Vojvoda (Serbia and Yugoslavia)

Vojvoda Војвода / Vojvoda
Rank flag of a Vojvoda from 1929.
Insignia of the shoulder strap used from 1901 until 1918 and from 1918 until 1945.
Country	Kingdom of Serbia  Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Service branch	Royal Serbian Army  Royal Yugoslav Army
Rank	Field marshal
Formation	9th century (historical) January 12, 1900
Abolished	April 24, 1946
Next lower rank	Army general

Vojvoda (Serbian Cyrillic: Војвода lit. 'war-leader') from old Serbian was the highest rank in the army of the Kingdom of Serbia and Kingdom of Yugoslavia from 1901 until end of Second World War in 1945. It has roots from the medieval term Voivode used during medieval Kingdom, Empire and Principality of Serbia. Vojvoda^[1] in medieval and later principality of Serbia had similar meaning as Duke title in other feudal states as it was military and noble title. In modern military terms the rank of Vojvoda is comparable with Field marshal and Generalfeldmarschall but since it can be an honorable title it is not always a military rank of a commissioned military officer.

It was first created with the passing of the law on the Organization of the Army of the Kingdom of Serbia in 1901 and later confirmed in Kingdom of Yugoslavia laws on the Organization of the Army and Navy from 1923 and 1929.^[2] Law from 1901 was passed on the suggestion of Lieutenant colonel (later Divisional General) Miloš Vasić who was Minister of the Defense at the time. The rank was awarded only during the war for Particular military contributions of top generals.

In the Balkan Wars and World War I this title was used to designate the highest military rank in Serbian Army. The first Vojvoda was promoted by the Great military decree of the Kingdom of Serbia on October 20, 1912. Only four people ever officially held that rank: Radomir Putnik (in 1912), Stepa Stepanović (middle 1914), Živojin Mišić (late 1914) and Petar Bojović (1918). Before this rank was introduced, the highest rank in the Kingdom of Serbia was Army general. After Second World War, the newly formed Yugoslav People's Army stopped using Royal ranking system, so this rank ceased to exist.^[3]