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Commanders of World War II

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The Commanders of World War II were for the most part career officers. They were forced to adapt to new technologies and shaped the direction of modern warfare. Some political leaders, particularly those of the principal dictatorships involved in the conflict, Adolf Hitler (Germany), Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union), Benito Mussolini (Italy) and Chiang Kaishek (China), acted as supreme military commanders as well as civil commanders of their respective countries or empires.[1]

Military commanders

Allied Powers

United Kingdom

Armed Force Name Highest Rank
held during World War II 		Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Alan Brooke Field Marshal 1st Viscount Alanbrooke Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast.
Commanded the II corps of the British Expeditionary Force at the Battle of France. Later served as the Chief of the Imperial General Staff.[1]
Bernard Montgomery Field Marshal 1st Viscount of El Alamein, Knight of the Garter. Served as CIGS, and deputy leader of NATO.
A veteran of The Great War and the Irish War of Independence, entered the Second World War as a divisional commander within the British Expeditionary Force, defending France and then took command of II Corps during the evacuation at Dunkirk. After several Corps appointments was placed in command of South-Eastern Command before being dispatched to Egypt to take command of the Eight Army, following the death of William Gott. Won the Second Battle of El Alamein and played a crucial role in the completion of the North African Campaign. Then lead the Eighth Army during the Battle of Sicily and then the invasion of Italy itself. Was transferred back to the United Kingdom to take command of the 21st Army Group and led all Allied ground forces during Operation Overlord. Following the conclusion of this campaign, relinquishing the role of Ground Forces commander, he continued to lead 21st Army Group throughout the rest of the 1944-1945 North West Europe Campaign.[1][2]
Harold Alexander Field Marshal 1st Earl of Tunis. Governor General of Canada.
The last British soldier to evacuate Dunkirk, replaced Auchinleck from command at North Africa, and turned the tide in the allies favour. Defeated the Germans in North Africa. Staged a successful invasion of Italy, and as Commander in Chief of Allied Forces liberated it in 1944 before becoming Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces Headquarters, responsible for all military operations in the Mediterranean Theatre.[1]
Archibald Wavell Field Marshal 1st Earl Wavell Viceroy of India, returned to England in 1947 and became High Steward of Colchester.
Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in the Middle East 1939–1941. Commander-in-Chief in India 1941–1942. Commander of ABDACOM 1942. Commander-in-Chief in India 1942–1943. Viceroy of India 1943-1947.[1]
Viscount Gort Field Marshal John Vereker, 6th Viscount Gort. Holder of the Victoria Cross (World War I). Died in 1946.
A world war I hero, he played a major role in mobilising and arming the British forces during the Phony War. He took command of the British Expeditionary Force for the German invasion of France, and despite courageous fighting, was overwhelmed by German military tactics. When his troops were trapped in Dunkirk, he disobeyed orders from French and British command to attack and decided to evacuate, a decision which saved the lives of over 300,000 soldiers.[1]
Claude Auchinleck General Order of the Bath Commander-in-Chief, India
Organised the Home Guard to protect against Operation Sealion. A quick response to the Iraq revolt impressed Churchill, who appointed him Commander-in-Chief of the North Africa forces. Frequent disagreements with British command, coupled with significant loss of territory against Rommel, forced him to be reassigned back to India. He fared better in this theatre, successfully mobilising Indian forces against the Burma invasion.[1]
Air Force Charles Portal Marshal of the Royal Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross,[1] 1st Viscount Portal of Hungerford. Chairman of British Aircraft Corporation.[2]
Strong advocate of area bombing. Took over as head of the RAF after the Battle of Britain. Continually launched air raids against Germany, especially targeting civilian populations.[1]
Arthur Harris Air Chief Marshal 1st Baronet of Chipping Wycombe Manager of the South African Marine Corporation
Assisted Charles Portal in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany.
Hugh Dowding Air Chief Marshal 1st Baron Dowding of Bentley Priory Dismissed as head of fighter command in November 1940. Became a theosophist after the war. Died in Feb 1970, aged 87 and buried in Westminster Abbey.
Leader in World War I of an RFC Squadron. Commander of the Battle of Britain. Deservedly credited with saving Britain from defeat.
Navy Louis Mountbatten File:Mountbatten.jpg Admiral of the Fleet Knight of the Garter Viceroy of India until 1947. First Sea Lord from 1954 to 1957.
Supreme Allied Commander of SEAC. Under him were such famous generals as William Slim and Joseph Stilwell.[1]
Dudley Pound Admiral of the Fleet Knight of the British Empire Died of illness, October 1943.
First Sea Lord 1939-1943.[1]
Andrew Cunningham Admiral of the Fleet Distinguished Service Order, 1st Viscount of Hyndhope Served as Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Died in June 1963, buried at sea off Portsmouth.
First Sea Lord 1943-1946.[1]

