Welcome!

Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.

Generalfeldmarschall Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

Study Hints Create Teach
Global Score: 0
Trophies: 0 🏆

‹ Back

Score: 0 / 100

Study Guide: The Rank of Generalfeldmarschall: History and Evolution

Cheat Sheet:
The Rank of Generalfeldmarschall: History and Evolution Study Guide

Etymology and Core Definition

The etymological origin of the military rank 'Generalfeldmarschall' is traced to the Old High German term 'marahscalc', which denoted a 'stable master'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The term 'Generalfeldmarschall' indeed originates from the Old High German word 'marahscalc', meaning 'stable master' or 'marshal'.

Return to Game

What is the etymological origin of the term 'Generalfeldmarschall'?

Answer: Old High German 'marahscalc', meaning 'stable master' or 'marshal'

Explanation: The term 'Generalfeldmarschall' derives from the Old High German word 'marahscalc', which translates to 'stable master' or 'marshal'.

Return to Game

Historical Precedents: Prussia, Imperial Germany, Austria-Hungary

In the Imperial German Navy, the rank equivalent to Generalfeldmarschall was Admiral.

Answer: False

Explanation: The naval equivalent to the rank of Generalfeldmarschall in the Imperial German Navy was Großadmiral (Grand Admiral), not Admiral.

Return to Game

The Austrian rank of Kaiserlicher Feldmarschall was equivalent to the Hungarian Császári é s királyi tábornagy.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Austrian rank of Kaiserlicher Feldmarschall and its Austro-Hungarian successor, Kaiserlicher und königlicher Feldmarschall, were indeed equivalent to the Hungarian Császári és királyi tábornagy.

Return to Game

Between 1914 and 1918, ten men attained the rank of Kaiserlicher und königlicher Feldmarschall in Austria-Hungary.

Answer: True

Explanation: During the period of 1914 to 1918, ten individuals were promoted to the rank of Kaiserlicher und königlicher Feldmarschall within the Austro-Hungarian military structure.

Return to Game

The rank of Generaloberst was created in Prussia in 1854 solely to honor military victories.

Answer: False

Explanation: The rank of Generaloberst was established in Prussia in 1854 primarily to provide a senior rank for the Crown Prince, not solely to commemorate military victories.

Return to Game

Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia and Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm were the first Prussian princes appointed Generalfeldmarschall in 1870.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 1870, Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia and Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm were indeed the inaugural Prussian princes to receive the rank of Generalfeldmarschall.

Return to Game

The rank of Field Marshal was first used in Saxony in the 17th century.

Answer: True

Explanation: The rank of Field Marshal was first instituted in Saxony in 1631, placing its origin within the 17th century.

Return to Game

The image of the k.u.k. Army Feldmarschall uniform from 1918 shows the Paroli insignia.

Answer: True

Explanation: The depiction of the k.u.k. Army Feldmarschall uniform from 1918 accurately illustrates the Paroli, which denotes the distinctive insignia associated with the rank.

Return to Game

Which rank was the naval equivalent of Generalfeldmarschall in the Imperial German Navy and Kriegsmarine?

Answer: Großadmiral (Grand Admiral)

Explanation: The naval counterpart to the Generalfeldmarschall rank in the Imperial German Navy and the Kriegsmarine was Großadmiral, or Grand Admiral.

Return to Game

In Austria-Hungary, who held the rank of Kaiserlicher und königlicher Feldmarschall ex officio?

Answer: The Emperor-King

Explanation: Within the Austro-Hungarian system, the Emperor-King held the rank of Kaiserlicher und königlicher Feldmarschall ex officio, meaning by virtue of his position.

Return to Game

How many members of the ruling Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty were promoted to Kaiserlicher und königlicher Feldmarschall between 1914 and 1918?

Answer: Four

Explanation: Out of the ten individuals who attained the rank of Kaiserlicher und königlicher Feldmarschall between 1914 and 1918, four were members of the ruling Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty.

Return to Game

Why was the rank of Generaloberst created in Prussia in 1854?

Answer: To allow the Crown Prince to hold a senior rank without violating field marshal promotion rules.

