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 forged the direction of modern warfare. Some political leaders, particularly those of the principal dictatorships involved in the conflict, Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union), Adolf Hitler (Germany), Benito Mussolini (Italy) and Emperor Hirohito (Japan), acted as supreme military commanders as well as dictators for their respective countries or empires.[1]

Military commanders[]

Allied Forces[]

United Kingdom[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Alan Brooke 1st Viscount Alanbrooke 1947.jpg Field Marshal Knight of the Garter. Served as CIGS.
  • Chief of the Imperial General Staff
  • Battle of the Ypres-Comines Canal
  • Operation Ariel
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 Bernard Law Montgomery.jpg Field Marshal Knight of the Garter. Served as CIGS, and deputy leader of NATO.
  • Western Desert Campaign
  • Battle of Alam el Halfa
  • Second Battle of El Alamein
  • Battle of El Agheila
  • Tunisia Campaign
  • Battle of Medenine
  • Operation Pugilist
  • Battle of Wadi Akarit
  • Operation Husky
  • Operation Avalanche
  • Western Front (World War II)
  • Operation Overlord
  • Battle for Caen
  • Operation Epsom
  • Operation Goodwood
  • Operation Cobra
  • Falaise pocket
  • Operation Market Garden
  • Battle of the Bulge
  • Western Allied invasion of Germany
A veteran of World War I 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 Eighth 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 led 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 HarolAlexanderD 026065.jpg Field Marshal Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath Governor General of Canada.
  • Battle of Dunkirk
  • Mediterranean and Middle East Theatre
  • Adriatic Campaign of World War II
  • North African Campaign
  • Battle of Tunisia
  • Italian Campaign (World War II)
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 Archibald Wavell2.jpg Field Marshal Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath 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 Lord Gort and Lieutenant General Pownall cropped.jpg Field Marshal Holder of the Victoria Cross. Died in 1946.
  • Western Front (World War II)
  • Battle of France
  • Battle of Dunkirk
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 but 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 Auchinleck (cropped).jpg General Order of the Bath Commander-in-Chief, India
  • Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II
  • Adriatic Campaign of World War II
  • North African Campaign
  • Anglo-Iraqi War
  • Operation Crusader
  • Battle of Gazala
  • First Battle of El Alamein
Organised the Home Guard to protect against Operation Sea Lion. 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 MRAF Sir Charles Portal.jpg Marshal of the Royal Air Force Knight of the Garter Chairman of British Aircraft Corporation.[3]
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 Sir Arthur Harris.jpg Air Chief Marshal Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Manager of the South African Marine Corporation
  • Strategic bombing during World War II
  • Combined Bomber Offensive
  • Pointblank directive
  • Battle of the Ruhr
  • Bombing of Kassel in World War II
  • Battle of Berlin (RAF campaign)
Assisted Charles Portal in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany.
Hugh Dowding Hugh Dowding.jpg Air Chief Marshal Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Dismissed as head of fighter command in November 1940. Became a theosophist after the war. Died in February 1970, aged 87 and buried in Westminster Abbey.
  • Battle of Britain
Leader in World War I of an RFC Squadron. Commander of the Battle of Britain. Credited with saving Britain from defeat.
Navy Andrew Cunningham Andrew Cunningham cropped.jpg Admiral of the Fleet Knight of the Thistle 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]
Louis Mountbatten Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, 1943. TR1230 (cropped).jpg Admiral of the Fleet Knight of the Garter Viceroy of India until 1947. First Sea Lord from 1954 to 1957.
  • Battle of Dieppe
  • South-East Asian theatre of World War II
  • Burma Campaign
  • Operation Tiderace
Supreme Allied Commander of SEAC. Under him were such generals as William Slim and Joseph Stilwell.[1]
Sir Alfred Pound SirDudleyPound.jpg Admiral of the Fleet Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Died of illness, October 1943.
  • Battle of the Atlantic
First Sea Lord 1939-1943.[1]
James Somerville INF3-77 pt8 Admiral Sir James Somerville.jpg Admiral of the Fleet Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Became Lord Lieutenant of Somerset in August 1946.

France[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Charles de Gaulle De Gaulle-OWI.jpg Général de Brigade Grand Master Legion of Honor Took control of France as President and was instrumental in creating the Fifth French Republic.
  • Battle of France
  • Battle of Montcornet
  • Battle of Abbeville
  • West African Campaign
  • Battle of Dakar
  • Battle of Gabon
  • Free French Forces
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 De Lattre.jpg Marshal of France Grand Master Legion of Honor Later commanded French troops in the First Indochina War.
  • Invasion of Elba
  • Operation Dragoon
  • Colmar Pocket
  • French Resistance
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]
Alphonse Juin GenJuin.jpg Marshal of France Grand Cross Legion of Honor Became Resident General in Morocco.
  • Winter Line
Commander of the Vichy French forces in North Africa until 1942, then commander of the French Expeditionary Corps in Tunisia and Italy.[1]
Maurice Gamelin Gamelin.jpg Général d'Armée Grand Cross Legion of Honor Died in 1958.
  • Saar Offensive
  • Battle of Belgium
  • Battle of France
  • Battle of Sedan (1940)
Commander-in-Chief of French army during Battle of France, was replaced on 20 May 1940.[1]
Maxime Weygand Time Maxime Weygand 10 30 33 cropped.jpg Général d'armée Grand Cross Legion of Honor Arrested on charges of treason but acquitted.
  • Battle of Belgium
  • Battle of France
  • Battle of Abbeville
  • Battle of Dunkirk
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 François Darlan.jpg Admiral of the Fleet War Cross 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 Theatres / Battles
Army George Marshall George Catlett Marshall, general of the US army.jpg General of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star As Secretary of State his name was given to the Marshall Plan, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953. Also served as Secretary of Defense during the Korean War.
Was the aide to General Pershing after 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, Lesley J. McNair, Mark W. Clark and Omar Bradley.[4] He led the rapid growth of US forces, co-ordinated the Western Allies and promoted postwar reconstruction of Europe.[1]
Dwight D. Eisenhower General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, at his headquarters in the European theater of operations. He... - NARA - 520686.tif General of the Army Army Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal. After liberating Europe, served as Army Chief of Staff, president of Columbia University, and Supreme Commander of NATO before being elected the 34th President of the United States.
  • Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II
  • Adriatic Campaign of World War II
  • North African Campaign
  • Italian Campaign (World War II)
  • Western Front (World War II)
  • Western Allied invasion of Germany
In December 1943, President Roosevelt decided that Eisenhower—not Marshall—would be Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. The following month, he resumed command of European Theater of Operations United States Army (ETOUSA) and the following month was officially designated as the Supreme Allied Commander of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), serving in a dual role until the end of hostilities in Europe in May 1945. He was charged in these positions with planning and carrying out the Allied assault on the coast of Normandy in June 1944 under the code name Operation Overlord, to head the liberation of Europe on the Western Front and the invasion of Germany.
Douglas MacArthur Douglas MacArthur 58-61.jpg 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 Omar Bradley.jpg General of the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Army and Navy). Promoted to General of the Army during the Korean War (after serving in the rank of General during World War II). 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 W. Clark Mark Wayne Clark 1943.jpg General Distinguished Service Medal (Army and Navy). Became head of the Citadel
  • Allied invasion of Italy
  • Bernhardt Line
  • Battle of San Pietro Infine
  • Battle of Monte Cassino
  • Operation Shingle
  • Battle of Cisterna
  • Gothic Line
  • Operation Grapeshot
Led the triumphal entry into Rome. Served under General Harold 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. Luxembourg - General Patton (12744889054).jpg 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 many 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 80-G-302273 (26222660441).jpg Fleet Admiral Navy Cross Retired on December 15, 1945.
  • Battle of the Atlantic
[1] United States Chief of Naval Operations.
Chester W. Nimitz Chester Nimitz-fleet-admiral.jpg Fleet Admiral Legion of Honour, 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. Admiral William F. Halsey.jpg Fleet Admiral Navy Cross Retired 1947.
Commander of South Pacific Area 1942-1944. Commander of United States Third Fleet 1944-1945.[1][5]
Frank Jack Fletcher Fletcher-cropped.jpg Admiral Medal of Honor 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. Later, he was placed in charge of the Northern Pacific area.[1]

