-star, general in Sweden.

In 2009, the Swedish Armed Forces reported that General Håkan Syrén would retain his rank during his time as Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (2009–2012), which for the first time gave Sweden three active four-star generals; former Supreme Commander, General Håkan Syrén (2004–2012), current Supreme Commander, General Sverker Göranson (2009–2015) and Carl XVI Gustaf (1973–present).[3] This is correct since the rank of general since 1972 is a four-star rank. However, before 1972, the rank of general was a three-star rank, and between 1940 and 1941 Sweden had five active three-star generals; the Supreme Commander, General Olof Thörnell (1940–1944), General Oscar Nygren (1939–1941[b]), King Gustaf V (1898–1950), Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf (1932–1973) and Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland (1908–1951).[5]

Following a proposal from the Swedish Armed Forces, the Government of Sweden decides on employment as a general.[6]

In everyday speech, generals of all ranks are addressed as generals.[7][8]

Rank insignia[edit]

Collar patches[edit]

  • Collar patch m/58 (black m/02) on field uniform M90 (2002–present)
    Collar patch m/58 (black m/02) on field uniform M90
    (2002–present)
  • Collar patch m/58 (black m/02) on field uniform M90 (2002–present)
    Collar patch m/58 (black m/02) on field uniform M90
    (2002–present)
  • Collar patch m/58 (gold) on uniform m/58-m/59 and field uniform M90 (1983–2002)
    Collar patch m/58 (gold) on uniform m/58-m/59 and field uniform M90
    (1983–2002)
  • Collar patch m/58 (gold) on uniform m/58-m/59 and field uniform M90 (–2002)
    Collar patch m/58 (gold) on uniform m/58-m/59 and field uniform M90
    (–2002)
  • Collar patch m/58 (bronze) on uniform m/58-m/59 (1972–1983)
    Collar patch m/58 (bronze) on uniform m/58-m/59
    (1972–1983)
  • Collar patch m/58 (bronze) on uniform m/58-m/59 (1958–1972)
    Collar patch m/58 (bronze) on uniform m/58-m/59
    (1958–1972)
  • Collar patch on uniform m/1923 (1923–1939)
    Collar patch on uniform m/1923
    (1923–1939)

Shoulder marks[edit]

  • Shoulder mark on uniform m/87 (Army and Air Force) (1987–present)
    Shoulder mark on uniform m/87 (Army and Air Force)
    (1987–present)
  • Shoulder mark m/87 on white shirt (Army and Air Force) (1987–present)
    Shoulder mark m/87 on white shirt (Army and Air Force)
    (1987–present)
  • Shoulder mark m/87 on white shirt (Navy) (1987–present)
    Shoulder mark m/87 on white shirt (Navy)
    (1987–present)
  • Shoulder mark on uniform m/1939 (1939–1958)
    Shoulder mark on uniform m/1939
    (1939–1958)
  • Shoulder mark on uniform m/1923 (1923–1939)
    Shoulder mark on uniform m/1923
    (1923–1939)
  • Shoulder mark on uniform m/1910 (1910–1923)
    Shoulder mark on uniform m/1910
    (1910–1923)

Sleeve insignias[edit]

Amphibious Corps and Coastal Artillery[edit]

  • Sleeve insignia for a general in the Amphibious Corps (2003–present)
    Sleeve insignia for a general in the Amphibious Corps
    (2003–present)
  • Sleeve insignia for a general in the Amphibious Corps (2000–2003) and Coastal Artillery (1972–2000)
    Sleeve insignia for a general in the Amphibious Corps
    (2000–2003)
    and
    Coastal Artillery (1972–2000)
  • Sleeve insignia for a general in the Coastal Artillery (1901–1972)
    Sleeve insignia for a general in the Coastal Artillery
    (1901–1972)

Air Force[edit]

  • Sleeve insignia for a general (1972–present) (today only on mess dress uniform)
    Sleeve insignia for a general (1972–present) (today only on mess dress uniform)
  • Sleeve insignia for a general (?–1972)
    Sleeve insignia for a general (?–1972)
  • Flight suit sleeve insignia (Ärmmatta m/02) for a general[9] (1972–present)
    Flight suit sleeve insignia (Ärmmatta m/02) for a general[9]
    (1972–present)
  • Flight suit sleeve insignia for a general (?–1972)
    Flight suit sleeve insignia for a general
    (?–1972)

Army[edit]

  • Sleeve insignia for a general on uniform m/1906 (1906–1923)
    Sleeve insignia for a general on uniform m/1906
    (1906–1923)

Hats[edit]

  • Hat for general of any rank on uniform m/1865-99 (1865–?)
    Hat for general of any rank on uniform m/1865-99
    (1865–?)
  • Peaked cap (dark blue) for air force general (Skärmmössa m/1930) (1930–)
    Peaked cap (dark blue) for air force general (Skärmmössa m/1930)
    (1930–)
  • Peaked cap (white) for air force general (Skärmmössa m/1930) (1930–)
    Peaked cap (white) for air force general (Skärmmössa m/1930)
    (1930–)
  • Peaked cap for army general (Skärmmössa m/1952) (1952–)
    Peaked cap for army general (Skärmmössa m/1952)
    (1952–)