Explanation: The rank of Generaloberst was established in Prussia in 1854 to enable the Crown Prince to attain a high military position without contravening the existing regulations for awarding the rank of field marshal.

Return to Game

Who were the first Prussian princes appointed to the rank of Generalfeldmarschall in 1870?

Answer: Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm and Prince Friedrich Karl

Explanation: In 1870, Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm and Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia became the first members of the Prussian royal family to be appointed Generalfeldmarschall.

Return to Game

When was the rank of Field Marshal first used in Saxony?

Answer: 1631

Explanation: The rank of Field Marshal was first employed in Saxony in the year 1631.

Return to Game

World War I Era

During World War I, excluding honorary appointments, only five German officers were designated Generalfeldmarschall.

Answer: True

Explanation: Excluding honorary promotions, the number of German officers appointed Generalfeldmarschall during World War I was five.

Return to Game

How many German officers, excluding honorary appointments, were promoted to Generalfeldmarschall during World War I?

Answer: Five

Explanation: Excluding honorary promotions, five German officers were elevated to the rank of Generalfeldmarschall during the course of World War I.

Return to Game

Which of these prominent German commanders was NOT promoted to field marshal or Grand Admiral during World War I?

Answer: Erich Ludendorff

Explanation: Despite his significant role, Erich Ludendorff did not receive the rank of field marshal or Grand Admiral during World War I, unlike Mackensen, Hindenburg, and von Bülow.

Return to Game

The Wehrmacht Era (1936-1945)

Adolf Hitler reintroduced the rank of Generalfeldmarschall in 1936, initially promoting Werner von Blomberg.

Answer: True

Explanation: The rank of Generalfeldmarschall was reinstated in the Wehrmacht by Adolf Hitler in 1936, with Werner von Blomberg being the first recipient.

Return to Game

Until July 1940, Generalfeldmarschall was the highest military rank in the Wehrmacht.

Answer: True

Explanation: Prior to July 1940, the rank of Generalfeldmarschall constituted the highest military grade within the Wehrmacht.

Return to Game

Adolf Hitler promoted 25 Heer and Luftwaffe officers to Generalfeldmarschall during his regime.

Answer: True

Explanation: During Hitler's regime, 25 officers from the Heer (Army) and Luftwaffe (Air Force) were elevated to the rank of Generalfeldmarschall.

Return to Game

On July 19, 1940, Hitler promoted nine Army generals to field marshal after the Battle of France.

Answer: True

Explanation: Following the successful conclusion of the Battle of France, Hitler promoted nine Army generals to the rank of field marshal on July 19, 1940.

Return to Game

Walther von Reichenau was among the nine Army generals promoted to field marshal on July 19, 1940.

Answer: True

Explanation: Walther von Reichenau was indeed one of the nine Army generals elevated to field marshal on July 19, 1940.

Return to Game

Albert Kesselring was one of the Luftwaffe officers promoted to field marshal on July 19, 1940.

Answer: True

Explanation: Albert Kesselring was among the three Luftwaffe officers promoted to field marshal on July 19, 1940.

Return to Game

Friedrich Paulus surrendered at Stalingrad before being promoted to Generalfeldmarschall.

Answer: False

Explanation: Friedrich Paulus was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall on January 30, 1943, the day before his army's surrender at Stalingrad.

Return to Game

Generalfeldmarschall Paulus followed Hitler's expectation by committing suicide upon his capture at Stalingrad.

Answer: False

Explanation: Contrary to Hitler's implied expectation, Generalfeldmarschall Paulus surrendered at Stalingrad and did not commit suicide.

Return to Game

Ernst Busch was promoted to field marshal the day after Paulus's surrender at Stalingrad.

Answer: True

Explanation: Ernst Busch was among the officers promoted to field marshal on January 31, 1943, the day following the surrender of Paulus's army at Stalingrad.

Return to Game

Erich von Manstein received the rank of Generalfeldmarschall for his role in the Siege of Leningrad.

Answer: False

Explanation: Erich von Manstein was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall in June 1942 for his successful command during the Siege of Sevastopol, not Leningrad.

