The best generals of the 20th century

[rupol2000]

Let's make a list, independent of political convictions, who in the 20th century proved to be a talented, outstanding military specialist. This must be argued why.

For now, I am presenting the candidacy of Ahmad Shah Massoud. He won all battles against the Soviet troops, although the forces and resources of the USSR were much greater. Even Soviet generals, his enemies recognized his military talents.
If someone understands the warrior's science, you can discuss a specific strategy and tactics, that would be great.

 

[Couchpotato]

Mattis
Patton
Rommel
McArthur
Yamamoto
Puller
Spruance
Zhukov

There's lots more but that's a decent start.

 

[whitehall]

Massoud wasn't a general, he was the strong armed hired killer for the Afghan government. How is it possible to compare U.S. and allied generals to riff-raff like Massoud and our enemies? U.S. General George Patton was chastised by the Military and the press for slapping a hysterical Soldier. The freaking Russians used to shoot their own for refusing to fight. What I am saying is that there is no way in the world to compare the honorable U.S. Military to Japanese or Russians or terrorists like Massoud. Restrict the discussion to the best American military leaders of the 20th century and you might get a lively discussion.

 

[LuckyDuck]

Mattis
Patton
Rommel
McArthur
Yamamoto
Puller
Spruance
Zhukov

There's lots more but that's a decent start.

The opinion held about Patton by his fellow generals at the time wasn't favorable, however, they did know that once you let him off the leash he would just charge forward when needed and contrary to the movie "Patton," Bradley wasn't fond of Patton. Ultimately he was considered too reckless, but that recklessness came in handy when needed.

 

[Couchpotato]

The opinion held about Patton by his fellow generals at the time wasn't favorable, however, they did know that once you let him off the leash he would just charge forward when needed and contrary to the movie "Patton," Bradley wasn't fond of Patton. Ultimately he was considered too reckless, but that recklessness came in handy when needed.

It’s not a popularity contest. Patton was a warrior monk, Mattis is much like him. A lot if other Generals didn’t/don’t like Mattis either, mostly because they dont care if other Generals like them, but their troops would run through walls for them.

 

[rupol2000]

Massoud wasn't a general, he was the strong armed hired killer for the Afghan government. How is it possible to compare U.S. and allied generals to riff-raff like Massoud and our enemies? U.S. General George Patton was chastised by the Military and the press for slapping a hysterical Soldier. The freaking Russians used to shoot their own for refusing to fight. What I am saying is that there is no way in the world to compare the honorable U.S. Military to Japanese or Russians or terrorists like Massoud. Restrict the discussion to the best American military leaders of the 20th century and you might get a lively discussion.

I would never have thought that I would hear such nonsense. The United States has never been Massoud's enemies; it fought on the side of the Northern Alliance, against USSR, Talibs and Al-Qaeda

 

[rupol2000]

Zhukov

It is believed that he have no military leadership talents. He won thanks to a large resource of manpower and equipment. This is partially confirmed by its catastrophic failure at Dubno
In general, there were few professional military specialists in the Soviet army at that time, because most were eliminated during the purges of Kaganovich in the army.

 

[whitehall]

I would never have thought that I would hear such nonsense. The United States has never been Massoud's enemies; it fought on the side of the Northern Alliance, against USSR, Talibs and Al-Qaeda

It's not hard to find atrocity stories concerning Massoud. Calling him a "general" and comparing him to historic U.S. military members is insulting and disrespectful.

 

[Dogmaphobe]

Right off the top of my head, I'd have to say Mills.

I mean, is there anybody in this forum who can say that they have never started off their day with General Mills?

 

[rupol2000]

It's not hard to find atrocity stories concerning Massoud. Calling him a "general" and comparing him to historic U.S. military members is insulting and disrespectful.

Perhaps the Taliban sodomists spread some kind of false information about him, but in general all people remember him as a noble and honest warrior. Including he never engaged in terror, he always waged an honest war.

 

[rupol2000]

By humiliating Shah Massoud you spit in the face of the US Army

 

[CrusaderFrank]

The opinion held about Patton by his fellow generals at the time wasn't favorable, however, they did know that once you let him off the leash he would just charge forward when needed and contrary to the movie "Patton," Bradley wasn't fond of Patton. Ultimately he was considered too reckless, but that recklessness came in handy when needed.

Unfortunately for the US And Brits, Patton and Bradley changed roles after the Soldier slap.

