During World War II, the German military structure had a hierarchy of ranks, including various levels of generals. These ranks denoted the authority, responsibility, and expertise of officers within the German armed forces. In this article, we will examine the German “general” ranks of World War II, exploring their hierarchical order and shedding light on the significance of each rank.
Generaloberst (Colonel General)
At the pinnacle of the German general ranks was the rank of Generaloberst, or Colonel General. This rank was the highest attainable rank in the German Army during World War II, the equivalent of a five-star general in the United States. Colonel Generals held strategic leadership positions and were responsible for commanding large army groups, overseeing major military operations, and making crucial decisions on the battlefield.
General of Infantry
The rank of General der Infanterie was one of the highest ranks in the German Army. Officers of this rank possessed extensive knowledge and expertise in infantry tactics and strategy. They were charged with commanding and coordinating infantry divisions, formulating battlefield strategies, and ensuring the effectiveness of infantry operations.
General of Artillery
The rank of General of Artillery designated officers who specialized in artillery operations. These generals were responsible for overseeing the deployment and effective use of artillery units. They strategized the placement and targeting of artillery units to ensure that their firepower was used to its maximum potential.
General of Armored Troops
As armored warfare grew in importance, the rank of General of the Armored Corps was created. Officers of this rank were experts in armored warfare and were responsible for commanding and coordinating armored divisions and units. They played a crucial role in developing armored tactics, exploiting breakthroughs, and leading mobile offensives.
General of the Air Force
The German Air Force, known as the Luftwaffe, had its own hierarchy of general ranks. The rank of General der Flieger was the highest attainable rank within the Luftwaffe. These generals oversaw air operations, commanded air fleets, and played a key role in shaping air strategy and tactics.
General Admiral
In addition to the land and air forces, the German Navy, or Kriegsmarine, had its own set of general ranks. The highest rank in the Navy was Admiral General. Admirals were responsible for commanding naval fleets, formulating naval strategy, and ensuring the effectiveness of naval operations.
Generaloberst of the Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS, the fighting branch of the SS, had its own rank structure. The highest rank within the Waffen-SS was Generaloberst der Waffen-SS, or Colonel General of the Waffen-SS. These officers held high command positions within the SS and were responsible for leading and coordinating SS divisions in combat.
Lieutenant General
The rank of Generalleutnant or Lieutenant General was the second highest general rank in the German Army. Lieutenant Generals held major command positions, serving as division commanders or in other important leadership roles. They were responsible for directing and coordinating the activities of several regiments and brigades.
Major General
The rank of major general was the third highest general rank in the German Army. Major Generals held important field command positions, usually leading brigades or serving as senior staff officers. They played a crucial role in planning and executing military operations, providing strategic guidance, and coordinating the efforts of subordinate units.
General of the Mountain Troops
The German Army had specialized mountain troops known as Gebirgsjäger. The rank of General der Gebirgstruppe (General of the Mountain Troops) was created specifically for officers with expertise in leading and coordinating these specialized units. The General of Mountain Troops played a vital role in mountain warfare and the challenging terrain of alpine regions.
General of the Paratroopers
The German paratroopers were an elite airborne force. The rank of General der Fallschirmtruppe (General of the Paratroops) was created for officers with expertise and experience in directing and coordinating airborne operations. These generals were responsible for planning and executing parachute assaults, coordinating airdrops, and overseeing the training and readiness of paratroop units.
Surgeon General
In addition to ranks specific to combat and leadership roles, there were specialized general ranks for medical officers. The rank of Surgeon General or Colonel General was the highest rank within the medical corps. These officers held senior administrative and supervisory positions within the military medical system, overseeing the health and welfare of soldiers and managing medical services.
Surgeon General
Below the rank of Surgeon General, the rank of Surgeon General or General Physician represented senior medical officers within the German military. Surgeons General were responsible for providing medical expertise, supervising medical units, and ensuring the health and medical readiness of troops.
Conclusion
The German “general” ranks of World War II encompassed a wide range of specialized roles and responsibilities within the German armed forces. From colonel-generals overseeing major military operations to specialized ranks such as general of infantry, general of artillery, general of armored forces, general of aviation, and general admiral, each rank represented a distinct area of expertise and contributed to the overall effectiveness and leadership of the German military during the war. Understanding these ranks provides valuable insight into the organizational structure and command hierarchy of the German Armed Forces during this historic period.
FAQs
What were the German “general” ranks in World War II?
During World War II, the German Army used a unique system of “general” ranks, which included both standard general ranks and a series of specialized ranks. The general ranks were divided into two groups: general officers (Generale) and flag officers (Flaggoffiziere).
