Victory as a Yardstick to Rate the Generals of WW2

By Dean McCleland in Military History 0 Comment

Many measures can be applied when assessing the performance of Generals. One could focus on strategic or tactical competence. Maybe success is another. What about race or sexual orientation? My judgment was based on competence conflated with a 21st century concept of human rights. The blog Rating the General of WW2 elicited a number of comments of alternative ratings. This was one from an old hiking friend Malcolm. After presenting Malcolm’s view, I will critique it.

Main picture: Based upon victory as being the measure of greatness, Eisenhower was the greatest general of WW2

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Rating the Generals of WW2

By Dean McCleland in History, Military History 12 Comments

My brother Blaine posed me a question the other day. “How do you rate the Generals of WWII and why?  I’ve listed my candidates and was wondering what your opinion of them is?” To do this topic justice, I would have to do some extensive research. Due to time constraints, my opinion would not be based upon an ex libris search. Instead I would do the equivalent of an ad-lib speech and improvise.

Main picture: Erwin Rommel in North Africa during June 1942. Many, if not most pundits, would rate Rommel as the best General of WW2. His ability to smash the Allies line at its most vulnerable point on numerous occasions begrudgingly made him a hero in many Allies eyes.

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