France

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Charles de Gaulle Général de Brigade Grand Master Legion of Honor Took control of France as President and was instrumental in creating the Fifth French Republic.
Defied Vichy France by vowing to continue fighting after the French surrender. He headed with de Tassigny the Free French Forces, who assisted the Allies in the liberation of France in 1944.[1]
Jean de Lattre de Tassigny Marshal of France Grand Master Legion of Honor Later commanded French troops in the First Indochina War.
Defied Vichy France by vowing to continue fighting after the French surrender. He headed with Charles de Gaulle the Free French Forces, who assisted the Allies in the liberation of France in 1944.[1]
Maurice Gamelin Général d'Armée Died in 1958.
Commander-in-Chief of French army during Battle of France, was replaced in 20 May 1940.[1]
Maxime Weygand General   Arrested on charges of treason but acquitted.  
Commander-in-Chief of French army during the Battle of France from 20 May 1940 until the surrender of France. Oversaw the creation of the Weygand line, an early application of the Hedgehog tactic.[1]
French Navy François Darlan Admiral of the Fleet   Murdered by Bonnier de La Chapelle December 1942.  
Built up the French Navy to prepare for war, only to see it destroyed by the British Navy. Served the Vichy France government and was tipped to become Pétain's successor. Was commander of Vichy French forces in Operation Torch. After arranging a ceasefire, he defected to the Allied side.[1]

United States

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army George C. Marshall General of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, GCB As Secretary of State his name was given to the Marshall Plan, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953.
Was the aide to General Pershing during World War I. Was Chief of Staff having overall command of the US Army during and before World War II. Marshall served as the U.S. Army Chief of Staff during the war and as the chief military adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Many of the American generals that were given top commands during the war were either picked or recommended by Marshall, including Dwight Eisenhower, Lloyd Fredendall, Leslie McNair, Mark W. Clark and Omar Bradley.[3] He led the rapid growth of US forces, co-ordinated the Western Allies and promoted postwar reconstruction of Europe.[1]
Dwight D Eisenhower General of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Medal of Honor (offered, but not accepted by him). After liberating Europe, served as NATO head before being elected the 34th President of the United States.
Entered the war as an assistant to the more senior Officers MacArthur and George Patton, showed his worth as a commander during the North Africa Campaign, before being chosen by Roosevelt to head the liberation of Europe on the Western Front as commander of SHAEF.[1]
Douglas MacArthur General of the Army Medal of Honor, Philippine Medal of Valor Tasked with rebuilding Japan after the war. Later involved in the Korean War.
Recalled from retirement prior to the start of the Pacific war. Early on in World War II, received the Medal of Honor for extreme bravery. Was disappointed to relinquish the Philippines to the Japanese. Promising to return, he did so in 1945 and whilst in Manila, prepared for war in Japan itself. MacArthur presided over the Japanese Unconditional Surrender in 1945. His strategy of maneuver, air strikes and force avoidance meant that soldiers under his command faced relatively low casualties.

[1]

Omar Bradley General of the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Army and Navy). Became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
This former infantry school instructor entered the war under Patton, later becoming his boss. Towards the end of the war, led a force of over 1.3 million troops (America's largest to serve under one man).[1]
Mark Wayne Clark General Distinguished Service Medal (Army and Navy). Became head of the Citadel
Led the triumphal entry into Rome. Served under General Alexander. Ordered the destruction of the religious abbey at Monte Cassino. Was Commander in Chief in Italy from late 1944.[1]
George S. Patton, Jr. General Distinguished Service Cross Died in a road accident 4 months after the end of the war.
An aggressive general whose ferocious military thrusts earned him admiration and respect from all participants in the war (and at times endangered his military career). Successfully used the German tactic of armored blitzkrieg against the Germans.[1]
Navy Ernest King Fleet Admiral Navy Cross Retired on December 15, 1945.
[1] United States Chief of Naval Operations.
Chester Nimitz Fleet Admiral Distinguished Service Medal Served as Chief of Naval Operations.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, took command of the Pacific Ocean areas, and turned around USA's fortunes in the Battle of Midway. Closed the war with operations in the Leyte Gulf and Okinawa.[1]
William Halsey, Jr. Fleet Admiral Navy Cross Retired 1947.
Commander of South Pacific Area 1942-1944. Commander of United States Third Fleet 1944-1945.[1][4]
Frank Jack Fletcher Admiral Navy Cross Chairman of the General Board, retired in 1947.