Raymond A. Spruance Ray Spruance.jpg Admiral Navy Cross Served as President of the Naval War College.
Commander of two significant battles during the war, Battle of Midway and the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
USAAF Henry Arnold 021002-O-9999G-013.jpg General of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal  
Member of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Combined Chiefs of Staff committees.[1]
Ira C. Eaker LTG Ira Eaker.jpg General 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 Carl Spaatz.jpg General Air Force Cross Replaced Arnold in September 1947 to become chief of the US Air Force.
  • Operation Flax
  • Strategic bombing during World War II
  • Combined Bomber Offensive
  • Pointblank directive
  • Bombing of Kassel in World War II
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 Theatres / Battles
Army Georgy Zhukov Zhukov-LIFE-1944-1945.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, Minister of Defense of the Soviet Union 1955-57
  • Eastern Front
  • Operation Barbarossa
  • Siege of Leningrad
  • Battle of Moscow
  • Battles of Rzhev
  • Operation Mars
  • Case Blue
  • Battle of Stalingrad
  • Battle of Kursk
  • Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive
  • Kamenets-Podolsky pocket
  • Operation Bagration
  • Vistula–Oder Offensive
  • Operation Solstice
  • Battle of Berlin
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]
Aleksandr Vasilevsky Aleksandr Vasilevsky 4.jpg Marshal of the Soviet Union Twice an Order of Victory, twice Hero of the Soviet Union. Chief of Staff of the Soviet Army, Soviet Defence Minister
  • Eastern Front
  • Operation Barbarossa
  • Battle of Moscow
  • Second Battle of Kharkov
  • Case Blue
  • Battle of Stalingrad
  • Operation Bagration
  • East Prussian Offensive
  • Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation
  • Soviet–Japanese War
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]
Konstantin Rokossovsky Konstanty Rokossowski, 1945.jpg Marshal of the Soviet Union, Marshal of Poland Order of Victory, twice Hero of the Soviet Union. Polish Defense Minister
  • Eastern Front
  • Case Blue
  • Battle of Stalingrad
  • Third Battle of Kharkov
  • Battle of Kursk
  • Battle of Dnieper
  • Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive
  • Operation Bagration
  • East Prussian Offensive
  • East Pomeranian Offensive
  • Battle of Berlin
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]
Boris Shaposhnikov Boris Shaposhnikov 02.jpg Marshal of the Soviet Union Three Orders of Lenin Commandant of the Voroshilov Military Academy. Died in 1945.
  • Pre-emptive war
Chief of the General Staff 1937-1940, 1941-1942. Organized pre-war buildup of the Red Army.
Ivan Bagramyan Баграмян Иван Христофорович.jpg Marshal of the Soviet Union Twice Hero of the Soviet Union. Soviet Army commander
  • Eastern Front
  • Operation Barbarossa
  • Battle of Rostov
  • Battle of Moscow
  • Second Battle of Kharkov
  • Battle of Kursk
  • Siege of Leningrad
  • Operation Bagration
  • Baltic Offensive
  • East Prussian Offensive
  • Battle of Memel
  • Battle of Königsberg
Bagramyan's experience in military planning as a chief of staff allowed him to distinguish himself as a capable commander in the early stages of the Soviet counter-offensives against Nazi Germany.
Nikolai Vatutin Николай Ватутин, 1943 год.jpg General of the Army Hero of the Soviet Union Killed by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
  • Eastern Front
  • Battle of Stalingrad
  • Third Battle of Kharkov
  • Battle of Kursk
  • Battle of Kiev (1943)
  • Dnieper–Carpathian Offensive
  • Kamenets-Podolsky pocket
  • Korsun-Cherkassy Pocket
Deputy of the Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army. Played a decisive role at Kursk, outmanoeuvered German commander Manstein and later routed German forces in Korsun salient.[1][additional citation(s) needed]
Ivan Konev Ivan Konev 1945.jpg Marshal of the Soviet Union Order of Victory, Twice Hero of the Soviet Union Appointed head of the Soviet forces in East Germany. Served as chief of the Soviet Armed Forces and Warsaw Pact.
Played a pivotal role in the War, retaking much of Eastern Europe. Helped in the capture of Berlin, the capital of Nazi Germany. Konev was also a competitor of Marshal Georgy Zhukov.[1]
Semyon Timoshenko Marshal of the Soviet Union Order of Victory, Twice Hero of the Soviet Union. Soviet Army commander in Belarus
  • Invasion of Poland
  • Winter War
  • Battle of Summa
  • Eastern Front
  • Operation Barbarossa
  • Battle of Smolensk (1941)
  • Second Battle of Kharkov
  • Case Blue
Defence Commissar till 19 July 1941. Chairman of the Stavka (Soviet High Command). A capable commander in the early stages of World War II. Played a decisive role in the Winter War and the invasion of Poland. After the defeat Kharkov, Timoshenko was removed by Stalin from front-line command but given overall command in different fronts of the USSR.
Soviet Navy Ivan Isakov 1974 CPA 4359.jpg Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Hero of the Soviet Union Chief of Staff of Naval Forces of the Soviet Union, Deputy People's Commissar of the Navy
Nikolay Kuznetsov Nikolai Kuznetsov 3.jpg Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Hero of the Soviet Union People's Commissar of the Navy during The Second World War
  • Eastern Front
  • Yalta conference
Ivan Yumashev Адмирал Иван Степанович Юмашев.jpg Admiral Hero of the Soviet Union Commander of Soviet Pacific Fleet
Soviet Aviation Sergei Khudyakov Sergei Khudyakov.jpg Marshal of Aviation of the Soviet Union Order of Lenin Chief of Staff of the Air Forces of the Soviet Union, deputy commander of the Red Air Force
  • Eastern Front
  • Battles of Rzhev
  • Battle of Kursk
  • Yalta conference
  • Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation
  • Soviet–Japanese War
Alexander Novikov Alexander Novikov, 1943.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
Alexander Golovanov Александр Евгеньевич Голованов.jpg Chief Marshal of Aviation of the Soviet Union Commander of the Long Range Aviation
  • Eastern Front

Republic of China[]

[1]
Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Chiang Kai-shek Chiang Kai-shek enhanced.jpg Generalissimo Order of National Glory After the war against Japan, resumed Chinese Civil War against the communists. Retreated to Taiwan and led the Kuomintang (KMT) government there until his death.
  • Supreme Leader of the China Front
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.
Yan Xishan Yan Xishan.png General Order of Blue Sky and White Sun Fought on the side of the Republic of China in the civil war.
Warlord of Shanxi 
Chen Cheng Chen Cheng.jpg General Order of Blue Sky and White Sun Became the Chief of the general staff.
  • Second Sino-Japanese War
  • Battle of Shanghai
  • Battle of Wuhan
  • 1st Battle of Changsha
  • Battle of West Hubei
  • Burma theatre
 
Zhu De Chu De2.jpg Marshal of the People's Republic of China Honour Sabre of the Awakened Lion Became the commander-in-chief of the People's Liberation Army.
Military leader of the Communist Eighth Route Army.
Xue Yue 薛岳.jpg General Order of Blue Sky and White Sun Fought on the side of the Republic of China in the civil war.
 
