Youngest Allied Generals and Field Marshals

[Galahad]

ONE of the youngest was Britain's Brigadier James Hill, of the 3rd Parachute Brigade/6th Airborne Division, who jumped into Normandy on D-Day. He was 33 then. He's also the only surviving Allied general officer from D-Day, and one of the few--maybe the last--of WW 2's general officers.

Here's a pic of him today--well, in June, when he became the 2nd Brit to have a statue emplaced at Normandy:
http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/gallery ... ay_06.html

Here's a pic of him in his prime:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/war/wwtwo/ ... o_08.shtml

[genstab]

I didn't think a WW2 British Brigadier was considered a general officer.
Best regards,
Genstab

[Galahad]

In Britain he was/is considered a senior colonel--"Brigadier" replaced the rank of Colonel Commandant in 1928. But elsewhere a British Brigadier is considered the equivilent of a Brigadier General and was/is given the perks of such.

Technically he's not a general, but he's the equivilent of the lowest grade of flag officer.

[genstab]

As a Navy Commodore (in the US only a wartime rank) was considered a flag officer but not an admiral while the US Army has always had the equivalent rank of Brigadier General, even in peacetime. I wish someone would knock the services' heads together and make them conform on stuff like this. The Reagan Administration couldn't even do it- they tried introducing the rank of "Commodore Admiral". Didn't float- the democratic US Navy is already too hidebound and traditional. That kind of thinking is how you eventually lose battles.
Another good example is the oak leaves ("scrambled eggs") worn on the visor of Navy dress hats for the rank of Commander and above. What's the Army do? Institutes them for Major and above- one rank lower than Commander. Bunch of kids one-upping each other. Congress should standardize such things but they're too impressed by athe military.
It's a funny world if you maintain your sense of humor.

Best regards,
Genstab
(former NCO)_

[Galahad]

You have to remember than when someone is elected to Congress they get a reserve commission if they want it, as Lieutenant Colonel or Commander, I believe.

Though I won't swear those are the ranks the services offer as candy.....they might be one grade lower.

Anyway, that tends to keep Congress from screwing around too much with traditions.

[genstab]

I'm not sure they still can serve as reserve officers- thought I read about it being discontinued years back because they were drawing pay from two different branches of the government. Besides, how do we have a Congress if they're off playing soldier in a national emergency when legislation needs to be passed? It blurs the civilian supremacy over the military which is an important part of western constitutional governments.

Best regards,
Genstab

[Galahad]

Sure they can.

"Standby Reserve

The Standby Reserve are reservists or members of the Guard who maintain their military affiliation, but are not members of the Ready Reserve.

Normally these reservists are key federal employees, such as senators, congressmen and senior agency officials. They can also be civilians in the defense industry whose employers designate them as crucial to the national security.

This status allows them to maintain their rank and standing in the reserves while serving the government in other ways."

http://djsharpe.tripod.com/TheUSArmedForces/id11.html

[genstab]

My personal opinion is it ought to be abolished. I should learn not to have personal opinions on a Forum like this and stick to historical facts. But whatever. If we differ, it's with intellectual honesty

Best regards,
Genstab

[JPK]

Hello


French général Chaban-Delmas. Born 7.3.1915 was général de brigade in 1944 so he was 29 old

Regards

JPK

[Ken McCanliss]

Youngest WWII British General: Sir Archibald James Halkett Cassels (1907-1996), son of General Sir Robert Archibald Cassels, C-in-C India. The younger Cassels became a Field Marshal in 1968.

Last surving WWII British General: George Philip Bradley 'Pip' Roberts (1906-1997).

[taurus]

Hello.
I would like to add to the list for the USSR

Lieutenant General of Aviation Kravchenko Grigory Panteleevich (he received the rank of lieutenant general at the age of 28, bypassing the rank of major general).
Aviation Major General Chernykh Sergey Aleksandrovich (28).
Aviation Major General Yevseviev Ivan Ivanovich (29).
Major General of Aviation Khryukin Timofey Timofeevich (30).
Major General Puteiko Mikhail Konstantinovich (31) (1913 - 1945)
Major General Naumov Mikhail Ivanovich (received the rank of captain at the age of 34).