Allied Countries
United States: General George Patton
On November 11, 1885, George Patton was born in San Gabriel California. From a young age, the boy was mesmerized by war stories and dreamed of becoming a war hero. As a young man, Patton graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1909. Patton was a good fighter, showing exceptional skill at the art of fencing and later becoming an instructor. In World War I, Patton earned himself a promotion when he shot Mexican leader, Julio Cardenas. Also during World War I, Patton proved his talent at tank warfare, later founding a school teaching about tank warfare. Although he was wounded once in World War I at the battle of Meuse-Argonne, Patton went on to continue his military career into World War II. Once the invasion of Sicily was completed and won, Patton met another massive victory on D-Day. After making their way into Germany, Patton’s men capture 10,000 square miles of land and as a result, Germany was defeated. George Patton’s life tragically came to an end one fateful day in December of 1945 when he fatally broke his neck in a car crash near Mannheim, Germany. After his death, Patton’s memoir, War As I Knew It, was published and a movie about him was released in 1970. George Patton will be remembered for expertise and knowledge regarding tank warfare (“George Patton”).
Great Britain: Thomas Hunton
October 31, 1885 is the birth date of Thomas Hunton. He was born in the town of Bristol, Gloucestershire to Theodore and Emma Hunton. At age 18, Hunton became a member of the Royal Marines where he fought bravely in World War I. After working his way up, Hunton finally attained the position of Deputy Assistant Adjutant General. He was later promoted five years later to Assistant Adjutant Manager. As his experience grew, so did his responsibility. Soon becoming Commander of the Portsmouth Division, Hunton served in World War II. One accomplishment the Thomas Hunton holds while in this position is utilizing those men under him by breaking them into smaller sections in order to accomplish special missions and tasks. It was not until after the end of World War II that Hunton became the first Commandant General Royal Marines. He held this position for three years (1943-1946). Thomas Hunton died on April 21, 1970 (“Thomas Hunton”).
China: Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek was born on October 31, 1887 in the Chinese province of Zhejiang. After attending military school in Japan, Kai-shek returned to China. Kai-shek was a participant in the ousting of the Qing Dynasty and later joined the Chinese Nationalist Party. In 1924, Kai-shek worked to improve and build the nationalist army through his work at Whampoa Military Academy in Canton. His work in politics continued as Kai-shek followed through with what would become known as the Northern Expedition, a successful attempt to join all of China under a single government. Kai-shek’s work was not without challenge though (“Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975)”).
The Japanese invasion of Manchuria was a struggle for not just the leaders of China but its people as well. In response to this attack, China sought to invade Japan and did so in 1937. Shortly after Japan’s attack of Pearl Harbor and the United States entering the war, the Chinese joined the war with the Allies. Kai-shek contributed to the war meeting with officials including President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. During this time though, the country itself was dealing with internal conflicts as well (“Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975)”).
In 1946, a civil war in China had broken out between the Communists and the Nationalists. In this conflict, the Communists emerged victorious causing the Nationalist Party member to flee the country. They left to Taiwan and established a government which was recognized by many countries to be the government of China although the Communists had established the People’s Republic of China after their victory. Kai-shek’s involvement in the government and military came to an end when he died on April 5, 1975 (“Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975)”).
The Japanese invasion of Manchuria was a struggle for not just the leaders of China but its people as well. In response to this attack, China sought to invade Japan and did so in 1937. Shortly after Japan’s attack of Pearl Harbor and the United States entering the war, the Chinese joined the war with the Allies. Kai-shek contributed to the war meeting with officials including President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. During this time though, the country itself was dealing with internal conflicts as well (“Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975)”).
In 1946, a civil war in China had broken out between the Communists and the Nationalists. In this conflict, the Communists emerged victorious causing the Nationalist Party member to flee the country. They left to Taiwan and established a government which was recognized by many countries to be the government of China although the Communists had established the People’s Republic of China after their victory. Kai-shek’s involvement in the government and military came to an end when he died on April 5, 1975 (“Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975)”).
France: Alphonse Georges
Montuclan, France was the birthplace of Alphonse Georges on August 19, 1875. Georges studied and graduated with honors from St. Cyr Military Academy before going on to fight for France in World War I. He was severely injured but subsequent to this he continued to serve his country as best he could. After the war was over, Georges continued his career as an operation chief and later a chief of staff. In November of 1932, the Supreme War Council welcomed Alphonse Georges as a member. After recovering from and surviving an assassination attempt, Georges became commander of all French field armies. After the defeat of the French army by the Germans shortly into World War II, Georges was released from this position. In time, Georges came to be the minister of the French Committee of National Liberation. He only held this position for a short while. The year 1951 marks the death of Alphonse Georges (Simkin, “Alphonse Georges”).
Axis Countries
Germany: Erwin von Witzleben
On December 4, 1881, Erwin von Wtizleben was born in Breslau, Germany. Witzleben grew up to eventually serve his country through military work. Even after fighting in World War I, Witzleben continued as part of the German military, moving up in the ranks as time passed. Very much in opposition of the Nazi Party and Adolf Hitler himself, his life was personally affected when people he worked closely with ran into trouble whether it be death or being let go. After Witzleben’s anger and distrust toward Hitler and the Nazis was brought to the attention of authorities, Witzleben resigned his position in the military (“Erwin von Witzleben”).