Li Zongren Liangyou 135 cover - Li Zongren.jpg General Order of Blue Sky and White Sun Became the Vice President of the Republic of China.
 
Bai Chongxi Minister1.jpg General Order of Blue Sky and White Sun Became the Minister of National Defence of the Republic of China.
  • Second Sino-Japanese War
  • Battle of Taierzhuang
  • Battle of Wuhan
  • Battle of South Guangxi
  • Battle of Henan-Hunan-Guangxi
 
Navy Chen Shaokuan Ding Sieu-kuang.jpg Fleet Admiral Order of Blue Sky and White Sun Became the Minister of Navy of the Republic of China, the Vice Governor of Fujian Province of the People's Republic of China
  • Second Sino-Japanese War
  • Battle of Jiangyin
 
Chen Ce Chen Chak.jpg Admiral Order of the British Empire
  • Second Sino-Japanese War
  • Battle of Humen
  • Battle of Hong Kong
 
沈鴻烈海軍中將1927.jpg Admiral Order of Blue Sky and White Sun
  • Second Sino-Japanese War
  • Manchurian Incident
  • Battle of Shanghai
 

Australia[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank
held during World War II
Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Vernon Sturdee Vernon Sturdee 093811.JPG Lieutenant General Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
  • Sturdee served as the Chief of General Staff and commanded the First Australian Army (1939-1945).
  • On 6 September 1945 he was the senior Allied officer present at the surrender of Japanese Forces in Rabaul in the South West Pacific theatre.
  • On 1 December 1945 Sturdee was appointed Commander in Chief of the Australian Military Forces, overseeing the demobilisation of the wartime army. He was mentioned in despatches for a third time on 6 March 1947.
Chief of General Staff and then Commander in Chief
Brudenell White Brudenell White (AWM 001110).jpg General Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Killed in the Canberra air disaster, 1940.
  • Chief of the General Staff
Chief of the General Staff (March–August 1940)
Thomas Blamey Blamey.jpg 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.
  • Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II
  • Battle of Greece
  • South West Pacific theatre of World War II
  • New Guinea campaign
  • Kokoda Track campaign
  • Battle of Wau
  • Landing at Nadzab
Commander-in-chief of Australian Armed Forces and commander-in-chief of Allied Land Forces in the South West Pacific Area.
Edmund Herring Edmund Herring by William Dargie.jpg 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 Morshead (AWM 009517).jpg Lieutenant General Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Became General Manager of the Orient Steam Navigation Company.
  • Western Desert Campaign
  • Siege of Tobruk
  • Battle of Sio
  • South West Pacific theatre of World War II
  • Borneo campaign
Led the Australian defence against Rommel's in 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, he became the commander of operations against the Japanese in New Guinea.
Air Force Charles Burnett Air Chf Mshl Sir Charles Burnett.jpg 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 004353Drummond1.jpg Air Marshal Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Died in an air crash at sea, 1945.
  • Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Middle East
Fighter ace during the First World War. Deputy Commander of RAF in the Middle East.
Navy John Gregory Crace John Gregory Crace.jpg Vice Admiral Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Commanded Chatham Dockyard in Britain.
  • Pacific Ocean theatre of World War II
  • Battle of the Coral Sea
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 Theatres / Battles
Army Bernard Freyberg, 1st Baron Freyberg Bernard Freyberg.jpg 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 and later became Governor-General
  • Battle of Greece
  • Battle of Thermopylae (1941)
  • Battle of Crete
  • North African Campaign
  • Tunisia Campaign
  • Italian Campaign (World War II)
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.[6] He liked to be in the thick of action—Churchill called him "the Salamander" due to his love of fire. Involved in the defeat in the Battle of Greece. Again defeated as the Allied Commander in the Battle of Crete after Churchill failed to provide enigma intelligence. 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 (this is nonsense-the Germans lost at Cassino-how could Freyberg be defeated?). Relieved Padua and Venice, and was first to enter Trieste in the race for Trieste, and successfully confronted Josip Broz Tito's Partisans there. By the end of World War II, Freyberg had spent ten and a half years fighting the Germans during both the second and first world wars.[7]
Air Force Arthur Coningham Arthur Coningham (RAF officer).jpg Air Marshal Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Missing in Bermuda Triangle.
  • North African Campaign
  • Western Desert Campaign
  • First Battle of El Alamein
  • Second Battle of El Alamein
  • Operation Torch
  • Italian Campaign
  • North-West Europe Campaign
  • Normandy campaign
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 Sir Keith Park.jpg Air Chief Marshal Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Returned to New Zealand.
  • Battle of France
  • Battle of Britain
  • Battle of Malta
  • Pacific Theatre of Operations
A veteran of World War I 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. Led the defense of Malta.
Roderick Carr Air Mshl Sir Roderick Carr.jpg Air Marshal Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Air Officer Commanding Indian Air Force, 1946
  • Battle of Britain
  • RAF Bomber Command
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 Theatres / Battles
Army Edward Rydz-Śmigły Marshal Rydz-Smigly LOC hec 27123.jpg Marshal of Poland Order of the White Eagle Suffered heart attack before he could participate in the Polish resistance.
  • Invasion of Poland
  • Fighting Poland Movement
Was commander-in-chief of Poland during its invasion by German and Russian troops.[1]
Władysław Sikorski Wladyslaw Sikorski 2.jpg 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 Wladyslaw Anders.jpg General Order of the White Eagle 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 Rola-Żymierski Michał.jpg Marshal of Poland Order of the Builders of People's Poland He was a member of the Polish United Workers Party
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
  • People's Army of Poland.
Was commander-in-chief of the Polish Army fighting alongside the Soviet Union.[1]
Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski Tadeusz Bor Komorowski.jpg Lieutenant General Order of the White Eagle Elected Prime Minister of Polish government in Exile.
  • Polish Resistance
  • Warsaw Uprising
Commanded the main part of the Warsaw Uprising.[1]
Franciszek Kleeberg Kleeberg.jpg Major General Virtuti Militari

Iron Cross

He was one of the officers of the Polish Legion against the Soviets.
The last remaining Polish General holding the Germans off until the battle of Kock, he had never lost a battle until Kock.[8]

Czechoslovakia[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Ludvík Svoboda General People's Hero of Yugoslavia, Hero of the Soviet Union Later president of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.
  • Eastern Front
  • Battle of Sokolovo
  • Battle of the Dukla Pass
Commander of the Czechoslovak military units on the Eastern front
Ján Golian Ján Golian2.jpg Brigadier General Czechoslovak War Cross Executed by the Germans in a concentration camp in Flossenburg.
  • Slovak National Uprising
Led the insurgent Slovak Army during the Slovak National Uprising.