Recipient of the Medal of Honor for saving hundreds of refugees during the United States occupation of Veracruz in April 1914 during the Mexican Revolution. Operational commander at the pivotal Battles of Coral Sea and of Midway; nephew of Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher. In November 1942, he became Commander, Thirteenth Naval District and Commander, Northwestern Sea Frontier. A year later, he was placed in charge of the Northern Pacific area [according to Oxford companion to second world war, this occurred in October 1942].[1]

Raymond A. Spruance Admiral Navy Cross Served as President of the Naval War College.
Commander of two of the most significant battles of the war, Battle of Midway and the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
Air Force Henry Arnold General of the Air Force Distinguished Service Cross   Head of the USAAF[1]
Member of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Combined Chiefs of Staff committees.[1]
Ira Clarence Eaker Lieutenant General Legion of Merit, Distinguished Service Medal (Army, Navy and Air Force) Became deputy commander of the Army Air Forces until retirement in 1947.
Commander of the 8th US Bomber command.[1]
Carl Spaatz General Distinguished Service Cross Replaced Arnold in September 1947 to become chief of the US Air Force.
One of the pioneers of US military aviation, Spaatz advocated the use of scientific analysis to bombing raids, and made effective use of long range fighters, tactics which helped the Allies achieve air superiority over Europe.[1]

Soviet Union

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Georgy Zhukov File:Georgi Zhukov in 1940.jpg Marshal of the Soviet Union Twice an Order of Victory, four times Hero of the Soviet Union Became Soviet member of the Allied Control Council for Germany.
Involved in nearly every major battle on the Eastern Front. He successfully led the defense of Moscow and later relieved Leningrad. After vying with Rokossovsky for overall command, he led all Soviet armies in the closing stages of the war and at the Battle for Berlin.[1]
Konstantin Rokossovsky Marshal of the Soviet Union, Marshal of Poland Order of Victory, twice Hero of the Soviet Union. Polish Defense Minister
Decisive role in the Battle for Moscow, led encirclement forces at Stalingrad, broke German counter-attack at Kursk, advanced into Poland and eventually linked up with the Americans at Wismar.[1]
Aleksandr Vasilevsky Marshal of the Soviet Union Twice an Order of Victory, twice Hero of the Soviet Union. Soviet Defence Minister
Stalin's strategic specialist who planned and carried through many successful Soviet operations as overall commander, particularly the encirclement at Stalingrad and the grand plan for Bagration. Commander-in-Chief of Soviet Forces in the Far East during Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation.[1]
Boris Shaposhnikov File:B Shaposhnikov02.jpg Marshal of the Soviet Union Commandant of the Voroshilov Military Academy. Died in 1945.
Chief of the General Staff 1937-1940, 1941-1942. Organized pre-war build up of the Red Army.
Nikolai Vatutin File:Vatutin.jpg General of the Army Hero of the Soviet Union Killed by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
Deputy of the Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army. Decisive Soviet commander at Kursk, outmanoeuvered German commander Manstein and later routed German forces in Korsun salient.[1][Alternate reference needed]
Ivan Konev Marshal of the Soviet Union Order of Victory, Hero of the Soviet Union Appointed head of the Soviet forces in East Germany.
[1]
Semyon Timoshenko File:Semyon Konstantinovich Timoshenko (1895-1970), Soviet military commander.jpg Marshal of the Soviet Union Order of Victory, twice a Hero of the Soviet Union. Soviet Army commander in Belarus  
 
Soviet Navy Ivan Isakov File:Isakov is.jpg Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Hero of the Soviet Union Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces.
Soviet Aviation Alexander Novikov File:AA Novikov.jpg Chief Marshal of Aviation of the Soviet Union Two times Hero of the Soviet Union Commander-in-Chief of the Air Forces of the Soviet Union
Chief of the High school of civil aviation