Here are the general ranks in the German Army during World War II, listed in descending order:
- Generalfeldmarschall (General Field Marshal): This was the highest rank in the German Army and was reserved for only the most accomplished and distinguished military commanders. During World War II, only twelve officers were promoted to the rank of Generalfeldmarschall.
- Generaloberst (Colonel General): This was the highest rank in the regular Army, and was equivalent to the rank of full general in other armies. A Generaloberst usually commanded an Army Group or a major theater of operations.
- General der Infanterie (General of Infantry): This was the highest rank in the infantry and was equivalent to the rank of lieutenant general in other armies. A General der Infanterie typically commanded an infantry corps or an army.
- General der Panzertruppe (General of Panzer Troops): This was the highest rank in the panzer (tank) forces and was equivalent to the rank of lieutenant general. A General der Panzertruppe typically commanded a panzer corps or an army.
- General der Artillerie (General of Artillery): This was the highest rank in the artillery and was equivalent to the rank of lieutenant general. A General der Artillerie typically commanded an artillery corps or an army.
- General der Kavallerie (General of Cavalry): This was the highest rank in the cavalry and was equivalent to the rank of lieutenant general. A General der Kavallerie typically commanded a cavalry corps or an army.
- Generalleutnant (Lieutenant General): This was a general officer rank and was equivalent to the rank of major general in other armies. A Generalleutnant typically commanded a division.
- Generalmajor (Major General): This was a general officer rank and was equivalent to the rank of brigadier general in other armies. A Generalmajor typically commanded a brigade or a regiment.
- Brigadegeneral (Brigade General): This was a flag officer rank, equivalent to the rank of commodore in other navies. Brigadegenerals were usually assigned as senior staff officers or as commanders of smaller units.
Overall, the German Army’s system of general ranks during World War II was highly specialized and reflected the unique structure and organization of the German military at the time.
What was the most elite German unit in ww2?
During World War II, the German military had several elite units, each with its own unique skills and specialties. However, one of the most well-known and respected of these units was the Waffen-SS, which was the military branch of the SS (Schutzstaffel).
Created in 1939, the Waffen-SS was originally intended as a military formation to support the regular German army. Over time, it grew into a significant fighting force and became known for its high level of training, discipline, and fanaticism. Waffen-SS soldiers were often fanatically loyal to Nazi ideology, and their training emphasized individual initiative and aggression.
Some of the most elite units within the Waffen-SS included
- Das Reich: Originally created as a motorized division, this unit saw action in France, the Soviet Union, and Normandy. It was known for its ruthlessness and was implicated in several war crimes.
- Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler: This was the first Waffen-SS unit and was created as a personal bodyguard unit for Adolf Hitler. It was later expanded into a full division and fought in France, the Soviet Union, and Italy.
- Totenkopf: This division was originally created to guard concentration camps, but was later expanded into a full combat division. It fought on the Eastern Front and was involved in several war crimes, including the massacre of civilians in the Soviet Union.
- Wiking: This division consisted largely of non-German volunteers, including Scandinavians and other European nationals. It fought on the Eastern Front and was known for its bravery and effectiveness in combat.
- Hitlerjugend: This division was composed of young volunteers from the Hitler Youth organization. It was formed in the final years of the war and fought in several battles in France and Germany.
The Waffen-SS units were often used as shock troops and were sent into battle in the toughest and most critical situations. Their tactics emphasized speed, surprise, and aggression, and they were known for their brutal treatment of prisoners and civilians.
Overall, the Waffen-SS was one of the most elite units of the German military during World War II, and its soldiers were among the most feared and respected in combat. However, the unit was also responsible for numerous war crimes, and its members were often fanatically loyal to Nazi ideology.
How many generals did the Germans have in World War II?
It is difficult to give an exact number of how many generals the Germans had during World War II, as the number of generals fluctuated throughout the war due to promotions, casualties, and retirements. However, it is estimated that the German Army had approximately 1,600 general and flag officers during the course of the war.
Of these, approximately 195 were promoted to the rank of Generalmajor or higher, and approximately 47 were promoted to the rank of Generaloberst or higher. Only twelve officers were promoted to the highest rank of Generalfeldmarschall.
The German military had a unique system of “general” ranks, which included both standard general ranks and a number of specialized ranks. The general ranks were divided into two groups: general officers (Generale) and flag officers (Flaggoffiziere).
General officers included the ranks of lieutenant general, major general, general of infantry, general of armor, general of artillery, and general of cavalry.
Flag officers included the ranks of Fliegergeneral (general of the air force), Konteradmiral (rear admiral), Vizeadmiral (vice admiral), Admiral (admiral), Generaladmiral (general admiral), and Großadmiral (grand admiral).
In addition to these ranks, the German military had several specialized ranks, such as SS-Brigadeführer and Polizeigeneral.
