Field marshal facts for kids
A Field Marshal is the highest rank a soldier can achieve in many armies around the world. It's a very special and important position, usually given to generals who have shown amazing leadership, especially during a war. Because it's such a high rank, only a few people ever become a Field Marshal.
The idea of a Field Marshal started a long time ago, in the Middle Ages. The word originally meant "horse-servant" or "keeper of the king's horses" in Old German. Over time, it grew to mean a high-ranking official. Field Marshals often carry a special, fancy stick called a baton as a symbol of their rank. This baton is mostly for show now, but it's a very old tradition.
Some countries have similar top ranks for their air forces, like "marshal of the air force." Navies have their own highest ranks, such as "fleet admiral" or "admiral of the fleet."
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Field Marshal Ranks Around the World
Afghanistan
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In Afghanistan, some important figures have been given the rank of Field Marshal. These include Sardar Shah Wali Khan, who was an uncle to a king and a president. More recently, Mohammed Fahim in 2004 and Abdul Rashid Dostum in 2020 were also made honorary marshals.
Australia
Australia has had three Field Marshals. The first was Sir William Birdwood in 1925. The second was Sir Thomas Blamey, who was the first Australian-born soldier to reach this rank in 1950. His special Field Marshal's baton is on display at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The third person to become an Australian Field Marshal is Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who received the rank in 1954.
Bahrain
In Bahrain, the top military leader, Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, holds the rank of Field Marshal. He is the commander-in-chief of the Bahrain Defence Force.
Brazil
When Brazil became independent from Portugal in 1822, they kept the rank of marechal de campo. This rank was later changed to general de brigada. Today, the rank of Marechal is the highest rank in the Brazilian Army, but it is only given during wartime for incredible achievements. The Brazilian Air Force has a similar top rank called Air Marshal.
China
In ancient China, leaders gave different titles to their top generals. A very similar title was Yuan Shuai, or grand field marshal. One famous general with this title was Yue Fei from the Song Dynasty. After the People's Republic of China was formed in 1949, 10 military commanders were promoted to Marshal in 1955. However, this rank was stopped in 1965 and hasn't been used since.
Egypt
Egypt has had several Field Marshals. Currently, two are still serving: Mohamed Hussein Tantawi and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. Other past Field Marshals include Abdel Hakim Amer and Ahmad Ismail Ali, who were important military commanders.
Finland
Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim was promoted to Field Marshal in Finland in 1933. Later, in 1942, he received the even higher honor of Marshal of Finland. This wasn't a new military rank, but a special title to recognize his great service.
France
In old France, the rank of maréchal de camp was a brigade command rank, meaning it was for leading a group of soldiers called a brigade. This rank was replaced in 1793 by the rank of brigade general. It's important not to confuse maréchal de camp with Marshal of France, which is the highest honor in the French Army.
German-speaking Lands
The rank of Generalfeldmarschall (which means "general field marshal") was the highest general rank in many German states, including Prussia and later Germany. In the Austrian Empire, they used the rank Feldmarschall. This rank was given to top generals for their military achievements.
Greece
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In Greece, the title Stratarches means "Ruler of the Army." It's a very old title for military commanders. In modern times, it's used for the rank of Field Marshal. The Kings of Greece held this rank, and only one professional officer, Alexandros Papagos, was given this title in 1949. He earned it for leading Greece to victory in World War II and the Greek Civil War. This rank is no longer used in Greece today.
India
Field Marshal is the highest rank in the Indian Army. It's a special rank given for ceremonial purposes or during wartime. So far, only two Indian officers have become Field Marshals: Kodandera Madappa Cariappa in 1986 and Sam Manekshaw in 1973.
Libya
Khalifa Haftar was the first person to receive the rank of Field Marshal in Libya. He was given this rank in 2016 after his forces successfully took control of oil ports during a military operation.
Pakistan
Ayub Khan was the only Field Marshal in Pakistan's history. He was the second president of Pakistan and the first Pakistani commander-in-chief of the army.
Philippines
Douglas MacArthur, a US Army General, was the first and only Field Marshal in the history of the Philippine Army. He was given this rank in 1936 by President Manuel L. Quezon. His job was to help create the Philippines' national army.
Portugal
In the Portuguese Army, the rank of marechal de campo was created in 1762. It was a junior general officer rank. Portugal also had the ranks of marechal-general and marechal do Exército, which were the highest ranks, usually for army commanders-in-chief. Later, marechal-general became an honorary title for the Monarch.
Romania
Mareșal is the highest rank in the Romanian Armed Forces. A general or admiral can only be given this rank during wartime for amazing military achievements. The President of Romania bestows it, and the Supreme Council of National Defense must confirm it.
Serbia and Yugoslavia
In Serbia and Yugoslavia, a similar high rank was called Vojvoda. This rank had some similarities to Field Marshal ranks in other countries. It was the highest rank in the armies of the Kingdom of Serbia and Kingdom of Yugoslavia until World War II. It was created in 1901 and given only during war for special military contributions.
Sri Lanka
Field Marshal is the highest rank in the Sri Lanka Army. It's a ceremonial rank. Sarath Fonseka is the first and only Sri Lankan officer to hold this rank. He was promoted in 2015.
Thailand
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In the Royal Thai Army, the rank of Chom Phon was created in 1888. Until 1910, only the king held this rank. Now, the rank is not actively used.
Turkey
In the Turkish Armed Forces, the highest rank is mareşal. This rank can only be given by the National Assembly. It's awarded to a general who successfully leads an army, navy, or air force in at least three battles or on different battlefronts at the same time, achieving victory. Only two people have received this rank: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who founded modern Turkey, and his Chief of Staff Fevzi Çakmak. Both earned it for their successes in the Turkish War of Independence.
Uganda
Field Marshal Idi Amin was a military leader and the third president of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. He joined the British army in 1946. After Uganda became independent, he became a major general and commander of the Ugandan Army. He took power in 1971 and later promoted himself to Field Marshal while he was the head of state.
United Kingdom
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, a very famous British general, held the rank of Field Marshal in eight different armies! Nine of his special Field Marshal batons are on display in Apsley House.
United States
The United States Armed Forces does not use the rank of Field Marshal. However, General Douglas MacArthur was made a Field Marshal of the Philippine Army in 1936, even while he was still a US Army officer. In 1944, the US created a five-star rank called "general of the army", which is similar to a Field Marshal in other countries. George Marshall was the first to receive this rank.
Zaire
On June 17, 1983, Mobutu Sese Seko promoted himself to the rank of Field Marshal in Zaire.
Images for kids
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(Ethiopian Army)
See also
In Spanish: Mariscal de campo para niños
