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| 22 Jul 2013 11:45 AM |
I personally think there are many contenders for this spot. So I will write down who I think are major contenders and why (also why some shouldn't be even considered). Feel free to add if you wish:
Heinz Guderian:
Guderian created the blitzkrieg concept. But, he went even deeper and created the concept of Combined Arms (Which is for example a light infantry division with a heavy tank division and coordinating their efforts en mass. Which was much more effective than the older thinking of using tanks as infantry support.). So essentially even though he didn't plan any of the big strategic plans like barbarossa and the Manstein plan. He created the concepts that made these operations plausible.
Erich von Manstein:
Probably the greatest strategist the Wehrmacht had. He created the Manstein Plan (formally known as Fall Gelb). Which led to the downfall of France (and the creation of Vichy France). He then masterminded the capture of Sevastopol which at the time was the strongest fortress - in the world. More so than even the Maginot Line. He also pulled off the greatest of his 'lost victorious' at the Third Battle of Kharkov. Where he managed to pull an offense off after the disaster of Stalingrad.
Walter Model:
Model, was one of the (if not the) best defensive generals. He restored many desperate situations. For example he saved the 9th Army at the Rzhev 'Meat Grinder'. He then proceeded to salvage as much territory he could at the disaster of Bagration (Which he was put in charge of after the situation was beyond fixable).
He then saved Army Group North which was pretty much all but annihilated. Despite all this the Eastern Front still collapsed. But, the confidence of hit-- in him was strangely not disturbed. But, it increased. Model then went to save the western front which he did until hit-- got to cocky and wanted to exterminate for a large part the forces holding Belgium and Holland. After this battle Model killed himself. ---------- Why Rommel Shouldn't Be On The List:
Rommel despite how good his North African Campaign was never could defeat any Generals that 'matched' his ability. So in 41' he was just defeating second rate generals. Untl in '42 when against Churchill's wishes Monty was set in. He faced Montgomery in a battle before the annihilation of the African Front and eventually Italy. Where he was defeated. Many people blame it on supplies and lack of equipment/reinforcements. That defense is weak. Rommel was able to do without reinforcements and supplies until he faced Montgomery. So therefore, defense is also irrelevant.
After Africa Rommel Rommel was sent to Normandy and was once again defeated when it counted. (In his defense he wasn't able to do much) So basically what I am saying is he was good against third rate officers but, he couldn't win when the moment was crucial that is what negates him from being on the list I believe. |
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Agentk15
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| Joined: 17 Apr 2010 |
| Total Posts: 2307 |
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| 22 Jul 2013 11:47 AM |
| Heinz because of his name. |
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| 22 Jul 2013 11:51 AM |
| Best way to judge a general obviously is by his name obviously. |
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Agentk15
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| Joined: 17 Apr 2010 |
| Total Posts: 2307 |
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| 22 Jul 2013 12:00 PM |
| Oh yea to break the myth about Rommel and the Africa Korps being the only part of the Wehrmacht to not commit a war crime. Guderian never was charged with war crimes therefore it is correct to presume the 2nd Panzer group committed none. |
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