Greece[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Alexander Papagos Alexander Papagos and Archibald Wavell in Athens, Greece - 194101.jpg Field Marshal the Commander's Cross of the Cross of Valour Deported to Dachau Concentration Camp, led Greek army in Greek Civil War, later Field Marshal and Prime Minister of Greece.
  • Greek Resistance
Commander-in-Chief of the Greek Army in 1940-41.
Napoleon Zervas Lieutenant Colonel Twice minister, died in 1957.
Commander of the National Republican Greek League resistance army.
Stefanos Sarafis Major General Later MP for the United Democratic Left, died in a car accident in 1957.
  • Balkan Campaign (World War II)
  • Greco-Italian War
  • Capture of Klisura Pass
  • Italian Spring Offensive
  • Battle of Greece
Founder and chief leader of the Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS).
Aris Velouchiotis Corporal (actual rank)
Major of Artillery (assumed rank)
Committed suicide after the Second World War.
Chief military officer of the Greek People's Liberation Army after April 1943.[1]
Navy Alexandros Sakellariou On Board the Greek Cruiser Hhms Giorgios Averoff. 23 February 1943, Port-said, Rear Admiral a Sakellariou, Commander in Chief of the Royal Hellenic Navy Flies His Flag in the Cruiser Hhms Giorgios Averoff. A15198.jpg Vice Admiral the Commander's Cross of the Cross of Valour MP, Navy and National Defense Minister after the war. Died in 1982.
  • Battle of the Mediterranean
Chief of staff of the Royal Hellenic Navy 1940-41, Minister for National Defence, 1951–52

Netherlands[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Henri Winkelman Henri Winkelman.jpg General Military William Order Died in 1952.
  • Battle of the Netherlands
  • Battle of Maastricht
  • Battle for The Hague
  • Battle of Zeeland
  • Battle of Belgium
  • Battle of France
Was Commander-in-Chief of the Netherlands army during the Battle of the Netherlands.[1]
Hein ter Poorten Hein ter Poorten.jpg Lieutenant General He spent the rest of the war in various prisoner of war camps, and in 1945 returned to the Netherlands. Died in 1968.
  • Netherlands East Indies campaign
  • Battle of Java island
Commander of the ABDA land forces in early 1942.
Navy Conrad Helfrich Luitenant-admiraal Helfrich (1946).jpg Vice Admiral Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion Died in 1962.
  • Netherlands East Indies campaign
  • Battle of the Java Sea
Commander of the ABDA Naval forces in 1942.
Karel Doorman Portrait of Karel Doorman as lieutenant-commander.jpg Rear admiral Knight of the Military William Order Died in Battle of the Java Sea.
  • Netherlands East Indies campaign
  • Battle of Makassar Strait
  • Battle of Badung Strait
  • 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 Theatres / Battles
Army Draža Mihailović Draza Mihailovic,1943.jpg General of the Army Legion of Merit Executed by Communists in 1946.
  • World War II in Yugoslavia
  • Chetniks
Led the Chetniks.
Josip Broz Tito Josip Broz Tito Bihać 1942.jpg Marshal Order of the National Hero Became President of Yugoslavia
  • World War II in Yugoslavia
  • Yugoslav Partisans
Led the People's Liberation Army.[1]

Dušan Simović
Milan Nedic

Canada[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Harry Crerar Crerar e010750463-v8.jpg General Order of the Companions of Honour Became a diplomat, postings in Czechoslovakia, Netherlands and Japan.
De facto commander-in-chief of the Canadian military.[1]
Guy Simonds Guy Simonds e010778918-v8.jpg Lieutenant General Companion of the Order of Canada In 1951 he was appointed Chief of the General Staff
Devised the Kangaroo armoured personnel carrier.[1]
Andrew McNaughton LGen Andrew McNaughton, 1942 cropped.jpg 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]
Air Force George Croil GM Croil RCAF.jpg Air Marshal Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Died in 1959 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
  • Defence of Canada
  • Overseas operations
Croil succeeded in obtaining the RCAF's independence from the Army just before the war. He was Chief of the Air Staff from 1938 to 1940 and Inspector-General of the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1940 to 1944.
Lloyd Samuel Breadner Lloyd Samuel Breadner RCAF.jpg Air Chief Marshal Companion of the Order of the Bath Retired after the war. Died in 1952 in Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Defence of Canada
  • Overseas operations
A decorated Royal Naval Air Service pilot in World War I, Breadner served as Chief of the Air Staff from 1940 to 1943 and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RCAF Overseas from 1944 to 1945. He was one of only two Canadian air chief marshals, the other being Frank Robert Miller.

South Africa[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Jan Smuts JanSmutsFM.png Field Marshal Légion d'honneur Croix de Commandeur Helped drafting of the United Nations Charter, died 11 September 1950
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]
Air Force Jimmy Durrant Major-General Companion of the Order of the Bath, Distinguished Flying Cross Resigned from the South African Air Force on 29 February 1952 citing irreconcilable differences with the Minister of Defence. Later a businessman and a Councillor in the Johannesburg City Council. Died in 1990.
  • Western Desert campaign
  • Strategic bombing of Germany
  • South-East Asian theatre
  • Warsaw airlift
Director-General of the South African Air Force from 1946 to 1952.

Luxembourg[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Émile Speller Major-Commandant Order of the Oak Crown Arrested by Germany in 1940 following the invasion of Luxembourg but later released, died 17 January 1952[9]
  • German invasion of Luxembourg

Axis Forces[]