Personal flags[edit]

The command flag of a general (and an admiral) is a double swallowtailed Swedish flag. In the first blue field 4 five-pointed white stars placed two over two.[10]

  • Admiral/General[c] command flag (4 stars)[12] (1972–present)
    Admiral/General[c] command flag (4 stars)[12]
    (1972–present)
  • Admiral/General[c] command flag (3 stars)[11] (1905–1972)
    Admiral/General[c] command flag (3 stars)[11]
    (1905–1972)

List of generals[edit]

The following have been promoted to the rank of general in the Swedish Armed Forces between 1900 and 2024.   This colour indicates that the person was appointed honorary general in the Swedish Army.

Image Country Branch Name Year
promoted		 Born Died Notes Ref
Sweden Army Axel Rappe 1903 1838 1918 Chief of the General Staff (1899–1905) [13]
Sweden Army Hemming Gadd 1905[d] 1837 1915 Commander of the 4th Army Division (1896–1905)
Commandant General in Stockholm (1905–1905)
Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1905–1907)		 [13]
United Kingdom Army Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn 1906 1850 1942 Honorary General
Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1874–1942)		 [13]
Grand Duchy of Baden Army Frederick II, Grand Duke of Baden 1906 1857 1928 Honorary General
Grand Duke of Baden (1907–1918)		 [13]
Sweden Army Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland 1908 1861 1951 Prince of Sweden (1861–1951) [13]
Kingdom of Prussia Army Wilhelm II, German Emperor 1908 1859 1941 Honorary General
German Emperor, King of Prussia (1888–1918)		 [13]
United Kingdom Army Edward VII 1908 1841 1910 Honorary General
King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, Emperor of India (1901–1910)		 [13]
Sweden Army Gustaf Uggla 1913[d] 1846 1924 Commander of the 2nd Army Division (1902–1913)
Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1910–1923)
Sweden Army Knut Gillis Bildt 1919[d] 1854 1927 Chief of the General Staff (1905–1919)
Sweden Army Lars Tingsten 1922[d] 1857 1937 Chief of the General Staff (1919–1922)
Hammarskjöld as lieutenant general (1926–1930)
Hammarskjöld as lieutenant general (1926–1930)
 Sweden Army Carl Gustaf Hammarskjöld 1930[d] 1865 1940 Chief of the General Staff (1922–1930)
Gustaf VI Adolf in army uniform
Gustaf VI Adolf in air force uniform
 Sweden Army / Air Force Gustaf VI Adolf 1932 1882 1973 Crown Prince of Sweden (1907–1950)
King of Sweden (1950–1973)
Nygren as major general (1929–1937)
Nygren as major general (1929–1937)
 Sweden Army Oscar Nygren 1937[e] 1872 1960 Chief of the General Staff (1933–1937)
Sweden Army Olof Thörnell 1940 1877 1977 Supreme Commander (1939–1944)
Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1944–1950)
Sweden Army Helge Jung 1944 1886 1978 Supreme Commander (1944–1951)
Sweden Army Nils Swedlund 1951 1898 1965 Supreme Commander (1951–1961)
Sweden Air Force Bengt Nordenskiöld 1954[d] 1891 1983 Chief of the Air Force (1942–1954)
Sweden Army Carl August Ehrensvärd 1957[d] 1892 1974 Chief of the Army (1948–1957)
Ljungdahl as lieutenant general (1954–1960)
Ljungdahl as lieutenant general (1954–1960)
 Sweden Air Force Axel Ljungdahl 1960[d] 1887 1995 Chief of the Air Force (1954–1960)
Sweden Air Force Torsten Rapp 1961 1905 1993 Supreme Commander (1961–1970)
Cederschiöld as major general (1937–1963
Cederschiöld as major general (1937–1963
 Sweden Army Hugo Cederschiöld 1963[f] 1878 1968 Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1950–1963)
Bonde as lieutenant general (1957–1963
Bonde as lieutenant general (1957–1963
 Sweden Army Thord Bonde 1963[d] 1900 1969 Chief of the Army (1957–1963)
Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1963–1969)
Bonde as lieutenant general (1961–1968
Bonde as lieutenant general (1961–1968
 Sweden Air Force Lage Thunberg 1968[d] 1905 1997 Chief of the Air Force (1961–1968)
Sweden Army Curt Göransson 1969[d] 1909 1996 Chief of the Army (1963–1969)
Prince Bertil is admiral's uniform
Prince Bertil is admiral's uniform
 Sweden Army / Air Force[g] Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland 1969 1912 1997 Prince of Sweden (1912–1997) [15]
Sweden Army Stig Synnergren 1970 1915 2004 Supreme Commander (1970–1978)
Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1978–1986)
Carl XVI Gustaf in army uniform
Carl XVI Gustaf in army uniform
 Sweden Army / Air Force[h] Carl XVI Gustaf 1973 1946 — King of Sweden (1973–present)
Norén as lieutenant general (1966–1973
Norén as lieutenant general (1966–1973
 Sweden Air Force Stig Norén 1973[d] 1908 1996 Chief of the Air Force (1968–1973)
Almgren as major general (1961–1966)
Almgren as major general (1961–1966)
 Sweden Army Carl Eric Almgren 1976[d] 1913 2001 Chief of the Army (1969–1976)
Sweden Army Lennart Ljung 1978 1921 1990 Supreme Commander (1978–1986)
Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff (1986–1990)
Sweden Army Bengt Gustafsson 1986 1933 2019 Supreme Commander (1986–1994)
Sweden Air Force Owe Wiktorin 1994 1940 — Supreme Commander (1994–2000)
Hederstedt as senior colonel (1993–1996)
Hederstedt as senior colonel (1993–1996)
 Sweden Army Johan Hederstedt 2000 1943 — Supreme Commander (2000–2003)
Sweden Navy (Amphibious Corps) Håkan Syrén 2004 1952 — Supreme Commander (2004–2009)
Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (2009-2012)
Sweden Army Sverker Göranson 2009 1954 — Supreme Commander (2009–2015)
Sweden Air Force Micael Bydén 2015 1964 — Supreme Commander (2015–present)