With the dawning of World War II, Witzleben’s military leadership was needed once again. Witzleben’s leadership when attempting to invade France through the Maginot Line brought success. In reward, Erwin Witzleben became a field marshal. Although he was successful in his military career, his opposition to the current German government caused him to resign. After his retirement, Witzleben became what is known today as the July Plot, an attempt on the assassination of Adolf Hitler. In the end, the attempt was unsuccessful and Erwin von Witzleben was tried and eventually hanged for treason in 1944 (“Erwin von Witzleben”).
With the dawning of World War II, Witzleben’s military leadership was needed once again. Witzleben’s leadership when attempting to invade France through the Maginot Line brought success. In reward, Erwin Witzleben became a field marshal. Although he was successful in his military career, his opposition to the current German government caused him to resign. After his retirement, Witzleben became what is known today as the July Plot, an attempt on the assassination of Adolf Hitler. In the end, the attempt was unsuccessful and Erwin von Witzleben was tried and eventually hanged for treason in 1944 (“Erwin von Witzleben”).
Soviet Union: Georgy Zhukov
Georgy Zhukov was born in 1896. Zhukov began his successful career fighting in World War II and he also fought in the Russian Civil War. His excellence in his work caught the attention of Joseph Stalin who soon appointed Zhukov chief of staff. When Germany invaded the Soviet Union, Zhukov was successful in his defense, driving the Germans out of the country. His career continued to be successful, but the cherry on top was Zhukov’s success at the Battle of Berlin. This battle only added to his reputation as the ‘man who never lost a battle’ despite the fact that the Soviets suffered many casualties in this particular battle. After being ousted to a lower position in military power by Joseph Stalin, Zhukov became unhappy. It wasn’t until the death of Stalin that Zhukov resumed positions in the government. He was stripped of his rank after it was decided that Zhukov put the military before the party. At the age of 74, Georgy Zhukov died in 1974 (Trueman, C.N.).
Italy: Pietro Badoglio
In Grazzano Monferrato, Italy, Pietro Badoglio was born on September 28, 1871. Shortly after reaching adulthood, Badoglio joined the army. During his time in the Italo-Turkish War and World War I, Badoglio demonstrated his leadership abilities. Despite victories and losses, Badoglio eventually earned the title of chief of Italian general staff. Badoglio was very accomplished in his career. He became an ambassador of Brazil for a while before returning to chief of staff and eventually becoming a field marshal (“Pietro Badoglio”).
He continued to show his military abilities when he captured the capital of Libya, Addis Ababa, later becoming its viceroy and even later the duke of the city. Due to lack of agreement with Benito Mussolini, the leader of Italy, Badoglio resigned his position of chief of staff. With the fall of the countries leader came a need for leadership. Pietro Badoglio stepped up to the challenge becoming the prime minister of Italy. Through this position, Badoglio was able to surrender Italy to the Allies by negotiating an armistice. After this was accomplished, Italy formally declared war on Axis powers. Soon after, Badoglio retired. He died on November 1, 1956 in his home town (“Pietro Badoglio”).
He continued to show his military abilities when he captured the capital of Libya, Addis Ababa, later becoming its viceroy and even later the duke of the city. Due to lack of agreement with Benito Mussolini, the leader of Italy, Badoglio resigned his position of chief of staff. With the fall of the countries leader came a need for leadership. Pietro Badoglio stepped up to the challenge becoming the prime minister of Italy. Through this position, Badoglio was able to surrender Italy to the Allies by negotiating an armistice. After this was accomplished, Italy formally declared war on Axis powers. Soon after, Badoglio retired. He died on November 1, 1956 in his home town (“Pietro Badoglio”).
Japan: Isoroku Yamamoto
Isoroku Yamamoto was born on April 4, 1884 in Nagoaka, Japan. After graduating from the Japanese Naval Academy, being injured in war, attending the Japanese Naval Staff Academy, and studying at Harvard, Yamamoto became a teacher at the Japanese Naval Staff College. His career in the military later took him to the United States for a while. In the time before World War II, Yamamoto performed various different tasks in his job and also held many different positions over the years including; captain, naval attaché, commander of aircraft carrier, chief of the Technological Division of the Naval Air Corps, commander of first Carrier Division, navy vice admiral, navy vice minister, and admiral (Hughes, Thomas A).
One of the things that Isoroku Yamamoto is most famous for is his idea of the attack of the Pearl Harbor which was carried out on May 7, 1941. Although many battles in the period of half a year after the attack, he soon would taste defeat. This occurred at the Battle of Midway, as well as in the South Pacific and Solomon Islands. The Admiral’s life and career soon came to an end when United States forces shot down his plane on April 18, 1943. Yamamoto will be remembered for his idea of attacking Pearl Harbor as well as his use of aircraft carriers in the event of long-range naval attacks (Hughes, Thomas A).
Page by: SJL
One of the things that Isoroku Yamamoto is most famous for is his idea of the attack of the Pearl Harbor which was carried out on May 7, 1941. Although many battles in the period of half a year after the attack, he soon would taste defeat. This occurred at the Battle of Midway, as well as in the South Pacific and Solomon Islands. The Admiral’s life and career soon came to an end when United States forces shot down his plane on April 18, 1943. Yamamoto will be remembered for his idea of attacking Pearl Harbor as well as his use of aircraft carriers in the event of long-range naval attacks (Hughes, Thomas A).
Page by: SJL