Greatest WWII Military Commanders: Updated

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The man in the picture is Otto Skorzeny.

He was an Obersturmbannführer (Lieutenant Colonel) in the Waffen SS.
Otto Skorzeny - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[parsifal]

Well, in the sense of the larger unit commanders, I dont think Skorzeny could reasonably be included, any more than the great british commando leaders, like Stirling or Bagnold could be included.

For the record, however, I do think that Skorzeny was one of the most effective commandoes of his time, and certainly deserves a great ddeal of respect

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Originally Posted by parsifal

Well, in the sense of the larger unit commanders, I dont think Skorzeny could reasonably be included, any more than the great british commando leaders, like Stirling or Bagnold could be included.

I don't know, I did not throw him in the pot.

[freebird]

Originally Posted by parsifal

Well, in the sense of the larger unit commanders, I dont think Skorzeny could reasonably be included, any more than the great british commando leaders, like Stirling or Bagnold could be included.

For the record, however, I do think that Skorzeny was one of the most effective commandoes of his time, and certainly deserves a great ddeal of respect

Yes, you are right about that.

[Burmese Bandit]

OOOps....

I didn't read the poll carefully and thought it meant Military leaders instead of Military commanders and so I voted for George Marshall!!!!

[steelDUST]

Gen. Douglas MacArthur is, for me, the greatest WW2 general.
With fewer casualties of troops in comparison to eisenhower, montgomery, patton, and even rommel, with even fewer war materials used, MacArthur is definitely the best WW2 general.

[HerrKaleut]

Unless I missed it on a page somewhere, why has nobody mentioned Karl Doenitz?

[Cromwell]

I know it has been chewed over many times, but how an efficient commander like Montgomery allowed such a stupendous coke-up as Market Garden puzzles me endlessly.

Even the radio sets had the wrong crystals and when intelligence officers tried to point out the presence of Panzers in the region, they shrugged it off as scare-mongering etc.

Un-real

I therefore say that all military commanders are only as good as their last victory.

[freebird]

Originally Posted by Cromwell

I know it has been chewed over many times, but how an efficient commander like Montgomery allowed such a stupendous coke-up as Market Garden puzzles me endlessly.
.

Monty has been harshly critisized for the plan, but overall it was not a bad plan, and even with all the "****-ups" very nearly succeeded, as they almost captured the Arnhem bridge.

It was a big gamble, which {they supposed} if it succeeded would prevent a long nasty slog similar to the Italian campaign.

If it failed, it would cost about 10,000 paratroops, which could be replaced. They decided it was worth the gamble.


To be fair, things like the wrong crystals or the poor para DZ's are not Monty's responsibility, alot of leaders dropped the ball on this one

[Cromwell]

Yes, it does seem that Monty was not well-advised or supported in retrospect. It was almost as if they (his supporting cast) were becoming *complacent* or perhaps jaded and war-weary ?

Still, it must rate as one of the greatest reversals Post D-Day BAR 'The Bulge' of course !

- and Monty must take at least some responsibility for the failure, after all it was his show, and he was in a position to select his subordinates to some degree.

BUT most battle plans go to pot within about 5 minutes of the action starting, especially where airborne forces are involved.

They never seem to land in the right place !!


Crom

Originally Posted by freebird

Monty has been harshly critisized for the plan, but overall it was not a bad plan, and even with all the "****-ups" very nearly succeeded, as they almost captured the Arnhem bridge.

It was a big gamble, which {they supposed} if it succeeded would prevent a long nasty slog similar to the Italian campaign.

If it failed, it would cost about 10,000 paratroops, which could be replaced. They decided it was worth the gamble.

To be fair, things like the wrong crystals or the poor para DZ's are not Monty's responsibility, a lot of leaders dropped the ball on this one

[Amsel]

I had to vote for Hugh Dowding. Without him who knows what might have happened if the Battle of Britain was lost.

[pbfoot]

I think the forerunners of Dowding should get more acclaim then him. It was guys like Freeman and Ellington that got the Spits and Hurricanes and radar , they had foresight to make sure the Merlins were 100 octane capable in 37 and also were the people that got the Mosquito on line , Dowding had all the weapons he needed thanks to Freeman and Ellington and Newell

[Cromwell]

It is a sad fact, almost a platitude or by-word, that credit is rarely distributed fairly or to the right person

My father, bless his soul, made several unique discoveries or innovations during the war - but could never talk about them for decades due to the official secrets act. Neither could he make money out his discoveries either, for the same reason(s)


There must be 100s of stories of lost or mis-placed credit, in combat or further back in the supporting ranks.

What can you do ?

Originally Posted by pbfoot

I think the forerunners of Dowding should get more acclaim then him. It was guys like Freeman and Ellington that got the Spits and Hurricanes and radar , they had foresight to make sure the Merlins were 100 octane capable in 37 and also were the people that got the Mosquito on line , Dowding had all the weapons he needed thanks to Freeman and Ellington and Newell

[Amsel]

Originally Posted by pbfoot

I think the forerunners of Dowding should get more acclaim then him. It was guys like Freeman and Ellington that got the Spits and Hurricanes and radar , they had foresight to make sure the Merlins were 100 octane capable in 37 and also were the people that got the Mosquito on line , Dowding had all the weapons he needed thanks to Freeman and Ellington and Newell

While that is all true and great, Dowding is the one who organized the fierce resistance in the air, facing several challenges from his own goverment as well as the pesky huns. If Dowding wasn't so resolute then Churchill might have used up all the Spitfires in the Battle of France, etc etc.

[freebird]

Originally Posted by Amsel

While that is all true and great, Dowding is the one who organized the fierce resistance in the air, facing several challenges from his own goverment as well as the pesky huns. If Dowding wasn't so resolute then Churchill might have used up all the Spitfires in the Battle of France, etc etc.

Spot on!

Churchill was ready to thow everything into the defence of France, and the cupboard would be bare for the BoB