Top 100 best generals of all. Greatest generals of all time
War and peace are the ever-changing sides of the same coin called "life". If in peacetime a wise and just ruler is needed, then in time of war - a ruthless commander who must win the battle and the war by all means. History remembers many great military leaders, but not all of them are listed. We present to your attention the very best:
Alexander the Great (Alexander the Great)
From childhood, Alexander dreamed of conquering the world and, although he did not have a heroic physique, he preferred to participate in military battles. Due to his leadership qualities, he became one of the great generals of his time. The victories of the army of Alexander the great are at the top of the art of war Ancient Greece... Alexander's army was not numerically superior, but was still able to win all the battles, spreading its gigantic empire from Greece to India. He trusted his soldiers, and they did not let him down, but faithfully followed him, reciprocating.
Genghis Khan (Great Mongol Khan)
In 1206, on the Onon River, the leaders of the nomadic tribes proclaimed the mighty Mongol warrior the great khan of all Mongol tribes. And his name is Genghis Khan. Shamans predicted Genghis Khan power over the whole world, and he did not disappoint. Having become the great Mongolian emperor, he founded one of the greatest empires, united the scattered Mongol tribes. He conquered China, all of Central Asia, as well as the Caucasus and Eastern Europe, Baghdad, Khorezm, the Shah's state and some Russian principalities.
Tamerlane ("Timur the Lame")
He received the nickname "Timur the Lame" for his physical disability, which he received during clashes with the khans, but despite this he became famous as a Central Asian conqueror who played a rather significant role in the history of Central, South and Western Asia, as well as the Caucasus, the Volga region and Russia. He founded the empire and the Timurid dynasty, with the capital in Samarkand. He had no equal in saber possession and archery. However, after his death, the territory under his control, which stretched from Samarkand to the Volga, disintegrated very quickly.
Hannibal Barca ("Father of Strategy")
Hannibal is the greatest military strategist of the Ancient World, the Carthaginian commander. This is the "Father of Strategy". Hated Rome and everything connected with it, was the sworn enemy of the Roman Republic. With the Romans, he fought the well-known Punic wars. He successfully applied the tactics of enveloping enemy troops from the flanks with subsequent encirclement. Having risen at the head of the 46 thousandth army, which consisted of 37 war elephants, he crossed the Pyrenees and the snow-capped Alps.
Suvorov Alexander Vasilievich
Suvorov can be safely called a national hero of Russia, a great Russian commander, because he did not suffer a single defeat in his entire military career, which includes more than 60 battles. He is the founder of Russian military art, a military thinker who had no equal. Member of the Russian-Turkish wars, Italian, Swiss campaigns.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte was the French emperor in 1804-1815, a great commander and statesman. It was Napoleon who laid the foundations of the modern French state. While still a lieutenant, he began a military career. And from the very beginning, participating in wars, he was able to establish himself as an intelligent and fearless commander. Taking the place of the emperor, he unleashed the Napoleonic Wars, but he failed to conquer the whole world. He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and spent the rest of his life on Saint Helena.
Saladin (Salah ad-Din) Expelled the Crusaders
Great talented Muslim commander and outstanding organizer, Sultan of Egypt and Syria. Translated from Arabic, Salah ad-Din means "Defender of the Faith." He received this honorable nickname for the fight against the crusaders. He led the fight against the crusaders. Saladin's troops captured Beirut, Acre, Caesarea, Ascalon and Jerusalem. Thanks to Saladin, Muslim lands were freed from foreign troops and foreign faith.
Guy Julius Caesar
A special place among the rulers in the Ancient World is occupied by the well-known ancient Roman state and political figure, dictator, military leader, writer Guy Julius Caesar. Conqueror of Gaul, Germany, Britain. The owner of outstanding abilities of a military tactician and strategist, as well as a great orator who managed to influence the people, promising him gladiator games and spectacles. The most powerful figure of his time. But this did not prevent a small group of conspirators from killing the great commander. This led to the resurgence of civil wars, leading to the decline of the Roman Empire.
Alexander Nevskiy
Grand Duke, wise statesman, famous commander. He is called a fearless knight. Alexander devoted his whole life to defending the Motherland. Together with his small squad, he defeated the Swedes at the Battle of the Neva in 1240. For which he received his nickname. He conquered his hometowns from the Livonian Order in the Battle of the Ice, which took place on Lake Peipsi, thereby stopping the ruthless Catholic expansion in the Russian lands from the West.
Dmitry Donskoy
Dmitry Donskoy is considered the forefather of modern Russia. During his reign, the white-stone Moscow Kremlin was built. This famous prince, after the victory in the Battle of Kulikovo, in which he was able to completely defeat the Mongol horde, was nicknamed Donskoy. He was strong, tall, broad-shouldered, overweight. It is also known that Dmitry was pious, gentle and distinguished for chastity. Real qualities of a real commander.
