Johannes Albrecht Blaskowitz was a German Generaloberst during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. After joining the Imperial German Army in 1901, Blaskowitz served throughout World War I, where he earned an Iron Cross for bravery.
Blaskowitz in the 1930s
Blaskowitz visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Prague with German and Czechoslovak officers, 27 March 1939
Tadeusz Kutrzeba surrenders the Polish capital of Warsaw to Blaskowitz (left), 27 September 1939
Blaskowitz (right) with Rundstedt during the victory parade in Warsaw, 1939
A Generaloberst was the second-highest general officer rank in the German Reichswehr and Wehrmacht, the Austro-Hungarian Common Army, the East German National People's Army and in their respective police services. The rank was equal to a four-star full general but below a general field marshal. The rank was equivalent to a Generaladmiral in the Kriegsmarine until 1945 or to a Flottenadmiral in the Volksmarine until 1990. It was the highest ordinary military rank and the highest military rank awarded in peacetime; the higher rank of general field marshal was awarded only in wartime by the head of state. In general, a Generaloberst had the same privileges as a general field marshal.
Rudolf Stöger-Steiner von Steinstätten here as Generaloberst
Frederick I, Grand Duke of Baden as Prussian Generaloberst (with the special rank GFM)