Republic of China

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Chiang Kai-shek Generalissimo   After the war against Japan, resumed civil war against the communists. Retreated to Taiwan and led the Kuomintang (KMT) government there until his death.  
Was both the head of the Republic of China and the supreme Allied commander in the China Theatre. Led the nation to total war from his temporary capital at Chongqing.
Mao Zedong File:Mao-tiananmen-portrait.jpg Head of the Communist Party of China   Defeated the Kuomintang in the civil war and established the People's Republic of China.  
Greatly expanded communist base areas during the war, and eventually usurped control of China from Kuomintang.[1]
Yan Xishan General   Fought on the side of the Republic of China in the civil war.  
Warlord of Shanxi 
Chen Cheng General   Became the Chief of the general staff  
 
Zhu De General   Became the commander-in-chief of the People's Liberation Army.  
Military leader of the Communist Eighth Route Army.
Xue Yue File:Sitok.png General   Fought on the side of the Republic of China in the civil war.    

Australia

Armed Force Name Highest Rank
held during World War II 		Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Brudenell White General Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Killed in the Canberra air disaster, 1940.
Chief of the General Staff (March–August 1940)
Thomas Blamey General Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire Promoted to Field Marshal in 1950. Became an author and promoted welfare of ex-servicemen.
Commander in Chief of Australian Armed Forces and Commander in Chief of Allied Land Forces in the South West Pacific Area.
Edmund Herring Lieutenant General Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Later Chief Justice of Australia. Received KCMG in 1949
Commander of Australian forces in the Kokoda Track campaign.
Leslie Morshead Lieutenant General Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Became General Manager of the Orient Steam Navigation Company.
Led the famous Australia defence against Rommel's siege of Tobruk. Commander at the Battle of El Alamein. Australia forces took 22 percent of the casualties there. After learning the art of jungle warfare, was a very competent commander of operations against the Japanese in New Guinea.
Air Force Charles Burnett Air Chief Marshal Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath RAF officer loaned to Australia and served as Chief of the Air Staff from 1940 to 1942. Oversaw a 20-fold increase in the size of the RAAF which supported the Empire Air Training Scheme. Returned to Great Britain in 1942 and while suffering poor health worked in the RAF's cadet organisation, the Air Training Corps. Died of a coronary thrombosis months before the end of the War.
Fighter ace during the First World War. Deputy Commander of RAF in the Middle East.
Air Force Peter Roy Maxwell Drummond Air Marshal Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Died in an air crash at sea, 1945.
Fighter ace during the First World War. Deputy Commander of RAF in the Middle East.
Navy John Gregory Crace Vice Admiral Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Commanded Chatham Dockyard in Britain.
Commanded the Australian navy in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Commander of the Allied Naval Squadron, ANZAC Force.

New Zealand

Armed Force Name Highest Rank
held during World War II 		Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Bernard Freyberg Lieutenant General Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, Distinguished Service Order
Holder of the Victoria Cross plus three other Distinguished Service Orders (World War I) 		Returned to New Zealand.
A veteran of the Mexican Revolution and Victoria Cross recipient during the First World War. First soldier on beach for the Battle of Gallipoli during the First World War and the youngest general in the British Army during the First World War.[5] He liked to be in the thick of action—Churchill called him "the Salamander" due to his love of fire. Involved in the disastrous defeat in the Battle of Greece. Again defeated as the Allied Commander in the Battle of Crete. Very successful as a Commander in various campaigns in the North African Campaign, including the Battle of El Alamein. Defeated again at the Battle of Cassino as a Corps Commander. Relieved Padua and Venice, and was first to enter Trieste in the race for Trieste, and successfully confronted Tito's partisans there. By the end of World War II, Freyberg had spent ten and a half long years fighting the Germans.[6]
Air Force Arthur Coningham Air Marshal Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Missing in Bermuda Triangle.
A high scoring air ace in World War I. Air force Commander working with famous Major General George Patton during Operation Torch. Commander of tactical Air Forces for Operation Husky and D-Day.
Keith Park Air Chief Marshal Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Returned to New Zealand
A veteran of The Great War and air ace. Served under Hugh Dowding and commanded the defense of London during the Luftwaffe attacks. Dowding and Park are credited with winning the Battle of Britain. Lead the defense of Malta.
Roderick Carr Air Marshal Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Air Officer Commanding Indian Air Force, 1946
Served in the Royal Naval Air Service during the First World War. Commander of Northern Ireland RAF. Bomber Command Commander 4 Group. Deputy Chief of Staff (Air), SHAEF.