Return to Game

Fedor von Bock, Wilhelm von Leeb, and Wilhelm List were relieved of duty in 1942 due to successes during Operation Barbarossa.

Answer: False

Explanation: Fedor von Bock, Wilhelm von Leeb, and Wilhelm List were relieved of duty in 1942 due to perceived failures during Operation Barbarossa, not successes.

Return to Game

Grand Admiral Erich Raeder was retired in January 1943 after a disagreement with Hitler about naval strategy.

Answer: True

Explanation: Grand Admiral Erich Raeder was retired in January 1943 following a significant dispute with Hitler concerning naval strategy.

Return to Game

Walter Model committed suicide to avoid capture and potential trial as a war criminal.

Answer: True

Explanation: Walter Model, facing the end of the war and potential capture, committed suicide to evade trial as a war criminal.

Return to Game

Erwin Rommel was executed for his involvement in the 20 July plot against Hitler.

Answer: False

Explanation: Erwin Rommel was implicated in the 20 July plot but was forced to commit suicide rather than being executed.

Return to Game

Robert Ritter von Greim was the last German field marshal appointed, receiving the rank in April 1945.

Answer: True

Explanation: Luftwaffe General Robert Ritter von Greim was the final German field marshal appointed, receiving the rank on April 25, 1945.

Return to Game

The Nazi Germany section of the infobox displays the rank flag for Generalfeldmarschall and shoulder board insignia from 1942-1945.

Answer: True

Explanation: The infobox section pertaining to Nazi Germany correctly displays the Generalfeldmarschall rank flag and shoulder board insignia utilized between 1942 and 1945.

Return to Game

When did Adolf Hitler first reintroduce the rank of Generalfeldmarschall into the Wehrmacht?

Answer: April 20, 1936

Explanation: Adolf Hitler reinstated the rank of Generalfeldmarschall into the Wehrmacht on April 20, 1936.

Return to Game

What higher rank was created in the Wehrmacht in July 1940?

Answer: Reichsmarschall

Explanation: In July 1940, the Wehrmacht saw the creation of a new, higher rank: Reichsmarschall, with Hermann Göring being the sole recipient.

Return to Game

How many officers did Hitler promote to Generalfeldmarschall or Grand Admiral during his regime?

Answer: 27

Explanation: Adolf Hitler promoted a total of 27 officers to the ranks of Generalfeldmarschall or Grand Admiral during his tenure.

Return to Game

On what date did Hitler promote nine Army generals and three air force officers to field marshal after the Battle of France?

Answer: July 19, 1940

Explanation: The significant promotion ceremony occurred on July 19, 1940, following the German victory in the Battle of France.

Return to Game

Which of the following was NOT among the nine Army generals promoted to field marshal on July 19, 1940?

Answer: Erich von Manstein

Explanation: Erich von Manstein was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall in June 1942, not on July 19, 1940. The others listed were among the nine Army generals promoted on that date.

Return to Game

Who was promoted to Generalfeldmarschall on January 30, 1943, the day before his army's surrender at Stalingrad?

Answer: Friedrich Paulus

Explanation: Friedrich Paulus received his promotion to Generalfeldmarschall on January 30, 1943, immediately preceding the surrender of his forces at Stalingrad.

Return to Game

What was Hitler's implied intention when promoting Paulus at Stalingrad?

Answer: To encourage him to fight to the death or commit suicide

Explanation: Hitler's promotion of Paulus was intended to pressure him into fighting until death or committing suicide, referencing the historical precedent that no German field marshal had ever been captured alive.

Return to Game

Which officers were promoted to field marshal the day after Paulus's surrender at Stalingrad?

Answer: Busch, Kleist, and Weichs

Explanation: Ernst Busch, Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist, and Maximilian von Weichs were promoted to field marshal on January 31, 1943, the day subsequent to Paulus's surrender.

Return to Game

For which successful campaign was Erich von Manstein promoted to Generalfeldmarschall in June 1942?

Answer: The Siege of Sevastopol

Explanation: Erich von Manstein's successful leadership in the Siege of Sevastopol led to his promotion to Generalfeldmarschall in June 1942.

