Leaders:
- Germany- Heinrich
Himmler
- Heinrich
Himmler was born on October 7, 1900, in Munich, Germany. In 1926, he became
Hitler's deputy propaganda chief. In 1929, he was appointed commander of the
Schutzstaffel. In 1933, he took command of the Gestapo, and expanded it. He
became chief of all German police in 1936, and minister of the interior in
1943. He was expelled from the Nazi party that year. He committed suicide to
escape capture on May 23, 1945, in Lunberg, Germany.
- Heinrich
Himmler was born on October 7, 1900, in Munich, Germany. In 1926, he became
Hitler's deputy propaganda chief. In 1929, he was appointed commander of the
Schutzstaffel. In 1933, he took command of the Gestapo, and expanded it. He
became chief of all German police in 1936, and minister of the interior in
1943. He was expelled from the Nazi party that year. He committed suicide to
escape capture on May 23, 1945, in Lunberg, Germany.
- Japan-
Yamamoto Isoroku
- In 1905
Yamamoto was injured in action at the Battle of Tsushima during the
Russo-Japanese War. One thing that really stands out is Yamamoto asserted
Japan’s only chance for victory lay in a surprise attack that would cripple the
American naval forces in the Pacific and force the United States into a
negotiated peace, thereby allowing Japan a free reign in greater East Asia. Any
long war with the United States, Yamamoto believed, would spell disaster for
Japan. Although he was not the author of the detailed plan to attack Pearl
Harbor, he certainly championed it within government circles. On Dec. 7, 1941,
his carriers, under the immediate command of Vice Adm. Nagumo Chūichi, scored a
stunning tactical victory over the U.S. Pacific Fleet at anchorage in Pearl
Harbor.
- In 1905
Yamamoto was injured in action at the Battle of Tsushima during the
Russo-Japanese War. One thing that really stands out is Yamamoto asserted
Japan’s only chance for victory lay in a surprise attack that would cripple the
American naval forces in the Pacific and force the United States into a
negotiated peace, thereby allowing Japan a free reign in greater East Asia. Any
long war with the United States, Yamamoto believed, would spell disaster for
Japan. Although he was not the author of the detailed plan to attack Pearl
Harbor, he certainly championed it within government circles. On Dec. 7, 1941,
his carriers, under the immediate command of Vice Adm. Nagumo Chūichi, scored a
stunning tactical victory over the U.S. Pacific Fleet at anchorage in Pearl
Harbor.
- Italy- Victor
Emmanuel III
- Victor
Emmanuel failed to prevent the Fascist seizure of power, though it apparently
lay in his hands to do so merely by signing the decree of martial law proposed
by the cabinet. He was quickly reduced to a figurehead or less by the Mussolini
dictatorship, but in 1943, following disastrous Italian military reverses in
World War II, capped by the Allied invasion of Sicily, Victor Emmanuel
surprised the world by having Mussolini arrested and installing Marshal Pietro
Badoglio as premier. Emmanuel died of old age on December 28, 1947 in Alexandria,
Egypt.
- Victor
Emmanuel failed to prevent the Fascist seizure of power, though it apparently
lay in his hands to do so merely by signing the decree of martial law proposed
by the cabinet. He was quickly reduced to a figurehead or less by the Mussolini
dictatorship, but in 1943, following disastrous Italian military reverses in
World War II, capped by the Allied invasion of Sicily, Victor Emmanuel
surprised the world by having Mussolini arrested and installing Marshal Pietro
Badoglio as premier. Emmanuel died of old age on December 28, 1947 in Alexandria,
Egypt.
- Britain- Bernard
Montgomery
- British
Field Marshall Bernard Law Montgomery was among the most decorated military
leaders of World War II. Montgomery played a huge roll during the D-Day
invasions. Montgomery became ground commander of the Anglo-American forces
under Dwight D. Eisenhower, and his insistence that invasion forces be
increased from three to eight divisions was essential to the Allies’ success on
D-Day in 1944. After World War II Montomery stood strong in office as he was a
part of the Imperial General Staff and deputy to
Eisenhower at NATO.
- British
Field Marshall Bernard Law Montgomery was among the most decorated military
leaders of World War II. Montgomery played a huge roll during the D-Day
invasions. Montgomery became ground commander of the Anglo-American forces
under Dwight D. Eisenhower, and his insistence that invasion forces be
increased from three to eight divisions was essential to the Allies’ success on
D-Day in 1944. After World War II Montomery stood strong in office as he was a
part of the Imperial General Staff and deputy to
Eisenhower at NATO.
- U.S.- Douglas
Macarthur
- In his
early life MacArthur was the top of his class from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He later on was an
American general who commanded the Southwest Pacific in World War II, oversaw
the successful Allied occupation of postwar Japan, and led United Nations
forces in the Korean War. During
World War II, he famously returned to liberate the Philippines in 1944 after it
had fallen to the Japanese. MacArthur led United Nations forces during the
start of the Korean War, but later clashed with President Harry Truman over war
policy and was removed from command.
- In his
early life MacArthur was the top of his class from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He later on was an
American general who commanded the Southwest Pacific in World War II, oversaw
the successful Allied occupation of postwar Japan, and led United Nations
forces in the Korean War. During
World War II, he famously returned to liberate the Philippines in 1944 after it
had fallen to the Japanese. MacArthur led United Nations forces during the
start of the Korean War, but later clashed with President Harry Truman over war
policy and was removed from command.
- Soviet
Union- Georgy Zhukov
- Zhukov
could be looked at as the most successful Russian general in World War Two.
Zhukov effectively led the attack on Berlin in April-May 1945 and throughout
the whole Russian campaign was known as the “man who did not lose a battle.” A
little more background behind this topic, Zhukov was given the credit for the
victory of the Russian forces over the Nazis in the Battle for Berlin. Though a
victory in military terms, the Russians had taken very many casualties in this
battle. However, this victory sealed for Zhukov the title of the ‘man who never
lost a battle’.
- Zhukov
could be looked at as the most successful Russian general in World War Two.
Zhukov effectively led the attack on Berlin in April-May 1945 and throughout
the whole Russian campaign was known as the “man who did not lose a battle.” A
little more background behind this topic, Zhukov was given the credit for the
victory of the Russian forces over the Nazis in the Battle for Berlin. Though a
victory in military terms, the Russians had taken very many casualties in this
battle. However, this victory sealed for Zhukov the title of the ‘man who never
lost a battle’.
- France- Charles
De Gaulle
- Charles
de Gaulle early life went to school and had a smaller family. His dad was a
philosophy and literature professor, and
his mother was very catholic. In 192 after completing his studies he went to
war, where he rose from French soldier in World War I to exiled leader and,
eventually, president of the Fifth Republic, a position he held until 1969. De
Gaulle's time as a commander in World War II would later influence his
political career, providing him with a tenacious drive.
- Charles
de Gaulle early life went to school and had a smaller family. His dad was a
philosophy and literature professor, and
his mother was very catholic. In 192 after completing his studies he went to
war, where he rose from French soldier in World War I to exiled leader and,
eventually, president of the Fifth Republic, a position he held until 1969. De
Gaulle's time as a commander in World War II would later influence his
political career, providing him with a tenacious drive.