Top Ten Best World War II Generals
Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel, popularly known as the Desert Fox, was a German field marshal of World War II. He worked under Adolf Hitler's Third Reich as a leading general and gained fame from his battles in North Africa. Actually, he was one of the German military leaders on D-Day, but the Germans were tricked by the Allies into believing that they would attack at a different location. Contrary to popular belief, he wasn't directly involved in the assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler. He was only guilty of not telling the German High Command about it when he learned of it, as many of his friends were involved in the conspiracy.
Rommel was by far the greatest general of World War II with his humane treatment of his prisoners and his superb fighting skills. He was unlike many of the other German leaders.
Fritz Erich Georg Eduard von Manstein (24 November 1887 – 9 June 1973) was a German commander of the Wehrmacht, Nazi Germany's armed forces during the Second World War. He attained the rank of field marshal. The most brilliant action in all of World War II was the win over France in that short time, and he came up with the plan. So, is there anything more needed to be said?
Best general of World War II, period! Saved German collapse in early 1943 on the Eastern Front. Was the main figure responsible for the collapse of France and taking of Sevastopol. He single-handedly saved Germany from defeat for at least a year by his counterstrike at Kharkov.
Manstein was a master of all phases of warfare: offense, defense, siege operations, and counteroffensives. The German invasion of France in 1940 was Manstein's plan. The Allies, particularly the Soviets, were fortunate that Hitler sidelined him for the last year and a half of the war.
George Smith Patton Jr. was a General of the United States Army who commanded the U.S. Seventh Army in the Mediterranean theater of World War II, and the U.S. Third Army in France and Germany following the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. He held more military knowledge in his pinky than most other generals had in their whole body. Brilliant and hard as a rock. He's my choice.
Not sure about the overall #1 military WWII figure (ignorant of Nazis and Russians as well as the Allies) but he is my choice.
The fearless, dual-pistol-toting lunatic you never want to do battle against.
Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov (1 December 1896 – 18 June 1974) was a Soviet general and Marshal of the Soviet Union. He also served as Chief of the General Staff, Minister of Defence, and was a member of the Presidium of the Communist Party (later Politburo). During the Second World War, Zhukov oversaw... read more The Red Army was more responsible for the defeat of Germany than any other force. Marshal Zhukov was the man in charge.
He was the greatest commander during WW2. He was a person who saved Moscow from defeat. He commanded the Western Front during the Battle of Rzhev and played a major role in taking over Rzhev. He and Vasilevsky made Operation Uranus, encircling the 9th army. Before the end of the war, he played a major role in WW2's decisive battles. I don't know who put Patton in first place here.
The man responsible for Pearl Harbor.
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was an American politician and general who served as the 34th President of the United States from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. Cool-headed guy that had a lot of egos to contend with but did a great job.
This man kept the magnificent egos in check. Being a Libra allowed him to do this.
This guy was the main reason for German victory in Northern Europe and the Eastern Front. He was the only German general to criticize Hitler. Sadly, later he was removed and fired. If Hitler had listened to him, we might be learning different history.
The best general in WWII. Dismissed because of saving his soldiers.
The builder of German panzer forces, the father of Blitzkrieg.
Douglas MacArthur (January 26, 1880 – April 5, 1964) was an American Field Marshall and Five-Star General. He was Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930's and played a significant role in the World War II Pacific Theatre. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the Philippines... read more Douglas MacArthur was the best general, hero of 3 wars. His dedication to the US and the Philippines allowed winning the war against Japan. He achieved remarkable success in the Pacific Theater (1941-45) despite his inadequate supplies and limited numbers of troops and ships. He is unmistakably the greatest American strategist.
The great U.S. general who was fired.
He made the Gustav Line around Rome, protecting Northern Italy from the Allies.
He was able to maintain and rebuild an army when Britain stood alone against Germany et al., the Russians out of the picture, and no American army. That took more courage than exhibited by any US general.
He led lots of fights in Europe. The best!
Played a key role in both Moscow and Stalingrad. Was responsible for the victory at Kursk and destroyed the Heeresgruppe Mitte, in the to this day greatest defeat of German armed forces.
Fiery, aggressive, my type of general. Should be up there with Rommel.
The man saved the Soviets. He was a serial winner.
Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle (22 November 1890 – 9 November 1970) was a French general and statesman. He was the leader of Free France (1940–44) and the head of the Provisional Government of the French Republic (1944–46). In 1958, he founded the Fifth Republic and was elected as the 18th... read more
Few could have done more with what they had. He used terrain to his advantage and made excellent use of ambush warfare. He was also good at organization and wider strategy. For example, by shifting his reserves from one front to another during the Winter War, he was able to counter multiple different Soviet forces and defeat each in turn.
Very smart in using submarines to hold off the Japanese while the Navy was rebuilding.
He was commander of the Pacific fleet. How is he not on the list?
If he is the one that won at Midway, then he deserves to be on the list.
A man who fought a powerful enemy with the last of all the supplies and reflected on his mistakes made. He was able to beat the Japanese at their own game yet is very rarely mentioned.
The "Forgotten General" of the "Forgotten Army". Took over an army near Siam, and when he was removed from command, the troops rioted. He also fought the Japanese and Siamese out of Indochina and Siam.
Tactically excellent in the Battle of France. Strategically excellent in the rest of the war. Without him, America would have persuaded Churchill to invade France by 1942 or 1943. Allies lose World War II. Stalemate in Europe. Adolf wins.
He defeated 150,000 Italians with 30,000 men, got captured, was released and then returned to a corps command in Europe. A man who used combined arms to full effect.
He would have taken Italian North Africa had Churchill not pulled away his already small army, and he was beaten and captured by Rommel while outnumbered so not much of a minus there.
He was the most skilled marshal of the Soviet Union. He was one of the only ones who actually accomplished favorable casualty rates and one of the only ones who won while being outnumbered. He defeated Balck, the most brilliant German commander and the second-best commander of the war, while being outnumbered.
Heinrich Himmler was a German dictator, and a leading member of the Nazi party. Himmler was one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany and one of the people most directly responsible for the Holocaust.