Reichsmarschall

Template:Short description Template:Italic title Template:Multiple issues Template:Use Oxford spelling Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military rank (Template:Langx; Template:Literally) was an honorary military rank, specially created for Hermann Göring during World War II, and the highest rank in the . It was senior to the rank of (Template:Lit, equivalent to field marshal, which was previously the highest rank in the ), but was merely a ceremonial appointment to accentuate Göring's position as Hitler's designated successor.Template:Sfn No actual subordination of the other field marshals or a superior position of the holder followed from it. It was equivalent to General of the Armies in the United States, or in other countries.

History

Until July 1940, the highest rank in the German military was . At the beginning of World War II, the only active holder of that rank was Hermann Göring, Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe.Template:Sfn On 19 July 1940, following the German victory in the Battle of France, Adolf Hitler held a ceremony in which he promoted twelve generals to the newly awarded rank of . During the same ceremony, Göring was elevated to the newly created rank of , a symbolic move to highlight his seniority over other commanders and to fulfill his ambitions for prestige, though it conferred no additional authority.Template:EfnTemplate:Sfn This was done in order to ensure that the (Template:Gloss, abbreviated in German to OKW), 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 Admiral Karl Dönitz. Dönitz's appointment was made on or before the day of Hitler's suicide.Template:Sfn