Germany[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Wilhelm Keitel Bundesarchiv Bild 183-H30220, Wilhelm Keitel.jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Executed in 1946.
  • Oberkommando der Wehrmacht
Chief of the OKW during World War II. Was convicted of war crimes in the Nuremberg Trials and executed by the Allies.[1]
Alfred Jodl Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1971-033-01, Alfred Jodl.jpg Colonel General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Executed in 1946.
  • Oberkommando der Wehrmacht
Chief of the Operations Staff of the OKW.[1]
Heinrich Himmler Bundesarchiv Bild 183-S72707, Heinrich Himmler.jpg Reichsführer-SS Blood Order, Golden Nazi Party Chief of the SS during World War II.[1] Suicide, 1945.
  • Operation Konserve
  • Operation Nordwind
  • Colmar Pocket
  • Western Allied invasion of Germany
Military commander and a leading member of the Nazi Party (NSDAP) of Nazi Germany. Nazi leader Adolf Hitler later appointed him Commander of the Replacement (Home) Army and General Plenipotentiary for the administration of the entire Third Reich. Himmler was one of the most influential men in Nazi Germany and one of the persons most directly responsible for the Holocaust.
Walther von Brauchitsch Bundesarchiv Bild 183-E00780, Walther von Brauchitsch.jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Died in 1948.
  • Oberkommando des Heeres
  • Operation Barbarossa
Commander-in-Chief of the German Army 1938-1941.
Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist.jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Died in 1954 in a Soviet prison. Most senior German officer to die in a Soviet prison.
  • Invasion of Yugoslavia
  • Battle of Sedan (1940)
  • Battle of Dunkirk
  • Battle of Rostov (1941)
  • Battle of Brody (1941)
  • Case Blue
  • Battle of the Dnieper
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 Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1969-048B-01A, Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb.jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Died in 1956.
  • German occupation of Czechoslovakia
  • Battle of France
  • Operation Barbarossa
  • Siege of Leningrad
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 Bundesarchiv Bild 183-S37772, Gerd v. Rundstedt.jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords Died in 1953.
  • Invasion of Poland
  • Battle of Belgium
  • Battle of France
  • Battle of Sedan (1940)
  • Battle of Dunkirk
  • Dunkirk evacuation
  • Operation Barbarossa
  • Battle of Uman
  • Dieppe Raid
  • Battle of Kiev (1941)
  • Battle of Rostov (1941)
  • Battle of Normandy
  • Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine
  • Operation Market Garden
  • Battle of the Bulge
  • Western Allied invasion of Germany
  • Pointe du Hoc
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 Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1973-139-14, Günther v. Kluge.jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords 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 decided to commit suicide.[1]
Georg von Küchler Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R63872, Georg von Küchler.jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves Arrested in 1948 and sent to the Soviet Union by the Americans. Released in 1953.
Relieved von Leeb as commander of the siege of Leningrad. After this failed, withdrew Army Group North, which prevented its destruction.[1]
Fedor von Bock Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1977-120-11, Fedor von Bock.jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Was killed by a British fighter pilot in 1945 and became the only one of two of Adolf Hitler's field marshal's to die from enemy fire.
  • Invasion of Poland
  • Battle of the Netherlands
  • Battle of Belgium
  • Battle of France
  • Operation Barbarossa
  • Battle of Białystok-Minsk
  • Yelnya Offensive
  • Battle of Smolensk (1941)
  • Battle of Moscow
  • Second Battle of Kharkov
  • Case Blue
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. Was one of the senior Wehrmacht commanders before the outbreak of war. Play a decisive role in the defeat of Poland and France. Bock was German Army Group Center commander during Operation Barbarossa, after the defeat at Moscow was relieved of command by Hitler. After Reichenau death, he was appointed to take over Army Group South. He was instructmental in defeating Marshal Timoshenko forces at Kharkov. However, Hitler was displeased with Bock and dismissed him. Played no further part in the war[1]
Erich von Manstein Bundesarchiv Bild 183-H01757, Erich von Manstein.jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves and Swords Imprisoned after war, later released and served as senior advisor to the Bundeswehr.
  • Battle of France
  • Battle of Sevastopol
  • Siege of Odessa (1941)
  • Case Blue
  • Battle of Stalingrad
  • Operation Winter Storm
  • Third Battle of Kharkov
  • Battle of Kursk
  • Battle of the Dnieper
  • Battle of Kiev (1943)
  • Kamenets-Podolsky pocket
The master of mobile battle, authored the original Sichelschnitt plan, a plan which enabled Germany to capture France with minimal casualties. Manstein captured Sevastapol and was responsible for shoring up the Southern Front after the defeat at Stalingrad. He later recaptured Kharkov. After the defeat at Kursk, he successfully handled his army group retreat. However, he was dismissed by Hitler after frequently clashing with him in 1944. He then played no further part in the war from then on.[1]
Erwin Rommel Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1977-018-13A, Erwin Rommel(brighter).jpg Field Marshal Pour le Mérite, Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds Committed suicide after being implicated in the Valkyrie plot. Official cause of death by the State was succumbing to wounds from an Allied air attack.
  • Battle of France
  • Battle of Arras (1940)
  • Siege of Lille (1940)
  • North African Campaign
  • Western Desert Campaign
  • Operation Sonnenblume
  • Siege of Tobruk
  • Operation Brevity
  • Operation Battleaxe
  • Operation Crusader
  • Battle of Gazala
  • Battle of Bir Hakeim
  • First Battle of El Alamein
  • Battle of Alam Halfa
  • Second Battle of El Alamein
  • Battle of El Agheila
  • Tunisia Campaign
  • Battle of the Kasserine Pass
  • Battle of Medenine
  • Battle of Normandy
  • Battle for Caen
Nicknamed The Desert Fox, Rommel 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 World War II, he made an immediate impact in the Saharan desert, conquering all of West Africa and threatening to reach Suez. A number of factors such as stretching supply lines and the reinforcement of Allied military power (both in Morocco 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. Rommel failed to stop the allied invasion of Normandy. Though typically linked to the assassination of Hitler, Rommel likely 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 committed suicide in order to avoid trial after the war.[1]
Walter Model Walther Model on the front.jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds Committed suicide in 1945.
  • Battle of Moscow
  • Battles of Rzhev
  • Operation Mars
  • Battle of Kursk
  • Leningrad–Novgorod Offensive
  • Operation Tractable
  • Battle of Chambois
  • Hill 262
  • Falaise pocket
  • Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine
  • Operation Market Garden
  • Operation Bagration
  • Battle of Hürtgen Forest
  • Operation Queen
  • Battle of the Bulge
  • Western Allied invasion of Germany
German Army officer whose expertise in defensive warfare earned him the nickname of the 'Führer's fireman'[1]
Heinz Guderian Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-139-1112-17, Heinz Guderian.jpg Colonel General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Died in 1954.
  • Oberkommando des Heeres
  • Battle of Wizna
  • Battle of Kobryń
  • Invasion of Luxembourg
  • Battle of France
  • Battle of Sedan (1940)
  • Battle of Montcornet
  • Battle of Boulogne (1940)
  • Battle of Smolensk (1941)
  • Operation Wotan
  • Battle of Moscow
Early pioneer of Blitzkrieg tactics. Chief of OKH General Staff 1944-1945.[1]
Friedrich Paulus Bundesarchiv Bild 183-B24575, Friedrich Paulus.jpg Generalfeldmarschall Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Soviet captivity until 1953. Became a vocal critic of the Nazi regime.
Commander of the disastrous campaign in the Battle of Stalingrad.
Josef Dietrich Bundesarchiv Bild 183-J27366, Sepp Dietrich.jpg SS-Oberst-Gruppenführer Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds Sentenced to life, reduced to 25 years imprisonment in 1946. Promoted welfare of ex-servicemen on release.
  • Battle of Vevi (1941)
  • Battle of Kleisoura Pass
  • Operation Perch
  • Operation Epsom
  • Operation Charnwood
  • Operation Goodwood
  • Battle of Verrières Ridge
  • Operation Spring
  • Battle for Caen
  • Battle of the Bulge
  • Operation Spring Awakening
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 became the commander of 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, General of the Waffen-SS and member of the Prussian state council. Dietrich came into prominence for his role in the Battle of the Bulge 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]
Air force Hermann Göring Goeringcaptivity2.jpg Reichsmarschall Grand Cross of the Iron Cross Committed suicide after being sentenced to death for war crimes.
  • Oberkommando der Luftwaffe
  • Rotterdam Blitz
  • Battle of France
  • Battle of Britain
  • Battle of the Atlantic
  • Battle of Berlin
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 command. Commander-in-Chief of Luftwaffe 1935-1945. He was involved with the running of Germany and the war, including implementation of the Holocaust.[1]
Albert Kesselring Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R93434, Albert Kesselring.jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds Died in 1960 at the age of 75.
  • Oberkommando der Luftwaffe
  • Invasion of Poland
  • Battle of France
  • Battle of Britain
  • Battle of Moscow
  • Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II
  • North African Campaign
  • Tunisia Campaign
  • Siege of Malta (World War II)
  • Italian Campaign (World War II)
  • Western Allied invasion of Germany
Was commander-in-chief of Luftwaffe South (1941–1943), then South-west (1943–1945), then West Europe (1945). Chief of the defense of Italy against the allies during the prolonged battles of Anzio and Monte Cassino. Was a leader in the defense of Germany at the end of the war. Kesselring was admired by both sides of the war and was responsible for protecting priceless artworks and even the City of Rome from destruction.[1]
Wolfram Freiherr von Richthofen Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-452-0985-36, Russland, Generäle Löhr und W. v. Richthofen (cropped).jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Died in 1945.
  • Battle of France
  • Battle of Montcornet
  • Case Blue
  • Battle of Greece
  • Battle of Stalingrad
Robert Ritter von Greim Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-401-0204-25, Robert Ritter v. Greim.jpg Field Marshal Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds Committed suicide in 1945.
  • Western Front (World War II)
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
An ace of World War I and winner of the prestigious Pour le Mérite 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 was loyal to Hitler to the end, flying in on 26 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]
Kurt Student Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1979-128-26, Bernhard-Hermann Ramcke, Kurt Student crop.jpg General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves Held as a Prisoner of War by the British and freed in 1948.
  • Battle of Rotterdam
  • Balkan Campaign (World War II)
  • Battle of Crete
  • Operation Market Garden
  • Battle of Overloon
An ace of World War I. Before World War II, trained troops in airborne operations. Commanded 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]
Navy Erich Raeder Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1980-128-63, Erich Raeder.jpg Grand Admiral Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Died in 1960.
  • Oberkommando der Marine
  • German occupation of Norway
  • Battle of the Atlantic
  • Operation Sea Lion
Commander-in-Chief of Kriegsmarine 1936-1943.[1]
Karl Dönitz Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1976-127-06A, Karl Dönitz.jpg Grand Admiral Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Briefly became President of Germany. Spent 10 years in prison. Died in 1980.
  • Oberkommando der Marine
  • Battle of the Atlantic
Commander-in-Chief of Kriegsmarine 1943-1945.[1]