Attila
This man led the Hun Empire, which at first was not an empire at all. He was able to conquer a vast territory stretching from Central Asia to modern Germany. Attila was an enemy of both the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. He is known for his brutality and ability to conduct military operations. Few emperors, kings and chieftains could boast of capturing such a vast territory in such a short time.
Adolf Gitler
Actually, this man cannot be called a military genius. Now there is a lot of controversy about how the failed artist and corporal could become, albeit for a short time, the ruler of all of Europe. The military claims that the "blitzkrieg" form of military operations was invented by Hitler. Needless to say - the evil genius Adolf Hitler, through whose fault tens of millions of people died, was indeed a very capable military leader (at least until the start of the war with the USSR, when a worthy opponent was found).
Georgy Zhukov
As you know, Zhukov led the Red Army in the Great Patriotic War. He was the kind of man whose ability to conduct military operations can be called super-outstanding. In fact, this man was a genius in his field, one of those people who ultimately led the USSR to victory. After the fall of Germany, Zhukov led the military forces of the USSR, which occupied this country. Thanks to the genius of Zhukov, perhaps you and I have the opportunity now to live and enjoy.
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As long as human civilization has existed, there have been wars. And wars, in turn, gave rise to great warriors.
10. Richard I Lion Heart (1157-1199)
Earned this nickname for outstanding military leadership talents and personal courage. Together with the King of France, Philip II led the crusade. It turned out to be a victim of the betrayal of an ally, therefore the Holy Sepulcher from the army of the "knight of the East" Saladin was never released. After a dramatic return to England, he fought a grueling battle with his brother John for the English crown. Many knightly legends and ballads are associated with King Richard I the Lionheart.
9. Spartacus (110-71 BC)
Source: toptenz.net
The most famous gladiator in history, who raised a slave rebellion against ancient rome... According to one version, before falling into slavery and becoming a gladiator, he served in the Roman army, deserted and became a thief. With his army of fugitive slaves, he went through the Roman possessions far and wide. In 71 BC. in the battle near the river Silari in the south of the Apennine Peninsula, the gladiators were defeated, Spartacus died. According to legend, a legionnaire named Felix, who killed Spartacus, posted a mosaic picture of that battle on the wall of his house in Pompeii.
8. Saladin (1138-1193)
Source: usu.edu
Sultan of Egypt and Syria, a genius Muslim commander of the 12th century. "Antihero" of the Third crusade (for the Western world) and protector of Islamic shrines from hordes of "infidels" (for the world of the East). He captured King Richard the Lionheart, but then nobly sent him home in exchange for a promise not to try to liberate Muslim Jerusalem. Developed advanced tactics for a swift equestrian attack.
7. Napoleon I Bonaparte (1769-1821)
Source: liveinternet.ru
Emperor of France, an outstanding military leader and statesman. He began his military career with the rank of lieutenant. In 1788, he almost became an officer in the Russian army, which was partially manned by foreigners for the war with Turkey. Taking part in wars, from the very beginning of his career he has established himself as a skillful and brave commander. After becoming emperor, he unleashed the so-called Napoleonic Wars (1796-1815), which radically changed the face of Europe.
6. Alexander Nevsky (1221-1263)
Source: heruvim.com.ua
He studied warfare from an early age. Already being a prince, he led his squads and personally fought in the forefront. He received his nickname in honor of the victory over the Swedes on the banks of the Neva River in 1240. However, his most famous victoria is the Battle on the Ice on Lake Peipsi in 1242. Then the warriors of Alexander Nevsky utterly defeated the knights of the Livonian Order and stopped the ruthless Catholic expansion of the West to the Russian lands.
5. Gaius Julius Caesar (100-44 BC)
Source: teammarcopolo.com
This Roman dictator, military leader and statesman, the first emperor of the Roman Empire, became famous for victorious wars far beyond the borders of his country. At the head of the famous Roman legions he conquered Gaul, Germany and Britain. He was considered the most powerful figure of his time, but fell victim to a relatively small handful of conspirators.
4. Hannibal Barca (247-183 BC)
Source: talismancoins.com
Outstanding Carthaginian commander and strategist. In his battles, he successfully applied the tactics of enveloping enemy troops from the flanks with subsequent encirclement. He hated Rome and everything Roman fiercely. He fought the famous Punnic Wars with the Romans with varying degrees of success. Known for his unparalleled passage through the Pyrenees and the snow-capped Alps at the head of a 46-thousand army, which included 37 war elephants.
3. Genghis Khan (1155 (or 1162) - 1227)
29.06.2014
Generals of Russia.
