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| Reichsmarschall | |
|---|---|
 Standard from 1941 to 1945 (left side) | |
 Collar insignia | |
 Shoulder boards | |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Service branch |  Wehrmacht |
| Formation | 12th century(historical) 19 July 1940 |
| Abolished | 1945 |
| Next lower rank | Generalfeldmarschall Großadmiral |
Reichsmarschall (German:Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches;lit. 'ReichMarshal of theGreater German Reich') was an honorary military rank, specially created forHermann Göring duringWorld War II, and thede jure highest rank in theWehrmacht. It was senior to the rank ofGeneralfeldmarschall (lit. 'general field marshal', equivalent tofield marshal, which was previously the highest rank in theWehrmacht), but was merely a ceremonial appointment to accentuate Göring's position asHitler's designated successor.[1] No actual subordination of the other field marshals or a superior position of the holder followed from it.[citation needed] It was equivalent toGeneral of the Armies in the United States, orGeneralissimo in other countries.[2]
Until July 1940, the highest rank in the German military wasGeneralfeldmarschall. At the beginning of World War II, the only active holder of that rank was Hermann Göring,Commander-in-Chief of theLuftwaffe.[3] On 19 July 1940, following the German victory in theBattle of France, Adolf Hitler held aceremony in which he promoted twelve generals to the newly awarded rank ofGeneralfeldmarschall.[4] During the same ceremony, Göring was elevated to the newly created rank ofReichsmarschall, a symbolic move to highlight his seniority over otherWehrmacht commanders and to fulfill his ambitions for prestige, though it conferred no additional authority.[a][6] This was done in order to ensure that theOberkommando der Wehrmacht ('High Command of the Armed Forces', abbreviated in German to OKW), which was headed by Hitler, would retain overall control and authority over the German military.[7]
Earlier, on the dayGermany 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, whenGöring 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 inhis last will and testament,Grand AdmiralKarl Dönitz. Dönitz's appointment was made on or before the day ofHitler's suicide.[8]
The rank of Reichsmarschall was held by Hermann Goring during World War Two, and made him the highest ranking officer in all of Germany, the equivalent of a 6-star General.
on July 19, 1940, Hitler bestowed the field marshal's baton on 12 generals, including Kesselring, in celebration of their swift victory in the west. Kesselring, a General der Flieger, jumped over the rank of Generaloberst directly to Generalfeldmarschall.
