Top 10 Best World War II Generals

1. Erwin Rommel

   

   Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel, popularly known as the Desert Fox, was a German field marshal during World War II. He served in the armed forces of Nazi Germany and gained fame for leading German and Italian forces during the North African Campaign. Rommel developed a reputation among his troops and British... read more

   His tactical masterclasses in one of the least-supplied areas of WWII, as well as his pushes to the coast of France to complete the Dunkirk encirclement, stopped campaigns right in their tracks.

   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.

2. George Patton

   

   George Smith Patton Jr. was a general in the United States Army. He commanded the U.S. Seventh Army in the Mediterranean theater of World War II. He later led the U.S. Third Army in France and Germany following the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944.

   Can't compare Patton to Eisenhower. Eisenhower had a different job as a political commander. Patton was the best battlefield commander. Old Blood and Guts was aggressive and overwhelmed the enemy.

   Montgomery cost lives by being hesitant. MacArthur threw men at guns just to die so he could fulfill his promise to the Philippines. He was so ready to invade Japan at any cost. Patton saved lives by being aggressive. That is the same reason Lincoln stuck with U.S. Grant in the Civil War.

   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.

3. Erich von Manstein

   

   Fritz Erich Georg Eduard von Manstein (November 24, 1887 - June 9, 1973) was a German commander in the Wehrmacht, Nazi Germany's armed forces during World War II. He attained the rank of field marshal and played leading roles in major campaigns, including the invasion of France and Operation Barbarossa... read more

   Masterminded several extremely effective counterattacks against the Soviets that bought the Germans valuable time and helped them regain the strategic initiative in early 1943.

   Honestly, if Hitler did not interfere in the tactics of any general or field marshal, Germany has a chance of winning. If not, the Allies most likely liberate Poland, especially with Erich on the Eastern Front. Too bad he got sidelined by Hitler.

   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.

4. Georgy Zhukov

   

   Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov (December 1, 1896 - June 18, 1974) was a Soviet general and Marshal of the Soviet Union. He served as Chief of the General Staff and Minister of Defence and was a member of the Presidium of the Communist Party, later known as the Politburo. During the Second World War, Zhukov... read more

   One of the greatest generals of all time. His role is often heavily underestimated in the West. Zhukov masterminded the Soviet victory at Khalkhin Gol, the defence of Moscow, played a major role in the counterattack at Stalingrad, and led the offensive on Berlin. He helped carry the Red Army from Stalingrad to the heart of Germany while in command of his fronts. A pivotal commander.

   I think if Zhukov had been purged, the Germans would have at least captured Moscow. He was one of the ones to realize what the Germans were planning and defended places like Moscow and Stalingrad accordingly.

5. Dwight Eisenhower

   

   Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was an American politician and military leader who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army during World War II and served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe.... read more

   For the most part, he was a magnanimous leader. He inspired his troops to do their utmost.

   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.

6. Heinz Guderian

   

   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.

   An extremely adept panzer officer who was handicapped by Hitler's actions.

   The best general in WWII. Dismissed because of saving his soldiers.

7. Wilhelm Keitel

   

8. Douglas MacArthur

   

   Douglas MacArthur (January 26, 1880 - April 5, 1964) was an American General of the Army and field marshal in the Philippine Army. He served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1930 to 1935 and played a major role in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor... 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.

9. Bernard Montgomery

   

   To successfully win against Rommel is a good enough point already. The turning point in North Africa was either this or the siege of Tobruk.

   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!

10. Albert Kesselring

    

    He made the Gustav Line around Rome, protecting Northern Italy from the Allies.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Matthew Ridgway

    
12. ?

    George Marshall

    
The Contenders

13. Alfred Jodl

    

14. Omar Bradley

    

    A slightly cautious man who led from the front.

15. Konstantin Rokossovsky

    EXTREMELY underrated general. Rokossovsky was perhaps the greatest strategic mind of any country in the Second World War. He helped to defend Moscow and Stalingrad and won victories at Kursk, in Poland, and on the Dnieper. Most famous of all, he was responsible for one of the main thrusts of Operation Bagration, which completely obliterated the German Army Group Centre and remains one of the greatest defeats of German forces ever. His grasp of armoured warfare was rivalled only by E. von Manstein and H. Guderian on the German side, as well as M. Katukov and P. Rotmistrov on the Soviet side.

    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.

16. Charles de Gaulle

    

    Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle (November 22, 1890 - November 9, 1970) was a French general and statesman. He was the leader of Free France from 1940 to 1944 and served as head of the Provisional Government of the French Republic from 1944 to 1946.... read more

17. Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim

    

    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.

    Unironically an old badass who became the figurehead of Finland for a reason. His skill allowed Finland to repel the Soviets as well as they did.

18. Henry Arnold

19. Walter Model

    Nicknamed "the Führer's Fireman" for his prowess in defensive combat. He salvaged many disastrous situations on both the Eastern and Western Fronts.

20. William Slim

    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.

21. Alan Brooke

    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.

22. Richard O'Connor

    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.

23. Fyodor Tolbukhin

    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.

24. Giovanni Messe

25. Heinrich Himmler

    

    Heinrich Himmler was a high-ranking German official and a leading member of the Nazi Party. As head of the SS, he was one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany. Himmler played a central role in organizing and overseeing the Holocaust.

26. Italo Balbo

27. Stanisław Maczek

    A Polish tank commander who freed numerous cities. Germans were really scared of his division.