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For sheer scope and number of operations that he bore responsibility, General Georgy Zhukov immediately comes to mind. He was awarded so many honors that Stalin became jealous of his rising popularity, and caused Zhukov to seek a healthier low profile at the end of the war. Despite operating in the shadow of Zhukov, General Vasily Chuikov certainly earns a place in the pantheon of great WWII generals for his incredible defense of Stalingrad.
On the German side, General Erich von Manstein, who had spirited disagreements with Hitler, is often named as Germany's ablest general and perhaps the most brilliant of the war. An honorable mention should be given General Heinz Guderian, who was hobbled by Hitler's meddling and erratic leadership and was finally sidelined.
George Patton. If he had his way, instead of being murdered,
there wouldn't have been a Soviet Union or a Cold War.
Let me fix that for you...
George Patton. If he had his way, instead of dieing in a traffic accident, he may have provoked a war with the Soviet Union that would have seen the Soviets steamroll over all of Western Europe and made what became the Cold War decidedly hot.
Top. Commanders who preferably led army groups or armies.
My picks...
For the UK: Montgomery
For the US: Patton
For the Soviets: Ivan Konev, Aleksandr Vasilevsky and Nikolai Vatutin
For the Germans: Guderian, Model, Manstein and Rundstedt
The scale of the Eastern Front made for several great commanders that you could pick. I bolded my "one pick" among the group if I had to choose. For Germany, I almost added Sepp Dietrich, but he was a much better division commander then he was an army commander. However, he does earn bonus points for making great general staff selections to compliment his weaknesses.
George Patton. If he had his way, instead of dieing in a traffic accident, he may have provoked a war with the Soviet Union that would have seen the Soviets steamroll over all of Western Europe and made what became the Cold War decidedly hot.
hmmm..just wondering if say the Army College ever war-gameed that scenario? Because it would be intriguing to see all the problems Patton could have caused as well as maybe solved for the future. I'd say Patton certainly knew what he was good at and left the diplomats to the diplomatic corps. No way with his personality that he could do that or would even want to do that kind of job. He was made for war and I'd say he definitely was itching to fight the Soviets. Of course, he didn't trust them at all. Historically we missed a Patton-Soviet bust-up and I'm sure he would have loved nothing more than to meet his Soviet counterparts on the field of battle. And heck no doubt in his plans he'd even have a push on to Moscow....the hell with politics. It would be maneuver, maneuver, go go go. But I figure Eisenhower probably teared his hair out with the General when it came to the Soviets.
George Patton. If he had his way, instead of being murdered,
there wouldn't have been a Soviet Union or a Cold War.
It doesn't appear that Patton was murdered.
In response to the OP's question: Erich von Manstein and/or Heinz Guderian might veryw ell be at or near the top due to their success in defeating and capturing France in 1940.
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Best military Commander of World War 2 in Europe
