The Men Who Defined World War II

The military commanders who led WWII shaped our world in many different ways. Their actions and decisions helped win or lose the war for their country. Ultimately, they helped define the 20th century and the world we live in today. Here are 20 military commanders from WWII. 

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1. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe and helped plan and oversee D-Day. He coordinated multinational forces and was imperative to the Allied victory. He would go on to become the 34th U.S. president. 

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2. George S. Patton

An iconic commander, Patton was famous for his aggressive and bold tactics. He led U.S. forces in North Africa, Sicily, and France. His Third Army's advance after D-Day cemented his legendary status, and he was controversial for his outspoken nature. 

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3. Omar Bradley

Known as "the soldier's general", Bradley commanded U.S. ground forces in Normandy. He was revered for his practical and grounded approach and calm demeanor. 

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4. Douglas MacArthur

MacArthur was the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific and orchestrated the key island-hopping campaign against Japan. He was known for his dramatic flair and ability to garner respect from his soldiers. 

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5. Chester W. Nimitz

Nimitz was the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and guided and led naval operations against Japan. His leadership during the Midway is credited with having turned the tide of the Pacific War. He was a brilliant strategist and beloved for the respect he showed his subordinates. 

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6. Bernard Montgomery

Montgomery was a British field marshal who commanded the Eighth Army in North Africa. His victory at El Alamein was a key point in the war. He also played an important role in the Normandy invasion. Sure, he was arrogant, but he was also extremely capable and competent. He had a history of clashing with Allied leaders, including Patton. 

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7. Alan Brooke

Brooke was Churchill's top military advisor and served as Chief of the Imperial General Staff. He was influential and strategic, helping plan many of Britain's campaigns across all theaters. He also managed Britain's resources, which at several points during the war were quite depleted. 

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8. Archibald Wavell

Wavell was a respected commander in North Africa and later in India. He faced inexplicable challenges and overcame them despite having limited resources. He was criticized for his defeats, but his leadership helped ensure that Britain was well-positioned in the Middle East and Asia. 

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9. William Slim

As the Commander of the British Fourteenth Army in Burma, Slim turned around the fortunes of a demoralized army by transforming it into a fierce and effective fighting unit. He was revered for his leadership in jungle warfare and contributed to halting Japanese advances.

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10. Georgy Zhukov

Zhukov is the Soviet Union's most celebrated general. He led his armies to victory at Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk, and Berlin. He was driven and tough, and became an enduring symbol of Soviet resilience. He was a true military genius. 

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11. Ivan Konev

Konev was in charge of Soviet forces during pivotal campaigns in Ukraine, Poland, and Prague. He was ruthless yet efficient and became one of Stalin's most trusted officers and commanders during their final push into Germany, which decided the war. 

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12. Charles de Gaulle

Leader of Free France, de Gaulle was one of the most political and tactical commanders of the French forces that were in exile. His relentless courage preserved France's status among the Allied forces and paved the way for a celebrated post-war political career. 

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13. Henri Giraud

Giraud was a prominent and pivotal French general. He escaped German captivity to lead the Free French forces in North Africa. He had heated and intense clashes with de Gaulle, and contributed greatly to Allied campaigns that were decisive in WWII.

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14. Erwin Rommel

Nicknamed "the Desert Fox", Rommel was a German commander who was famous for his bold maneuvers in North Africa. He was the king of mobile warfare and frustrated the British before his defeat at El Alamein. He was later implicated in the plot against Hitler and was forced to commit suicide. 

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15. Heinz Guderian

Guderian was a German military leader and pioneer of blitzkrieg tactics. His armored strategies revolutionized warfare, and he led Panzer forces in Poland, France, and Russia. He was highly influential in Germany's armored doctrine throughout the war. 

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16. Gerd von Rundstedt

One of Germany's senior commanders, von Rundstedt, commanded operations in Russia, France, and during the Battle of the Bulge. He was skilled and precise, but also clashed with Hitler. 

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17. Wilhelm Keitel

Keitel was the head of the German High Command and was loyal to Hitler to the point that history remembers him as something of a "yes-man". His strategic input was limited, but he is still recognized for his high ranking. He was executed at Nuremberg. 

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18. Isoroku Yamamoto

Yamamoto was the architect of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, and earlier in the war, he led his country's naval strategy. He was brilliant, but he has gone down in history for the mistake of underestimating the U.S. military power. He was killed in 1943 when his plane was shot down.

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19. Tomoyuki Yamashita

Yamashita was known as the "Tiger of Malaysia" and commanded Japanese forces in the conquest of Singapore. He would go on to defend the Philippines before being captured. 

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20. Rodolfo Graziani

Graziani was the Italian commander in North Africa, but his lackluster performance contrasted with that of his enemies. He suffered many defeats and was later marginalized in his career. 

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