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ General was a three-star rank until 1972 in the Swedish Armed Forces rank structure.
  2. ^ Nygren left active service and was promoted to general in the army on 1 October 1937. He was recalled to active service to the post of commander of the 2nd Army Corps, where he served in Upper Norrland from December 1939 to April 1940 and in western Sweden from April to September 1940 and April to August 1941. Nygren was at the appointment in 1939 Sweden's only three-star general outside the royal family.[4]
  3. ^ a b The Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces used admiral's flag since 1942.[11]
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Upon retirement.
  5. ^ Upon retirement on 1 October 1937. However, Nygren was called back for service as commander of the 2nd Army Corps in Upper Norrland and in Western Sweden from 1939 to 1941.[4]
  6. ^ Transferred to reserve in 1950, where he remained as lieutenant general until 31 December 1954. After resigning as Chief of His Majesty's Military Staff in 1963, Cederschiöld was promoted to general in the army on 23 May 1963.[14]
  7. ^ Prince Bertil, Duke of Halland was general in the Swedish Army and in the Swedish Air Force (and admiral in the Swedish Navy).[15]
  8. ^ King Carl XVI Gustaf is general in the Swedish Army and in the Swedish Air Force (and admiral in the Swedish Navy).[16]

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ "Försvarsmaktens föreskrifter om personaltjänst (FFS 2019:6)" (PDF) (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. 2019-12-02. p. 3. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Försvarsmaktens gemensamma identitet – direktiv för användandet av Försvarsmaktens namn, profil och bild" (PDF). 1.3 (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. 2013-09-16. p. 66. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  3. ^ Haglund, Sven-Åke (5 November 2009). "Håkan Syrén general i EU" (in Swedish). Swedish Armed Forces. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b Cronenberg, Arvid (1990–1991). "Oscar E Nygren". Svenskt biografiskt lexikon (in Swedish). Vol. 27. National Archives of Sweden. p. 704. Retrieved 2016-07-11.
  5. ^ Sveriges statskalender för skottåret 1940 (in Swedish). Uppsala: Fritzes offentliga publikationer. 1940. p. 268.
  6. ^ "Förordning om ändring i förordningen (2000:555) med instruktion för Försvarsmakten" (PDF) (in Swedish). Swedish Code of Statutes. 20 June 2005. p. 2. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  7. ^ Etikett och god ton: Praktisk handbok i sättet att uppföra sig. 1 (in Swedish). Stockholm: Åhlén & Åkerlund. 1932. p. 128. SELIBR 1353820.
  8. ^ Handbok: parad 6: traditionsvård : H PARAD 6 2016 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Försvarsmakten. 2017. p. 31. SELIBR 22459606.
  9. ^ Reglemente: uniformsbestämmelser 2015 : Unibest FM 2015 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Försvarsmakten. 2015. p. 343. SELIBR 19513428.
  10. ^ Braunstein 2004, p. 111
  11. ^ a b Lybeck 1945, p. 570
  12. ^ Handbok: parad 4: marinen : R PARAD 4 2017 (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm: Försvarsmakten. 2017. p. 14. SELIBR 21485968.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Sveriges statskalender för år 1909 (PDF) (in Swedish). Uppsala: P.A. Nordstedt & Söner. 1909. p. 126.
  14. ^ "Hugo Montgomery Cederschiöld". www.nordvik.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  15. ^ a b Spiegelberg 1984, p. 404
  16. ^ "Officiella fotografier" (in Swedish). Royal Court of Sweden. Retrieved 19 March 2021.

Sources[edit]

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