Poland

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Edward Rydz-Śmigły Marshal of Poland Order of the White Eagle Suffered heart attack before he could participate in the Polish resistance.
Was commander-in-chief of Poland during its invasion by German and Russian troops.[1]
Władysław Sikorski General Order of the White Eagle Died in plane crash July 1943.
Served as Commander-in-Chief of the Polish government in exile, and formed the Polish Armed Forces.[1]
Władysław Anders General Order Virtuti Militari Became Inspector-General of the Polish Armed Forces in Exile.
Founder & commander of the Polish Forces Armed in Iran (1942), better known as Anders Army.[1]
Michał Rola-Żymierski File:Michal Zymierski.jpg Marshal of Poland Order of the White Eagle He was a member of the Polish United Workers Party
Was commander-in-chief of the Polish Army fighting alongside the Soviet Union.[1]
Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski Lieutenant General Order of the White Eagle Elected Prime Minister of Polish government in Exile.
Commanded the main part of the Warsaw Uprising.[1]

Czechoslovakia

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Ludvík Svoboda General People's Hero of Yugoslavia, Hero of the Soviet Union Later president of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.
Commander of the Czechoslovak military units on the Eastern front
Ján Golian Brigadier General Czechoslovak War Cross Executed by the Germans in a concentration camp in Flossenburg.
Led the insurgent Slovak Army during the Slovak National Uprising.

Greece

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Alexander Papagos Lieutenant General Deported to Dachau Concentration Camp, led Greek army in Greek Civil War, later Field Marshal and Prime Minister of Greece.
Commander-in-Chief of the Greek Army in 1940-41.[1]
Aris Velouchiotis Corporal Committed suicide after the Second World War.
Founder and chief leader of the Greek People's Liberation Army.
Stefanos Sarafis Colonel Later MP for the United Democratic Left, died in a car accident in 1957.
Military leader of the Greek People's Liberation Army after April 1943.
Napoleon Zervas Colonel Twice minister, died in 1957.
Commander of the National Republican Greek League resistance army.
Navy Alexandros Sakellariou Vice Admiral MP, Navy and National Defense Minister after the war. Died in 1982.
Chief of staff of the Royal Hellenic Navy 1940-41, Navy Minister in exile, 1941-44

Netherlands

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Henri Winkelman General Order of William Died in 1952.
Was Commander-in-Chief of the Netherlands army during the Battle of the Netherlands.[1]
Hein ter Poorten Lieutenant General Died in 1968.
Commander of the ABDA land forces in early 1942.
Navy Conrad Helfrich Vice admiral Died in 1962.
Commander of the ABDA Naval forces in 1942.
Karel Doorman Rear admiral Died in Battle of the Java Sea.
Commander of the combined American, British, Dutch and Australian (ABDA) fleet in the Dutch East Indies.[1]

Yugoslavia

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Josip Broz Tito File:Marsal Tito.jpg Marshal of Yugoslavia Order of the National Hero Became President of Yugoslavia
Led the People's Liberation Army.[1]
Draža Mihailović General Legion of Merit Executed by the Communist regime in 1946.
Commander of the Yugoslav Army in the Fatherland.

Canada

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Henry Crerar General Venerable Order of Saint John Became a diplomat
De facto commander-in-chief of the Canadian military.[1]
Guy Simonds Lieutenant General Order of the Bath Chief of the General Staff
Devised the Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier.[1]
Andrew McNaughton Lieutenant General Order of the Companions of Honour First President of the United Nations Security Council
A noteworthy scientist and inventor of a direction finding device for artillery, a precursor to Radar. Fought in Vimy Ridge during World War I and was a Lieutenant Colonel. Commander of the Canadian troops until 1943. Was defeated in the Dieppe Raid. Opposed the breaking up of the Canadian Army, and insisted it fight as a single unit. Grandfather of Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie of Canada.[1]

South Africa

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Jan Smuts Field Marshal Légion d'honneur Croix de Commandeur Helped drafting of the United Nations Charter, died 11 September 1950
  • Imperial War Cabinet
Smuts signed the Paris Peace Treaty, resolving the peace in Europe, thus becoming the only signatory of both the treaty ending the First World War, and that ending the Second.[1]