Overall, the German military had a large number of generals during World War II, reflecting the complexity and scale of the conflict.
What were German captains called in ww2?
Hauptmann
| Captain Hauptmann | |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Service branch | German Army German Air Force |
| Abbreviation | H or Hptm |
| NATO rank code | OF-2 |
What are the German military ranks in order?
5. Ranks
| U.S. Army Equivalent | German Basic Rank | Special Designation |
|---|---|---|
| Major General | Generalleutnant | Generalstabs- Arzt, etc. as above |
| Brigadier General | Generalmajor | General- Arzt, etc. as above |
| Colonel | Oberst | Oberst- Arzt, etc. as above |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Oberstleutnant | Oberfeld- Arzt, etc. as above |
Who was Hitler’s best general?
Field Marshal Erich von Manstein
Field Marshal Erich von Manstein is widely regarded as the greatest of the German generals in the Second World War. He was not widely known in the West for his battles were almost exclusively fought on the Russian front.
Who was Hitler’s deadliest general?
Otto Skorzeny
| Otto Skorzeny | |
|---|---|
| Years of service | 1932–1945 |
| Rank | Obersturmbannführer |
| Commands held | Sonder Lehrgang Oranienburg SS Panzer Brigade 150 |
| Battles/wars | World War II Eastern Front Operation Oak Operation Panzerfaust Battle of the Bulge (Operation Greif) |
Is Field Marshal higher than general?
Field marshal (or field-marshal, abbreviated as FM) is the most senior military rank, ordinarily senior to the general officer ranks. Usually, it is the highest rank in an army and as such few persons are appointed to it. It is considered as a five-star rank (OF-10) in modern-day armed forces in many countries.
Who were the best German generals in ww2?
Erich von Manstein, original name Erich Von Lewinski, (born Nov. 24, 1887, Berlin, Ger. —died June 11, 1973, Irschenhausen, near Munich, W. Ger.), German field marshal who was perhaps the most talented German field commander in World War II.
What were Hitler’s generals called?
Oberst-Gruppenführer (colonel general)
| Name | Position | Joined SS |
|---|---|---|
| Sepp Dietrich | Original commander of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH) and later commander of the 6th SS Panzer Army | 5 May 1928 |
| Paul Hausser | Commander of the II SS Panzer Corps | February 1934 |
| Franz Xaver Schwarz | NSDAP Treasurer | 16 September 1931 |
What is the highest German rank?
General (German pronunciation: [ɡenəˈʁaːl]) is the highest rank of the German Army and German Air Force. As a four-star rank it is the equivalent to the rank of admiral in the German Navy.
General (Germany)
| General General | |
|---|---|
| Equivalent ranks | Admiral |
What is the equivalent of a major in the German Army?
Major (Germany)
| Major | |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1956 (current) |
| Next higher rank | Oberstleutnant |
| Next lower rank | Hauptmann |
| Equivalent ranks | Korvettenkapitän |
What rank do most army enlisted retire at?
It is reasonable to assume that the average enlisted member will be able to retire at 20 years having achieved the rank of E-7, and the average officer should be able to retire at 20 years at the rank of O-5.
Who is the only 6 star general in American history?
So yes, there is an equivalent of a six-star general rank on the books in the US Military, but it has only been given to two people in history: John J. Pershing and George Washington, Generals of the Armies of the United States of America.
WHO WAS LAST 5 star general?
Omar Bradley
However, the last 5-star general was Omar Bradley who was retired by 1962 and since the U.S. military has only used 5-star generals during times of war there would have been no 5-star general at that time.
Why is a lieutenant general above a major general?
The seeming incongruity that a lieutenant general outranks a major general (whereas a major outranks a lieutenant) is due to the derivation of major general from sergeant major general, which was a rank subordinate to lieutenant general (as a lieutenant outranks a sergeant major).
How many German generals were killed in action in ww2?
Russia and Germany Both Hard Up for Officers
After the war started, Germany was equally hard on general officers. During the course of the war, Hitler executed 84 German generals, and another 135 generals were killed in action.
What were the names of Hitler’s generals?
Oberst-Gruppenführer (colonel general)
| Name | Position | Joined SS |
|---|---|---|
| Sepp Dietrich | Original commander of the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH) and later commander of the 6th SS Panzer Army | 5 May 1928 |
| Paul Hausser | Commander of the II SS Panzer Corps | February 1934 |
| Franz Xaver Schwarz | NSDAP Treasurer | 16 September 1931 |
Who were the best German generals in ww2?
Erich von Manstein, original name Erich Von Lewinski, (born Nov. 24, 1887, Berlin, Ger. —died June 11, 1973, Irschenhausen, near Munich, W. Ger.), German field marshal who was perhaps the most talented German field commander in World War II.
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