Army Leaders of the 1900s
The conflicts of the 1900s have seen the emergence of some of the greatest military minds in history. Here we examine those leaders who led their forces to victory in the 20th century.
Pancho Villa: Mexican Revolutionary
Pancho Villa was a famed leader during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1921). Operating in the north of the country, Villa was famed for his lightening cavalry raids and freebooting attitude. In 1920, he retired from military campaigning and lived in peace until he was killed in 1923.
Pancho Villa was a famed leader during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1921). Operating in the north of the country, Villa was famed for his lightening cavalry raids and freebooting attitude. In 1920, he retired from military campaigning and lived in peace until he was killed in 1923.
World War I: Field Marshal Edmund Allenby
Edmund Allenby was a British field marshal during World War I. A veteran of the Boer War, Alleby held various commands on the Western Front before being dispatched to the Middle East. There Allenby led British forcs to numerous victories over the Turks and captured Jerusalem and Damascus.
Edmund Allenby was a British field marshal during World War I. A veteran of the Boer War, Alleby held various commands on the Western Front before being dispatched to the Middle East. There Allenby led British forcs to numerous victories over the Turks and captured Jerusalem and Damascus.
World War I: Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener
Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener was a distinguished officer in the British Army in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Having played a key role in the Sudan and the Boer War, Kitchener is best remembered for working to raise troops during World War I. Kitchener was killed in 1916, while en route to Russia on a diplomatic mission.
Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener was a distinguished officer in the British Army in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Having played a key role in the Sudan and the Boer War, Kitchener is best remembered for working to raise troops during World War I. Kitchener was killed in 1916, while en route to Russia on a diplomatic mission.
World War I: General John J. Pershing
A pivotal leader of the US Army in the early 20th century, General John J. Pershing was the leader of US forces in Europe during World War I and was a mentor for many of the generals of World War II. In addition, John J. Pershing was the only leader to achieve the rank of General of the Armies.
A pivotal leader of the US Army in the early 20th century, General John J. Pershing was the leader of US forces in Europe during World War I and was a mentor for many of the generals of World War II. In addition, John J. Pershing was the only leader to achieve the rank of General of the Armies.
World War II: General Omar Bradley
General Omar Bradley was key American field commander during World War II. Seeing service in North Africa, Bradley rose to command the 12th Army Group in Western Europe after D-Day. Following World War II, Omar Bradley was named the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
General Omar Bradley was key American field commander during World War II. Seeing service in North Africa, Bradley rose to command the 12th Army Group in Western Europe after D-Day. Following World War II, Omar Bradley was named the first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
World War II: General George C. Marshall
General George Marshall saw service during both World War I and World War II. Becoming Army Chief of Staff on September 1, 1939, George Marshall coordinated American and Allied efforts during World War and was referred to the "organizer of victory" by Churchill. After the war, George Marshall served as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense.
General George Marshall saw service during both World War I and World War II. Becoming Army Chief of Staff on September 1, 1939, George Marshall coordinated American and Allied efforts during World War and was referred to the "organizer of victory" by Churchill. After the war, George Marshall served as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense.
World War II: General George S. Patton
General George Patton was a key American commander during World War II. A gifted athlete, George Patton saw service in World War I and helped pioneer mobile warfare. An outspoken leader, Patton proved gifted corps and army commander in North Africa and Europe.
General George Patton was a key American commander during World War II. A gifted athlete, George Patton saw service in World War I and helped pioneer mobile warfare. An outspoken leader, Patton proved gifted corps and army commander in North Africa and Europe.
World War II: Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was a noted German commander during World War II. Known as the "Desert Fox," Rommel campaigned in North Africa before being brought to France to prepare against the Allied invasion. Rommel was implicated in the plot to kill Hitler in 1944 and was permitted to commit suicide rather than face trial.
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was a noted German commander during World War II. Known as the "Desert Fox," Rommel campaigned in North Africa before being brought to France to prepare against the Allied invasion. Rommel was implicated in the plot to kill Hitler in 1944 and was permitted to commit suicide rather than face trial.
World War II: Marshal Georgy Zhukov
Marshal Georgy Zhukov rose from peasant roots to command Soviet forces during World War II. Under his leadership, Red Army troops successfully defended Moscow and won victories at Stalingrad and Berlin. After the war, Zhukov remained a prominent figure in the Soviet military and later served as defense minister.
Marshal Georgy Zhukov rose from peasant roots to command Soviet forces during World War II. Under his leadership, Red Army troops successfully defended Moscow and won victories at Stalingrad and Berlin. After the war, Zhukov remained a prominent figure in the Soviet military and later served as defense minister.
Vietnam War: Vo Nguyen Giap
A prominent Vietnamese general and statesman, Vo Nguyen Giap led the Viet Minh during the First Indochina War against France and masterminded the capture of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. During the Vietnam War, Vo Nguyen Giap served as commander-in-chief of the People's Army of Vietnam and planned the Tet Offensive.
A prominent Vietnamese general and statesman, Vo Nguyen Giap led the Viet Minh during the First Indochina War against France and masterminded the capture of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. During the Vietnam War, Vo Nguyen Giap served as commander-in-chief of the People's Army of Vietnam and planned the Tet Offensive.
Vietnam War: General William Westmoreland
General William Westmoreland is best remembered as the commander of US forces in Vietnam between 1964 and 1968. Lured into committing a large percentage of his forces to Khe Sanh, he was surprised by the North Vietnamese Tet Offensive. In June 1968, William Westmoreland left Vietnam to become US Army Chief of Staff and was replaced by Gen. Creighton Abrams.
General William Westmoreland is best remembered as the commander of US forces in Vietnam between 1964 and 1968. Lured into committing a large percentage of his forces to Khe Sanh, he was surprised by the North Vietnamese Tet Offensive. In June 1968, William Westmoreland left Vietnam to become US Army Chief of Staff and was replaced by Gen. Creighton Abrams.
General George S. Patton
A comprehensive site detailing the life and times of General George S. Patton (1885-1945).
A comprehensive site detailing the life and times of General George S. Patton (1885-1945).