Italy[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army
Pietro Badoglio Pietro Badoglio 3.jpg Marshal of Italy Knight of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation Succeeded Mussolini and arranged an Armistice of his country with the Allies. Died in 1956 of natural causes (Cardiac asthma).
  • Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II
  • Adriatic Campaign of World War II
Was not in favour of Italy's alliance to Germany, and resigned after the Battle of Greece.[1]
Rodolfo Graziani Rodolfo Graziani 1940 (Retouched).jpg Marshal of Italy Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Graziani was sentenced to 19 years in jail but only 4 months were served. Died in 1955.
  • North African Campaign
  • Italian Campaign
  • Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II
Viceroy of Italian East Africa, Governor-General of Italian Libya, Minister of Defense of RSI.
Ugo Cavallero Marshal of Italy Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Committed suicide in 1943 after alienating both Germany and non-fascist Italy.
  • Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II
  • Adriatic Campaign of World War II
  • North African Campaign
  • Balkan Campaign (World War II)
  • Greco-Italian War
  • Capture of Klisura Pass
  • Battle of Greece
Chief of the Italian Supreme Command 1940–1943.[1]
Giovanni Messe Giovanni Messe.jpg Marshal of Italy Grand Officer of the Military Order of Savoy Became a member of the Italian Senate. Died in 1968.
Commander of the Italian Expeditionary Corps in Russia
Ettore Bastico Ettore Bastico.jpg Marshal of Italy Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic Marshal of Italy and high rank officer during North Africa Campaign. Died in 1972.
  • North African Campaign
Governor of the Italian Aegean Islands and Libya.
Mario Roatta Mario Roatta portrait.jpg General Silver Medal of Military Valor (3) Removed from service by Badoglio in 1943 under Allies' request. He later fled to Spain living under protection of Francisco Franco. In Italy he was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment but his sentence was overturned in 1948. Died in 1968.
  • Battle of Málaga
  • Battle of Guadalajara
  • World War II in Yugoslavia
  • Invasion of Yugoslavia
  • Case White
General of the Italian Second Army known for his cruelty against civilians in the Italian-occupied Yugoslavia and for the deportation of many Slavs to the Rab concentration camp.
Alfredo Guzzoni Alfredo guzzoni.jpg General Commander of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Died in 1965.
  • Italian invasion of France
  • Allied invasion of Sicily
Commander-in-Chief of Army Group Liguria.
Vittorio Ambrosio VittorioAmbrosio.jpg General Commander of the Military Order of Savoy Was Chief of Staff of the Italian Army. Was demoted to Inspector-General of Army by Badoglio because the Allies didn't trust him. Died in 1958.
  • Invasion of Yugoslavia
Served an instrumental role in the fall of Benito Mussolini and the breakdown of the alliance between Italy and Germany.
Giuseppe Castellano Giuseppe Castellano.jpg General Bronze Medal of Military Valor Negotiated the armistice between Italy and the Allied armed forces in September 1943. Died in 1977.
  • Invasion of Yugoslavia
Emilio de Bono De Bono1.jpg Marshal of Italy Knight of the Supreme Order of the Most Holy Annunciation He was one of the members of the Fascist Grand Council who voted oust Benito Mussolini. After Mussolini was put in charge of the Italian Social Republic, de Bono was sentenced to death after the Verona trial in 1944.
  • Second Italo-Ethiopian War
Navy Arturo Riccardi ADM Arturo Riccardi.png Admiral Grand Officer of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Removed from office by Badoglio. Died in 1966.
  • Battle of the Mediterranean
Served as Chief of staff of the Italian Navy.
Angelo Iachino Angelo Iachino.jpg Admiral Grand Officer of the Order of the Crown of Italy Died in 1976.
Commander of the Italian Naval Academy
Junio Valerio Borghese Borghese.jpg Frigate captain Knight of the Military Order of Savoy Died under mysterious circumstances in 1974. His death could be compatible with arsenic poisoning.[10]
  • Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II
  • Raid on Alexandria
Known for his neofascist activism in post-war Italy and for the Golpe Borghese.
Inigo Campioni Admiral Inigo Campioni.jpg Admiral Grand Officer of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Executed by a firing squad at Parma on 24 May 1944 after being convicted of high treason by the military tribunal of the Italian Social Republic.
  • Battle of the Mediterranean
  • Battle of Calabria
  • Battle of Taranto
  • Operation White
  • Battle of Cape Spartivento
  • Dodecanese Campaign
Giuseppe Fioravanzo Giuseppe Fioravanzo.jpg Admiral Military Order of Italy Died in 1975.
  • Operation Harpoon
  • Battle of Cape Matapan
Alberto Da Zara Alberto Da Zara.jpg Admiral Military Order of Italy Died in 1951.
  • Operation Pedestal
  • Operation Harpoon
Air Force Italo Balbo Italo Balbo.jpg Marshal of the Air Force Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Killed by friendly fire over Tobruk in 1940.
  • North African Campaign
Governor-General of Libya, Commander-in-Chief of Italian North Africa.
Rino Corso Fougier Rino Corso Fougier.jpg Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus Served as the commander of the Corpo Aereo Italiano. Served as the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force between 1941 and 1943. Died in 1963.
  • Battle of Britain
Commanded the Regia Aeronautica between 1941 and 1943.
Francesco Pricolo Gen Francesco Pricolo.png Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force Military Order of Savoy Served as the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force from 1939 to 1941. Died in 1980
  • Siege of Malta