After the successful invasion of Normandy, Patton was adamant that the Allies (the USSR was not an ally) seal off the bulk of the German Western Army trapped in the Falaise Pocket. Bradley declined insisting that it was "too dangerous" Patton did all he could to help Bradley find some courage but Bradley's timidity and cowardice allowed the German Army to escape mostly unscathed.

It's possible that Stalin ordered FDR to not close the gap as this would have allowed the USA and Brits into Germany months, maybe a year ahead of Stalin.

Bradley was an advisor on the movie and it made Patton look like a lunatic when he was deadly clear and prescient about the Soviets

 

[CrusaderFrank]

The opinion held about Patton by his fellow generals at the time wasn't favorable, however, they did know that once you let him off the leash he would just charge forward when needed and contrary to the movie "Patton," Bradley wasn't fond of Patton. Ultimately he was considered too reckless, but that recklessness came in handy when needed.

Patton was not "reckless" he was aggressive and clear-headed. Stalin helped get Patton demoted because he knew Patton was the best US field commander

 

[Couchpotato]

It is believed that he have no military leadership talents. He won thanks to a large resource of manpower and equipment. This is partially confirmed by its catastrophic failure at Dubno
In general, there were few professional military specialists in the Soviet army at that time, because most were eliminated during the purges of Kaganovich in the army.

He was called in to replace failing Generals, in Khalkhin Gol, Leningrad, and Moscow defeating the Japanese and Germans each time where his contemporaries were failing. He also planned and commanded the battle of Stalingrad, and the offensive push through Berlin. He was second in command under only Stalin by Aug 42.

 

[whitehall]

Patton was not "reckless" he was aggressive and clear-headed. Stalin helped get Patton demoted because he knew Patton was the best US field commander

FDR appointed George Marshall as COS and he was technically in charge of all military operations but he was a paper pusher and clearly not up to the job. Ironically Ike thought he might be relieved of duty for the disaster of the Bulge by Marshall who never commanded a combat division. .

 

[CrusaderFrank]

FDR appointed George Marshall as COS and he was technically in charge of all military operations but he was a paper pusher and clearly not up to the job. Ironically Ike thought he might be relieved of duty for the disaster of the Bulge by Marshall who never commanded a combat division. .

The night before Ike called Patton in to ask if he could relieve Bastogne, Patton told his General to draw up plans to swing north to Bastogne. He came to the meeting with an actionable plan ready to go to move, I think, 4th Infantry up to Bastogne.

He was send by the Good Lord to help the Allies, the USA and Brits - not the USSR

 

[whitehall]

The night before Ike called Patton in to ask if he could relieve Bastogne, Patton told his General to draw up plans to swing north to Bastogne. He came to the meeting with an actionable plan ready to go to move, I think, 4th Infantry up to Bastogne.

He was send by the Good Lord to help the Allies, the USA and Brits - not the USSR

The Bulge was a disaster. Ike was attending Christmas parties while the Germans could be heard on the front lines revving up their tanks. Modern media turned it into a victory with stories like Gn. McAuliffe sending a F.U. note back to Germans when asked to surrender.

 

[rupol2000]

He was called in to replace failing Generals, in Khalkhin Gol, Leningrad, and Moscow defeating the Japanese and Germans each time where his contemporaries were failing. He also planned and commanded the battle of Stalingrad, and the offensive push through Berlin. He was second in command under only Stalin by Aug 42.

Stalin was not a military general, he did not understand anything about war and was never even a military man. Formally, the head of state always leads the troops, but he only makes political decisions. Zhukov was never the second or third or tenth person after anyone else from the political nomenklatura, moreover, after the war he was thrown off to a low position.

 

[Couchpotato]

Stalin was not a military general, he did not understand anything about war and was never even a military man. Formally, the head of state always leads the troops, but he only makes political decisions. Zhukov was never the second or third or tenth person after anyone else from the political nomenklatura, moreover, after the war he was thrown off to a low position.

Because Stalin saw him as a threat.

 

[whitehall]

MacArthur had completed a lack luster career in the U.S. Army as COS and retired. Why the old WW1 Soldier who hadn't commanded troops in several decades was appointed to be the commanding officer in an area most likely arena to be the target of the Japanese invasion force is anybody's guess. FDR was a master of domestic intrigue and historians seem to shy away from the question. At any rate it seems that MacArthur failed in his mission to protect the Philippines but he was awarded the Medal of Honor after he abandoned his troops to the Japanese death march. As ever, the media was desperate to support the legacy of FDR and MacArthur so there was no controversy about MacArthur's shortest MOH citation