Grand Admiral
:
For the fictional rank, see Grand Admiral (Star Wars). |
German Grand Admiral Sleeve Insignia |
Grand Admiral is a historic
naval rank, generally the highest used by any particular country. The most notable use of the rank was in the
German Navy (
Großadmiral), where the position was the equivalent of an
Admiral of the Fleet or a United States
Fleet Admiral.
World War I
 |
Grand Admiral Shoulder Insignia |
Before and during the
World War I, the following men were made Grand Admirals of the German
Kaiserliche Marine (Imperial Navy):
 |
Alfred von Tirpitz in the uniform of a Grand Admiral |
Before and during
World War II, the following men were made Grand Admirals of the German
Kriegsmarine:
*
Erich Raeder was made a Grand Admiral on 1 April 1939
*
Karl Dönitz, commander of the U-Boat Fleet and later successor to
Adolf Hitler, was made a Grand Admiral on
January 30 ,
1943 after succeeding Raeder as the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine.
The Kriegsmarine also used the rank of
General Admiral (Generaladmiral) which was considered
senior to a full Admiral, but junior to a Grand Admiral.
