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Reichsmarschall (German: Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches; lit.'ReichMarshal of the Greater German Reich') was a military rank that held the highest position in the office of the Wehrmacht specially created for Hermann Göring during World War II. It was senior to the rank of Generalfeldmarschall, which was previously the highest rank in the Wehrmacht.[1] It was equivalent to General of the Armies in the United States, or Generalissimo in other countries.
History
Until 1940, the highest rank in the German military was Generalfeldmarschall (transl.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. In a ceremony on 19 July 1940, after winning the Battle of France, Adolf 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[a][3] 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 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.
Earlier, on the day Germany invaded Poland, Hitler designated Göring as his successor, a status underscored by a 1941 decree that empowered Göring to act as Hitler's deputy with full freedom of action in the event Hitler was incapacitated. 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 AdmiralKarl Dönitz. Dönitz's appointment was made on or before the day of Hitler's suicide.[4]
^Knopf, Volker; Martens, Stefan (2012). Görings Reich: Der Reichsjägermeister in der Schorfheide. Neumann-Neudamm GmbH. ISBN9783788815134. OCLC809373538.