Japan[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Hideki Tojo Hideki Tojo.jpg General Order of the Rising Sun Executed in 1948.
  • Supreme War Council
  • Second Sino-Japanese War
  • Pacific War
Prime minister of Japan and President of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association in 1941-1944 was also a military commander. Chief of the Army General Staff in 1944.[1]
Hajime Sugiyama Hajime Sugiyama.jpg Field Marshal Order of the Rising Sun Committed suicide shortly after the end of the war.
  • Supreme War Council
  • Second Sino-Japanese War
  • Pacific War
Chief of the Army General Staff 1940-1944.[1]
Prince Kotohito Kan'in Prince Kanin Kotohito.jpg Field Marshal Order of the Chrysanthemum Died in 1945
  • Supreme War Council
  • Second Sino-Japanese War
  • Battle of Wuhan
  • Pacific War
Chief of staff of the Army, 1931–1940
Hisaichi Terauchi Hisaichi Terauchi 2.jpg Field Marshal Order of the Rising Sun Died in a prisoner of war camp in Malaya June 1946.
  • South West Pacific theatre of World War II
  • Kokoda Track campaign
  • South-East Asian theatre of World War II
  • Battle of Mount Song
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 Shunroku Hata.jpg Field Marshal Order of the Rising Sun Sentenced to imprisonment.
  • Second Sino-Japanese War
  • Battle of Taierzhuang
  • Battle of Wuhan
  • Zhejiang-Jiangxi Campaign
  • Battle of Henan-Hunan-Guangxi
Commanded the Second General Army, based in Hiroshima from 1944 to 1945 in preparation for the anticipated Allied invasion of the Japanese home islands.
Tomoyuki Yamashita Yamashita Tomoyuki.jpg General Order of the Rising Sun Executed at 1946.
  • South-East Asian theatre of World War II
  • Japanese invasion of Thailand
  • Malayan Campaign
  • Battle of Kampar
  • Battle of Singapore
  • Invasion of Sumatra
  • Battle of Leyte
  • Battle of Ormoc Bay
  • Invasion of Lingayen Gulf
  • Battle of Luzon
  • Battle of Bessang Pass
  • Raid at Cabanatuan
  • Battle of Maguindanao
Forced the surrender of the allies in the Battle of Singapore. Defender of the Philippines against MacArthur. an American military tribunal in Manila tried General Yamashita for war crimes relating to the Manila Massacre and many atrocities in the Philippines and Singapore against civilians and prisoners of war, such as the Sook Ching massacre, and sentenced him to death. This controversial case has become a precedent regarding the command responsibility for war crimes and is known as the Yamashita Standard.[1]
Iwane Matsui Iwane Matsui.jpg General Order of the Rising Sun Retired 1938, executed in 1948.
  • Second Sino-Japanese War
  • Battle of Shanghai
  • Battle of Nanjing
Arrested by the American occupation authorities after the surrender of Japan, Matsui was charged with war crimes in connection with the actions of the Japanese army in China also known as The Nanking Massacre. In 1948, the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE) found him guilty of class B and C war crimes, and he was hanged that December at Sugamo Prison, alongside six others, including Hideki Tojo. He was 70 at the time of his death.
Navy Osami Nagano Osami Nagano.jpg Fleet Admiral Order of the Rising Sun Died of a heart attack in 1947.
  • Supreme War Council
  • Pacific War
Chief of the Navy General Staff, 1941-1944.
Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu.jpg Fleet Admiral Order of the Chrysanthemum Died in 1946.
  • Supreme War Council
  • Pacific War
Chief of staff of the Navy, 1932-1941.
Isoroku Yamamoto Yamamoto-Isoroku.jpg Fleet Admiral Order of the Chrysanthemum The plane carrying him was shot down in 1943.
  • Pacific Ocean theatre of World War II
  • Attack on Pearl Harbor
  • Battle of Midway
  • Solomon Islands campaign
  • Invasion of Tulagi (May 1942)
  • Guadalcanal Campaign
  • Battle of Savo Island
  • Battle of the Eastern Solomons
  • Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands
  • Naval Battle of Guadalcanal
  • Battle of Rennell Island
  • Operation Ke
  • Operation I-Go
Commander of the Dec. 7, 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy 1939-1943. Isoroku Yamamoto, was killed on Bougainville Island when his transport bomber aircraft was shot down by United States Army Air Forces fighter aircraft operating from Kukum Field on Guadalcanal.[1]
Mineichi Koga Koga Mineichi 3.jpg Fleet Admiral Order of the Rising Sun Killed in plane crash 1944.
  • Pacific Ocean theatre of World War II
  • Battle of Hong Kong
  • Bombing of Rabaul (November 1943)
Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy 1943-1944.[1]
Soemu Toyoda Toyoda Soemu.JPG Admiral Order of the Rising Sun Died in 1957 at the age of 73.
  • Supreme War Council
  • Pacific War
Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Navy 1944-1945, Chief of staff of the Navy 1945.[1]
Chūichi Nagumo Chuichi Nagumo.jpg Admiral Order of the Rising Sun Committed suicide in 1944 during the battle of Saipan.
  • Attack on Pearl Harbor
  • Indian Ocean raid
  • Bombing of Darwin
  • Battle of Midway
  • Battle of the Eastern Solomons
  • Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands
  • 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]
Jisaburō Ozawa Ozawa11.jpg Vice Admiral Order of the Sacred Treasure Died in 1966.
  • Invasion of Sumatra (1942)
  • Battle of Palembang
  • Battle of the Philippine Sea
  • Battle of Leyte Gulf
Replaced Toyoda in 1945 to become commander-in-chief of the Japanese Combined Fleet[1]

Masaharu Homma

Hungary[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Gusztáv Jány Jány Gusztáv.jpg Colonel General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Sentenced to death in 1947.
Commanders of the Hungarian Second Army at Battle of Stalingrad.
Dezső László Dezso Laszlo.png Colonel General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Sentenced to death in 1949.
  • Battle of the Dukla Pass
  • Battle of Budapest
Commanders of the Hungarian First Army at Battle of Budapest
Géza Lakatos LakatosGéza Portrait 1940s.jpg Colonel General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Died in 1967, Australia at the age of 77.
Was a colonel general in the Hungarian Army during World War II who served briefly as Prime Minister of Hungary, under governor Miklós Horthy from 29 August 1944, until 15 October 1944.
Ferenc Szombathelyi Colonel General Order of Merit of the Kingdom of Hungary Died in 1946.
  • Operation Barbarossa
  • Hungarian occupation of Yugoslav territories
Served as Chief of Army Staff of the Royal Hungarian Army.
Ferenc Feketehalmy-Czeydner Ferenc Feketehalmy-Czeydner.jpg Colonel General Order of Merit of the Kingdom of Hungary Died in 1946.
  • Hungarian occupation of Yugoslav territories
Had a significant role in the Novi Sad massacre.
Béla Miklós Dálnoki Miklós Béla 1942-11.png Colonel General Order of Vitéz Died in 1948.
  • Operation Panzerfaust
Commanded the Hungarian First Army. He supported leaving the Axis powers and joining the Red Army.

Thailand[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Plaek Phibunsongkhram Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram.jpg Field Marshal Order of the Nine Gems Later ousted after the defeat of the Japanese, only to return to power in 1948 and become Prime Minister until 1957.
  • South-East Asian theatre of World War II
  • French-Thai War
  • Japanese invasion of Thailand
  • Malayan Campaign
  • Burma Campaign
Prime Minister and dictator of Thailand during the war, eventually commanding Thai forces during the French-Thai War.
Jarun Rattanakun Seriroengrit Jarun Rattanakun Seriroengrit.jpg Lieutenant general Order of the Crown of Thailand Commander of an infantry battalion and took part in the invasion and occupation of the Shan States in Burma.
  • Japanese conquest of Burma
Commander of Phayap Army during the Pacific War.

