Marshal of the GDR

Taz · 09-02-2004, 04:36 PM

a rank that, nobody achieved

Since the foundation of the national people's army (NVA) of the GDR in 1956 there were four general grades:

- Major-General
- Lieutenant - General
- Colonel - General
- Army General.

The grade Army general was reserved exclusively for the respective minister for national defense.

The rank of army general had:

Willi Stoph, minister for national defense from 19th. January 1956 – 1960.

Heinz Hoffmann, minister for national defense from 14th July 1960 to 1985.

Heinz Kessler, minister for national defense, 3rd December to 1989.

By order of the council of state of the German democratic republic (GDR) from the 25th March 1982 ( law sheet of the GDR (GBl)., part I, No. 12, p. 230 3GBl., part I, a. n.p) the Navy admiral who was to be equal to the Army General was introduced and also the rank of a Marshal of the GDR.

In the law sheet it says in addition:

The highest military grade in the German democratic republic is a Marshal of the GDR. The appointment Marshal of the GDR occurs in the defensive state or for unusual military achievements by order of the Chairman of the council of state of the German democratic republic.

This order came into effect on the 1st May, 1982.
In preparation of the introduction of the new rank 3 draft drawings and draft patterns were made. The draft drawings show a marshal's star which would have been worn on a red neck ribbon. These closely resemble the Soviet Marshal Stars.

Eddie.

Here are the 3 draft drawings, one of which would have been the Marshal of the GDR Star.

Christophe · 09-03-2004, 01:07 PM

Eddie,

Good information.
Is it possible to indicate us what is the source of the drawings ?

Many thanks in advance.

Ch.

charlet · 09-03-2004, 01:17 PM

these are the researches performed by Klaus-Ulrich Keubke (author of the 2 known editions of books about east german uniformology) aren't they?

Taz · 09-03-2004, 01:28 PM

Hi Christophe & Sebastian,

I found this article whilst looking for something totally different, by chance.
The original article was in German from Klaus H Feder so I translated it for our reference. The pictures were part of this article I hadn't seen any pics of the marshal Star before and thought they might be of interest.

Eddie.

Christophe · 09-03-2004, 01:32 PM

Eddie,
Many thanks. :)

Hi Sebastien ! Hope everything is fine. ;)

Cheers.

Ch.

Christophe · 09-03-2004, 02:49 PM

Excellent, I got it : "Marschall der DDR - ein Dienstgrad, den keiner erreichte", from Klaus Feder, in "Militaria 5/2002".
Klaus-Ulrich Keubke is mentioned as one of the sources of the author.
A great article.
Thanks again, Eddie.

Ch.

09-03-2004, 01:17 PM	#3
charlet Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Germany Age: 49 Posts: 791	these are the researches performed by Klaus-Ulrich Keubke (author of the 2 known editions of books about east german uniformology) aren't they? __________________ Sebastien "a spectre haunts Europe, the spectre of communism" (a well-known german bearbed)

09-03-2004, 01:28 PM	#4
Taz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Herford, Germany Age: 65 Posts: 2,152	Hi Christophe & Sebastian, I found this article whilst looking for something totally different, by chance. The original article was in German from Klaus H Feder so I translated it for our reference. The pictures were part of this article I hadn't seen any pics of the marshal Star before and thought they might be of interest. Eddie. __________________ Everybody's equal, But some more than others! "Those who come to us with the sword - will be killed by the sword" - Alexander Nevski

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Bad 'Marshal' on E	DougD	Russian Federation Uniforms	10	04-22-2005 01:18 AM
Please help with ID of Air Marshal!	Dave	Soviet Uniforms, Hats And Insignia	8	12-21-2004 11:36 AM
M1945 Marshal	DougD	Army Uniforms And Insignia	5	10-31-2003 02:53 AM

09-03-2004, 01:07 PM	#2
Christophe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Paris - Berlin Age: 61 Posts: 1,208	Eddie, Good information. Is it possible to indicate us what is the source of the drawings ? Many thanks in advance. Ch.

09-03-2004, 01:32 PM	#5
Christophe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Paris - Berlin Age: 61 Posts: 1,208	Eddie, Many thanks. :) Hi Sebastien ! Hope everything is fine. ;) Cheers. Ch.

09-03-2004, 02:49 PM	#6
Christophe Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Paris - Berlin Age: 61 Posts: 1,208	Excellent, I got it : "Marschall der DDR - ein Dienstgrad, den keiner erreichte", from Klaus Feder, in "Militaria 5/2002". Klaus-Ulrich Keubke is mentioned as one of the sources of the author. A great article. Thanks again, Eddie. Ch.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)