Axis Powers

Germany

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Heinrich Himmler Reichfuhrer-SS Suicide 1945.
Chief of the SS during World War II.[1]
Alfred Jodl Colonel General Executed in 1946.
Chief of the Operations Staff of the OKW.[1]
Wilhelm Keitel Field Marshal Executed in 1946.
Chief of the OKW during World War II.[1]
Friedrich Paulus File:Paulus photo.jpg Field Marshal Soviet captivity until 1953. Became a vocal critic of the nazi regime.
Commander of the disastrous campaign in the Battle of Stalingrad.
Walther von Brauchitsch File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2004-0105-500, Walther v. Brauchitsch.jpg Field Marshal Died in 1948.
Commander-in-Chief of Wehrmacht 1938-1941.
Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist Field Marshal Died in 1954 in a Soviet prison. Most senior German officer to die in a Soviet prison.
An aristocrat and senior commander in World War I. Commander of tank armies in the German Army in World War II. Fought in most of the actions involving blitzkrieg techniques.
Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb Field Marshal Died in 1948.
Exemplary service in World War I. Given the command of Army Group North in Operation Barbarossa. Was in charge of the unsuccessful siege of Leningrad, which lasted nearly 1000 days.
Gerd von Rundstedt Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves and Swords[7] Died in 1953.
A Kriegsakademie graduate of the Prussian nobility, and a major World War I veteran, Rundstedt distinguished himself as commander of numerous fronts of World War II including the Western and Eastern fronts of Europe.[1]
Günther von Kluge File:GFMKluge.jpg Field Marshall Committed suicide in 1944.
Commander of many successful operations including the invasion of Poland, France and the Soviet Union. Involved in the failed Hitler assassination, he deicded to commit suicide.[1]
Sepp Dietrich File:Sepp.jpg Colonel General Sentenced to life, reduced to 25 years imprisonment in 1946. Promoted welfare of ex-servicemen on release.
Before World War II, Dietrich was very close to Hitler, and played a part in the Night of the Long Knives. Later in World War II he was a veteran of many hard battles on the Eastern Front and in France. Dietrich came into prominence for his role in the Battle of the Buldge in late 1944. He later commanded the defense of Vienna. He was a widely respected person in Germany both during and after the war.[1]
Georg von Küchler File:Georg von KBCchler.jpg Field Marshal Arrested in 1948 and sent to the Soviet Union by the Americans. Released in 1953.
Relieved von Leeb as commander of the siege of Leningard. After this failed, withdrew Army Group North, which saved them.[1]
Fedor von Bock Field Marshal Was killed in bombing raid in 1945.
Recipient of the Pour le Mérite from World War I, rose rapidly in rank to Field marshal by the Fall of France. Took command of Army Group Centre, whose Panzer Groups penetrated the furthest into Russia.[1]
Erich von Manstein Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves and Swords[7] Imprisoned after war, later released and served as senior advisor of Bundeswehr.
The master of mobile battle, authored the original Sichelschnitt plan, a plan which enabled Germany to capture France with minimal casualties.[1]
Erwin Rommel Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds[7] Committed suicide in 1944.
A legend in his own time, The Desert Fox headed the German campaign of North Africa. Rommel was highly decorated in World War I with the Pour le Mérite, Germany's highest award. During In World War II, He made an immediate impact in the Saharan desert, conquering all of West Africa and threatening to reach Suez. Due to a number of factors such as stretching supply lines and the reinforcement of Allied military power (both in Morroco and Egypt) turned the tide in the favour of the Allies, and his forces were routed in the Battle of Tunisia in 1943. Before he could counterattack, German high command reassigned him to defend the Atlantic Wall. Poor intelligence and overmanipulation by the Wehrmacht made led to the allied invasion of Normandy, which Rommel failed to stop. Though typically linked to the assassination of Hitler, Rommel probably did not take part in the July 20 plot as he did not want future generations to think that the Axis lost the war due to backstabbing. Nevertheless, Rommel had to commit suicide, lest he face a mock-trial which would have surely ended in the death of him, his family and his aides.[1]
Walter Model Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds[7] Committed suicide in 1945.
German Army officer whose expertise in defensive warfare earned him the nickname of the 'Führer's fireman'[1]
Heinz Guderian File:GuGuderian.jpg Colonel General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves[7] Died in 1954.
Main creator of Blitzkrieg tactics. Chief of OKH General Staff 1944-1945.[1]
Air force Hermann Göring Reichsmarschall Grand Cross of the Iron Cross[7] Committed suicide after being sentenced to death for war crimes.
Was a high scoring air ace and took over the Red Baron's famous squadron, and won the prestigious Pour le Mérite in World War I. Hitler's second in charge. Commander-in-Chief of Luftwaffe 1935-1945. During World War II, he did not live up to his prior high standards. He was involved with the running of Germany and the war, and the central decision making, including implemenation of the Holocaust.[1]
Albert Kesselring Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds[7] Died in 1960 at the age of 75.
Was Commander in Chief of Luftwaffe South (1941-1943), then South-west (1943-1945), then West Europe (1945). Was a very competent commander as chief of the defense of Italy against the allies, when he caused plenty of problems, even though heavily outnumbered, including at the prolonged battles of Anzio and Monte Cassino. Was a leader in the defense of Germany at the end of the war. Kesselring was widely admired and acknowledged on both sides as a "fair fighter" and was responsible for protecting priceless artworks and even the City of Rome from destruction.[1]
Kurt Student File:KurtStudent.jpg Colonel General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves[7] Held as a Prisoner of War by the British and freed in 1948.
An ace of World War I. Before World War II, trained troops in airborne operations. Commended the successful airborne operations in the Battle of Crete. Commanded the highly successful operation to free Benito Mussolini. Successful again in the defense against airborne landings near Arnhem.[1]
Robert Ritter von Greim Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds[7] Committed suicide in 1945.
An ace of World War I and winner of the prestigious Pour Le Merite award. Before World War II, went to China to help build their air force. A commander of the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Poland. He achieved well as Air Commander in the Battle of Kursk. He was loyal to Hitler to the end, flying in on the 26th April, 1945 with Hanna Reitsch. He and Hanna Reitsch said "It was the blackest day when we could not die at our Führer's side.".[1]
Wolfram von Richthofen Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves[7] Died in 1945.
Navy Erich Raeder Grand Admiral Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Died in 1960.
Commander-in-Chief of Kriegsmarine 1936-1943.[1]
Karl Dönitz Grand Admiral Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves[7] Briefly became President of Germany. Spent 10 years in prison. Died in 1980.
Commander-in-Chief of Kriegsmarine 1943-1945.[1]