Romania[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Ion Antonescu Ion antonescu.png Marshal of Romania Order of Michael the Brave 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 the Battle of Stalingrad, he started negotiating for peace[citation needed]. His career ended in 1944 when he was arrested by King Michael, who signed an armistice with the Allies.[1]
Petre Dumitrescu Petre Dumitrescu.JPG General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Died in 1950 after a bout with cancer.
Commanded the Romanian First Army between 1940 and 1941. Commanded the Romanian Third Army between 1941 and 1944.
Constantin Constantinescu-Claps General Order of Michael the Brave Died in 1961.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
  • Battle of Stalingrad
Commanded the Romanian Fourth Army between 1941 and 1943.
Gheorghe Avramescu Gheorghe Avramescu.jpg General German Cross in Gold Died in 1945.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
Commanded the Romanian Mountain Corps between 1941 and 1943. Commanded the Romanian Fourth Army between 1944 and 1945.
Ioan Mihail Racoviță MihailRacovita.jpg General Order of Michael the Brave Died in 1954.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
Commanded the Romanian Cavalry Corps between 1941 and 1943. Commanded the Romanian Mechanized Troops between 1943 and 1944.
Vasile Atanasiu Vasile Atanasiu.png General Order of the White Lion Died in 1964.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
  • Prague Offensive
Commanded the 3rd Army Corps in the liberation of Bessarabia, the battle for the beachhead of Albiţa on the Prut River, the advance to the Dniester at Tiraspol between 1941 and 1943. Commanded the Romanian First Army in 1945, in the battles on the Czechoslovakian front in the Javorina, between the rivers Hron and Morava and thereafter in Bohemia.
Mihail Lascăr Gen mihail lascar-177072629.jpg General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Died in 1959.
Commanded the 1st Mixed Mountain Brigade, an elite unit of the Romanian Third Army between 1941 and 1942. Commanded the 6th Division of the Romanian Third Army in 1942. Was taken prisoner at the Battle of Stalingrad and became commander of the Romanian Fourth Army in 1945.
Constantin Sănătescu ConstantinSanatescu.jpg General Died in 1948.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
Commanded the 4th Army Corps between 1941 and 1943. Commanded the Romanian Fourth Army between 1943 and 1944. Major participant in the 1944 Romanian coup d'état.
Constantin Nicolescu ConstantinNicolaescu.jpg Lieutenant General Order of Michael the Brave Died in 1972.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
Commanded the Bucharest Military between 1941 and 1943. Commanded the 4th Army Corps between 1943 and 1944. Was among the generals who prepared the King Michael Coup, and from November 1944 until the abolition of the monarchy in December 1947 served as head of the royal household.
Corneliu Dragalina Corneliu Dragalina.jpg Lieutenant General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Died in 1949.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
Commanded the 6th Army Corps between 1940 and 1943.
Ioan Dumitrache Ioan Dumitrache.jpg Major General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Died in 1977.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
Commanded the 2nd Mountain Division between 1942 and 1944. Was promoted to major general in 1944 and commanded the Romanian Mountain Corps.
Gheorghe Manoliu General Gheorghe-Manoliu 4th Romanian Mountain Division.jpg Major General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Died in 1974.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
Commanded the 4th Mountain Division between 1940 and 1942. Was promoted to major general in 1943 and commanded the 4th Army Corps.
Emanoil Bârzotescu Emanoil Barzotescu.png Major General Order of the Crown (Romania) Died in 1968.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
Commanded the 1st Infantry Division between 1940 and 1942. Retired in 1942 and was recalled in 1945. Commanded the 6th Crops Area in 1945.
Dumitru Dămăceanu General Dumitru Damaceanu 1945.jpg Brigadier General Order of Michael the Brave Died in 1978.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
Commanded the 10th Cavalry Regiment between 1941 and 1942. Chief of Staff in Bucharest Military between 1942 and 1944. Major participant in King Michael's Coup of 1944.
Leonard Mociulschi Leonard Mociulschi.jpg Brigadier General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Died in 1979.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
Commanded the 1st Mixed Mountain Brigade, an elite unit of the Romanian Third Army between 1940 and 1941. Commanded the 3rd Mixed Mountain Brigade between 1942 and 1943.
Corneliu Teodorini Corneliu Teodorini.jpg Brigadier General Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves Died in 1976.
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
Commanded the 6th Cavalry Regiment.
Navy Horia Macellariu Romanian Rear Admiral Horia Macellariu.jpg Rear Admiral Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Died in 1989.
Commanded the Royal Romanian Navy's Black Sea Fleet between 1941 and 1944.

Slovakia[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Ferdinand Čatloš Major General Was briefly imprisoned, set free in 1948, died in 1972.
  • Invasion of Poland
  • Eastern Front (World War II)
  • Slovak National Uprising
Slovakian Minister of Defence and Chief General Staff.

Bulgaria[]

Air force Stoyan Stoyanov

Others[]

Finland[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim.png Marshal of Finland Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Liberty Succeeded Risto Ryti as President of Finland. Died in 1951
Was Commander-in-Chief of Finnish army during World War II. Organised the Mannerheim Line in the Karelian Peninsula.[1]
Karl Lennart Oesch Karl oesch.jpg Lieutenant General Mannerheim Cross Died in 1978
An influential Finnish general. II Corps and III Corps of the Finnish ground forces were under his command at the end of the Continuation War.
Ruben Lagus Ruben lagus.jpg Lieutenant General Mannerheim Cross Died in 1959.
Commanded the Finnish Armoured Division (Panssaridivisioona) during the Lapland War.
Erik Heinrichs A heinrichs.jpg General Mannerheim Cross Died in 1965.
Commanded the Army of Karelia and the Army of the Isthmus.
Vilho Nenonen Nenonen3.jpg General Mannerheim Cross Died in 1960.
  • Winter War
  • Continuation War
He was extremely influential in the development of the Finnish Army's artillery. The trajectory calculation formulas he developed are still in use today by modern artillery.
Paavo Talvela Paavo Talvela.png General Mannerheim Cross Died in 1973.
He commanded the Finnish III Corps in the Winter War from February 1940 to the end of the Winter War.

Burma[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Aung San Aung San in uniform.jpg Major General Order of the Star of the Revolution Arranged for the establishment of Burmese independence, assassinated under mysterious circumstances in 1947.
  • South-East Asian theatre of World War II
  • Burma Campaign
Led the Burma National Army and the Anti-Fascist Organisation.

Ukraine[]

Armed Force Name Highest Rank Highest Award Fate Theatres / Battles
Army Roman Shukhevych Roman Shukhevych.jpg General Gold Cross of Combat Merit First Class, the Cross of Merit in gold Died fighting NKVD forces in Lviv in 1950.
  • Ukraine anti partisan operations
Supreme commander of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.

See also[]

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

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: 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 I.C.B Dear; M.R.D. Foot (2005). Oxford Companion to the Second World War (paperback ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-280666-6.
  2. ^ Lord Ismay (2001). NATO, the first 5 years. NATO archives.
  3. ^ C A Portal_P
  4. ^ Ossad, Steven L., Command Failures: Lessons Learned from Lloyd R. Fredendall, Army Magazine, March 2003
  5. ^ "Fleet Admiral Halsey Jr Profile at Naval Historical center". Retrieved 3 January 2007.
  6. ^ Youngest General WW1 Archived 15 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Freyberg - Archives from Italy
  8. ^ "He fought to the bitter end". Archived from the original on 15 March 2008.
  9. ^ "Décès du Colonel E. Speller, Aide de Camp de S. A. R. Madame la Grande-Duchesse de Luxembourg:" (PDF). Grand Duché de Luxembourg Ministére D'État Bulletin D'Information (in French). 8 (12). Luxembourg: Service information et presse. 29 February 1952. p. 30. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
  10. ^ Incerti, Corrado. "Borghese: indigestione o veleno?" (PDF). Retrieved 8 December 2014.
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