General Admiral

In the German Kriegsmarine, of the Second World War, General Admiral was a rank considered senior to a full Admiral, but junior to a Grand Admiral.

The sleeve insignia for a General Admiral was the same as a regular Admiral, being that of a thick rank stripe below three regular stripes. General Admirals wore a third pip on their shoulder boards to differentiate between regular Admirals. The German Army and Air Force equivalent of General Admiral was the rank Colonel General.

In 1943, a directive was issued that should the Oberbefehlshaber des Kreigsmarine (Commander of the Navy) hold the rank of General Admiral, then the sleeve insignia for a Grand Admiral could be worn, while still wearing the shoulder boards of a General Admiral.

A similar practice was adopted in the German Army, allowing Colonel Generals to wear four pips on a shoulder board when engaged in duties befitting a Field Marshal.

The rank of General Admiral was first given to the future Grand Admiral Erich Raeder on 20 April1936.

Other holders of the title were:

It it interesting to note that Karl Dönitz was made Grand Admiral without becoming a General Admiral first.