Italy

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Pietro Badoglio File:Pbadoglio.jpg Marshal of Italy Duke of Addis Abeba Succeeded Mussolini and arranged an Armistice of his country with the Allies.
Was not in favour of Italy's alliance to Germany, and resigned after the Battle of Greece.[1]
Ugo Cavallero Marshal of Italy Committed suicide after alienating both Germany and non-fascist Italy.
Chief of the Italian Supreme Command 1940-1943.[1]
Giovanni Messe Marshal of Italy Became a member of the Italian Senate.
Navy Arturo Riccardi Admiral Removed from office by Badoglio
Served as Chief of staff of the Italian Navy.

Japan

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Hideki Tojo File:Tojo3.jpg General Executed in 1948.
Prime minister of Japan 1941-1944 was also a military commander. Chief of the Army General Staff in 1944.[1]
Hajime Sugiyama Field Marshal Committed suicide shortly after the end of the war.
Chief of the Army General Staff 1940-1944.[1]
Kotohito Kan'in Field Marshal Died in 1945
Chief of staff of the Army, 1931-1940
Hisaichi Terauchi Field Marshal Order of the Rising Sun Died in a prisoner of war camp in Malaya June 1946.
Son of former PM Terauchi Masatake, became the senior officer of the Imperial Japanese after the coup of 1936. Was at one time considered as Tojo successor after the latter's resignation.
Shunroku Hata Field Marshal Sentenced to imprisonment.
 
Tomoyuki Yamashita General Executed at 1946.
Forced the surrender of the allies in the Battle of Singapore. Defender of the Philippines against MacArthur.[1]
Iwane Matsui[citation needed] General Retired 1938, executed in 1948.
 
