Generalstabsarzt

{{Lang|de|Generalstabsarzt}} and {{Lang|de|Admiralstabsarzt}} are the second highest ranks of the Joint Medical Service of the Bundeswehr. Normally the deputy inspector of the medical service ({{Lang|de|Stellvertretender Inspekteur des Sanitätsdienstes}}) is assigned this rank, as is the commander of the Bundeswehr Medical Academy.

Military surgeons with the rank {{Lang|de|Generalstabsarzt}} are addressed "Herr Generalarzt" if male, or "Frau Generalarzt" if female. Naval military surgeons with the rank {{Lang|de|Admiralstabsarzt}} are addressed "Herr Admiralarzt" or "Frau Admiralarzt", depending on the gender of the person addressed.

Rank insignia are modified forms of the shoulder straps for major generals, two golden stars surrounded by golden oak leaves, with the addition of a rod of Asclepius. This career insignia ({{Lang|de|Laufbahnabzeichen}}), as symbol of medical status or course of studies, is placed above the stars. In the navy, the career insignia is placed three centimeters above the cuff stripes on both sleeves and on the shoulder straps between the stripes of the rank and the button.

File:WMacht arabesque OF6-9-vert 1945.jpg as used until 1944Afterwards specialist general officers wore branch-specific colours; the background being cornflower blue for medical and crimson for veterinary services.]]

{{Lang|de|Generalstabsarzt}} of the Wehrmacht was comparable to the {{Lang|de|Generalleutnant}}, as well as to the {{Lang|de|Gruppenführer}} and {{Lang|de|Generalleutnant}} of the Waffen-SS.

In line with the Reich's salary order ({{Lang|de|Reichsbesoldungsordnung}}) and appendices to the salary law of the Reich ({{Lang|de|Besoldungsgesetz des Deutschen Reiches}}) of 1927Besoldungsgesetz vom 16. Dezember 1927 (RGBl. I …, C Soldaten S. 391), changes 1937 to 1940 (with changes 1937–1940), the comparative ranks were as follows:

• {{Lang|de|Generalleutnant}} in the Heer and Luftwaffe
• {{Lang|de|Vizeadmiral}} in the Kriegsmarine
• {{Lang|de|Generalstabsarzt}} in the medical service of the Wehrmacht, from 1934 on
• {{Lang|de|Generalstabsveterinär}} in the veterinarian service of the Wehrmacht, from 1934 on

Rank designations of the {{Lang|de|Kriegsmarine}} as on 30 March 1934 are contained in the table below.

Image:Generalstabsarzt Dr. Grimm.jpg

In Prussia and Bavaria surgeon general of the army ({{Lang|de|Generalstabsarzt der Armee}}) was an appointment and the official title of the head of the entire military medical service. Officers assigned to this staff position could rise in rank up to {{Lang|de|Generalleutnant}} (OF-7).

Until 1856 the {{Lang|de|Generalstabsarzt}} of the Prussian Army could be promoted to colonel ({{Lang|de|Oberst}}). From then on he could rise to {{Lang|de|Generalmajor}}, and from 1873 to {{Lang|de|Generalleutnant}}. At the same time the {{Lang|de|Generalstabsarzt}} was chief of the medical department of the Prussian Ministry of War and chief of the medical corps. He was also superior to a {{Lang|de|Generalarzt}}.

Equivalent authority, mandate and competence was with the {{Lang|de|Generalstabsarzt}} of the Imperial German Navy. He was chief of the medical division in the German Imperial Naval Office and chief of the navy's medical corps as well.

File:Felix Kraus Litho.jpg

In the Common Army there were two regular {{Lang|de|Generalstabsarzt}} staff positions established. One was chief of the medical division of the {{Lang|de|Reichskriegsministerium}} and chief of the military surgeon officer corps. The second was Praeses of the military medical committee. This rank was comparable to the {{Lang|de|Generalmajor}} of the Common Army.

In some cases a surgeon general of a corps ({{Lang|de|Generalkommando}}) could be promoted to the rank of {{Lang|de|Generalstabsarzt}}.

• Johann Traugott Dreyer von der Iller (1804-1871), {{Lang|de|Generalstabsarzt}}
• Felix von Kraus (1805-1875), {{Lang|de|Generalstabsarzt und Sanitätsreferent}}

• Neumann, Alexander: ''Arzttum ist immer Kämpfertum - Die Heeressanitätsinspektion und das Amt "Chef des Wehrmachtsanitätswesens" im Zweiten Weltkrieg (1939-1945), 2005. {{ISBN|3-7700-1618-1}}
• Süß, Winfried: Der "Völkskörper" im Krieg: Gesundheitspolitik, Gesundheitsverhältnisse und Krankenmord im nationalsozialistischen Deutschland 1939-1945, 2003. {{ISBN|3-486-56719-5}}

{{Military ranks by country}}

Category:Military ranks of Germany

Category:Military ranks of Austria

Category:Austro-Hungarian Army

Category:Two-star officers of the Bundeswehr

Category:Two-star officers of Nazi Germany

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