Return to Game

Which Generalfeldmarschalls were relieved of duty in 1942 due to perceived failures during Operation Barbarossa?

Answer: Bock, Brauchitsch, Leeb, and List

Explanation: Fedor von Bock, Walther von Brauchitsch, Wilhelm von Leeb, and Wilhelm List were removed from their posts in 1942 due to perceived shortcomings in their performance during Operation Barbarossa.

Return to Game

Who was the last German field marshal appointed, and in which year?

Answer: Robert Ritter von Greim, 1945

Explanation: Robert Ritter von Greim, a Luftwaffe officer, received the final field marshal appointment in April 1945.

Return to Game

Rank Privileges and Financial Aspects

A privilege associated with the Generalfeldmarschall rank in Prussia included the right to report directly to the monarch.

Answer: True

Explanation: The rank of Generalfeldmarschall in the Prussian military system conferred several privileges, including the right to direct communication with the sovereign.

Return to Game

Generalfeldmarschalls in Nazi Germany received tax-free monthly fringe benefits ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 Reichsmark.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 1940, Nazi Germany introduced tax-free monthly fringe benefits for generals, including Generalfeldmarschalls, ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 Reichsmark.

Return to Game

Which of the following was NOT a privilege associated with the Generalfeldmarschall rank in the Prussian, Imperial German, and Wehrmacht armies?

Answer: The right to command all naval forces

Explanation: While Generalfeldmarschalls enjoyed privileges such as potential ennoblement, a constant escort, and equal protocol status with cabinet ministers, the right to command all naval forces was not among them.

Return to Game

What were the approximate monthly tax-free fringe benefits introduced for generals in Nazi Germany in 1940?

Answer: 2,000 to 4,000 Reichsmark

Explanation: In 1940, Nazi Germany instituted monthly tax-free fringe benefits for generals, ranging between 2,000 and 4,000 Reichsmark.

Return to Game

Post-War and Modern Context

Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist and Hugo Sperrle were retired in 1945.

Answer: False

Explanation: Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist and Hugo Sperrle were both retired in 1944, not 1945.

Return to Game

East Germany's National People's Army created the rank of Marshal of the German Democratic Republic, but it was never awarded.

Answer: True

Explanation: The National People's Army of East Germany did establish the rank of Marshal of the German Democratic Republic in 1982; however, this rank was never conferred upon any individual.

Return to Game

The ranks of Generalfeldmarschall and Großadmiral still exist in modern Germany's Bundeswehr.

Answer: False

Explanation: The ranks of Generalfeldmarschall and Großadmiral are no longer extant in the modern German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr.

Return to Game

In peacetime, the civilian Federal Minister of Defence holds supreme command authority over the Bundeswehr.

Answer: True

Explanation: According to Article 65a of the Basic Law, the Federal Minister of Defence exercises supreme command authority over the Bundeswehr during peacetime.

Return to Game

The rank of Marshal of the Russian Federation was reintroduced in 1993.

Answer: True

Explanation: Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the rank of Marshal of the Russian Federation was indeed reintroduced in 1993.

Return to Game

The rank of General-Feldmarschall was abolished in the Russian Empire in 1917.

Answer: True

Explanation: The rank of General-Feldmarschall ceased to exist in the Russian Empire in 1917.

Return to Game

Birhanu Jula was promoted to Field Marshal General in Ethiopia in 2022.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 2022, Birhanu Jula attained the rank of Field Marshal General in Ethiopia, marking a recent instance of this high military title.

Return to Game

What is the status of the Generalfeldmarschall rank in modern Germany's Bundeswehr?

Answer: It no longer exists.

Explanation: The rank of Generalfeldmarschall is obsolete and does not exist within the contemporary structure of the German Bundeswehr.

Return to Game

Who holds supreme command authority over the Bundeswehr in wartime, according to the Basic Law?

Answer: The Federal Chancellor

Explanation: In times of declared State of Defence during wartime, the supreme command authority over the Bundeswehr transfers to the Federal Chancellor, as stipulated by the Basic Law.

Return to Game