Navy Osami Nagano Fleet Admiral Died of a heart attack in 1947.
Chief of the Navy General Staff, 1941-1944.
Hiroyasu Fushimi Fleet Admiral Died in 1946.
Chief of staff of the Navy, 1932-1941.
Isoroku Yamamoto File:Yamamoto-Isoroku-improvedContrast.jpg Fleet Admiral Order of the Chrysanthemum The plane carrying him was shot down in 1943.
Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy 1939-1943.[1]
Mineichi Koga Fleet Admiral Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves[7] Killed in plane crash 1944.
Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy 1943-1944.[1]
Soemu Toyoda Admiral Died in 1957 at the age of 73.
Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy 1944-1945, Chief of staff of the Navy 1945.[1]
Chuichi Nagumo Admiral Order of the Rising Sun Committed suicude in 1944 during the battle of Saipan.
Torpedo specialist and commander of the Carrier Striking Task Force that attacked Pearl Harbor. Successful raids at Darwin and the Indian Ocean were reversed at the Battle of Midway. Although he had tactical victories in the Guadalcanal campaigns, his battle strength was severely depleted, and was switched to the defence of the Mariana Islands.[1]
Jisaburo Ozawa Vice Admiral Died in 1966.
Replaced Toyoda in 1945 to become Commander in Chief of the Japanese Combined Fleet[1]

Thailand

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Plaek Pibulsonggram Field Marshal Later ousted after the defeat of the Japanese, only to return to power in 1948 and become Prime Minister until 1957.
Prime Minister and dictator of Thailand during the war, eventually commanding Thai forces during the French-Thai War.

Finland

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim Marshal of Finland Mannerheim Cross Succeeded Risto Ryti as President of Finland
Was Commander-in-Chief of Finnish army during World War II. Organised the Mannerheim Line in the Karelian Peninsula.[1]
Karl Lennart Oesch Lieutenant General Mannerheim Cross Died in 1978
Was one of the most important Finnish generals. Two-thirds of the Finnish ground forces were under his command at the end of the Continuation War.

Romania

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Ion Antonescu Marshal of Romania Executed in 1946.
Took control of Romania when Carol II abdicated, and established a fascist dictatorship with the Iron Guard Party. Acted as Commander-in-Chief of the Romanian Army and Conducător of Romania, recapturing Bessarabia and northern Bucovina, then appointed himself marshal. When his forces were decimated at Stalingrad, he started negotiating for peace. His career ended in 1944 when he was arrested by King Michael, who signed an armistice with the Allies.[1]
Petre Dumitrescu General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Died in 1950.

Slovakia

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Ferdinand Čatloš Major General Was briefly imprisoned, set free in 1948, died in 1972.
Slovakian Minister of Defence and Chief General Staff.

Azad Hind

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Subhas Chandra Bose File:Subhas Bose.jpg Supreme Commander of the Indian National Army Died under mysterious circumstances.
Led the Indian National Army.
Mohan Singh Deb General Became a member of the Rajya Sabha.
First commander-in-chief of the Indian National Army.
Shah Nawaz Khan Major Became a member of the Lok Sabha.
Led the 1st Guerrilla Detachment of the INA.
Lakshmi Sahgal Captain Became a prominent leftist politician.
Commander of the all-female Rani of Jhansi regiment.

Others

Burma

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Aung San Major General Arranged for the establishment of Burmese independence, assassinated under mysterious causes in 1947.
Led the Burma National Army and the Anti-Fascist Organisation.

Switzerland

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Henri Guisan General Retired in Switzerland feeling his mission was fulfilled.
Special war time four star General of Swiss Armed Forces. He made it very clear that Switzerland would resist any Nazi invasion. If they ran out of bullets they were to resort to the bayonet. He said that Switzerland would defend itself against any invader and would never surrender. Indeed, Swiss citizens had been instructed to regard any surrender broadcast as enemy lies and resist to the end.

Ukraine

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Casualties inflicted Theatres / Battles
Army Roman Shukhevych File:Shukhewich.jpg General Gold Cross of Combat Merit, First Class Died fighting NKVD forces in Lviv in 1950.
Supreme commander of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.

See also

Template:Historyportal

Allied leaders of World War II
Axis leaders of World War II

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca Oxford Companion to the Second World War (paperback ed.). Oxford University Press. 2005. ISBN 0-1928-0666-1. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Lord Ismay (2001). NATO, the first 5 years. NATO archives.
  3. ^ Ossad, Steven L., Command Failures: Lessons Learned from Lloyd R. Fredendall, Army Magazine, March 2003
  4. ^ "Fleet Admiral Halsey Jr Profile at Naval Historical center". Retrieved 2007-01-03.
  5. ^ Youngest General WW1
  6. ^ Freyberg - Archives from Italy
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l List of Knight's Cross recipients
  8. ^ "Marcus Wendel's Axis history site". Retrieved 2007-01-06.
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