Major events in the history of mankind have something in common with military actions, and breakthroughs in science with the need to win. The world's greatest military leaders, such as Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and Alexander Suvorov, amazed the world with their military genius and personal qualities, and Napoleon Bonaparte and Hitler with their large-scale thinking and organizational skills. Russia has always been famous for its military talents. Its commanders surprised the enemies with strategic decisions and invariably won victory. So, today we present you a list great generals of Russia.
Great military leaders of Russia.
1. Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov.
An ingenious commander and a brilliant military theorist. Surprisingly frail and sickly child, born into the family of a man distinguished by his erudition and energy, did not agree with his future in civil service. He was constantly engaged in self-education and strengthening his own health. Historians speak of Suvorov as a commander who did not lose a single battle, despite the numerical superiority of the enemy.
2. Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov.
The decisive and strong-willed commander won victories, despite the losses in his ranks, for which he was constantly condemned by critics. His strategy was distinguished by active actions and counterattacks, in response to enemy operations. Without receiving a specialized education, he comprehended the secrets of the art of war on his own, which, combined with natural talent, led to stunning results.
3. Alexander Yaroslavovich Nevsky.
His name includes the most important victory in his life, which brought him enormous posthumous popularity. The real politician of Kievan Rus and the legendary commander were closely intertwined in his image. Moreover, the attitude towards his victory was not always unambiguous. Was canonized by the Orthodox Church.
4. Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov.
His whole life was spent in the war. He, like Suvorov, did not believe that it was possible to lead from the rear. His personal merits brought not only awards, but also two wounds to the head, which doctors considered fatal. The restoration of the commander's combat capability was considered a sign from above, which was confirmed in the war with the French. The victory over Napoleon made the image of Kutuzov legendary.
5. Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky.
The son of a railway worker and a teacher was born in Poland and was left without parents early. Having ascribed a couple of years to himself, he volunteered for the front. He was distinguished by his composure and the ability to correctly assess the situation, which saved the situation more than once. He practically had no military education, but he loved his job and had the appropriate talents.
6. Fyodor Fyodorovich Ushakov.
With his light hand, the formation of the Black Sea Fleet began, its first traditions were born. Ushakov's baptism of fire was the Russian-Turkish war, which glorified him, thanks to his determination and ability to make extraordinary decisions. The tactics of maneuvers that he created were completely different from the generally accepted ones, and helped to win even with a significant numerical superiority of the enemy. The Grand Admiral was recently canonized. In the capital of Mordovia, the city of Saransk, a church named after the Holy Righteous Warrior Feodor Ushakov was built.
7. Pavel Stepanovich Nakhimov.
Hero of the Defense of Sevastopol. Of the five brothers who graduated from the Naval Cadet Corps, he is the only one who glorified his surname. He was distinguished by his love for military affairs and the sea. His passion was so strong that he forgot to marry and start a family. All the ships he commanded over time became exemplary, and his subordinates became infected with his love for the fleet.
8. Donskoy Dmitry Ivanovich.
It got its name in honor of the great Battle of Kulikovo, which became a turning point in relations between the Kievan Rus' Golden Horde. For services to the Fatherland and outstanding personal qualities, he is canonized.
9. Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev.
Despite numerous military achievements, he always tried to avoid human casualties during military operations. He treated the soldiers with respect, realizing that the final result of the battle depends on their personal qualities. For personal qualities, as well as for the command in a snow-white uniform and on a snow-white horse, he was named "white general".
10. Alexey Petrovich Ermolov.
The great Russian commander who has become a legendary person. He not only participated in many wars of the Russian Empire and won victories, but was also selflessly devoted to the emperor.
Russia has always been rich in outstanding generals and naval commanders.
1. Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky (c. 1220 - 1263). - a commander, at the age of 20 he defeated the Swedish conquerors on the Neva River (1240), and at 22 - the German "knight-dogs" during Ice battle (1242)
2. Dmitry Donskoy (1350 - 1389). - commander, prince. Under his leadership, greatest victory on the Kulikovo field over the hordes of Khan Mamai, which was an important stage in the liberation of Russia and other peoples of Eastern Europe from the Mongol-Tatar yoke.
3. Peter I - Russian tsar, an outstanding commander. He is the founder of the Russian regular army and navy. He showed high organizational skills and talent as a commander during the Azov campaigns (1695 - 1696), in the Northern War (1700 - 1721). during the Persian campaign (1722 - 1723) under the direct leadership of Peter in the famous Battle of Poltava (1709), the troops of the Swedish king Charles XII were defeated and captured.
4. Fyodor Alekseevich Golovin (1650 - 1706) - Count, General - Field Marshal, Admiral. Companion of Peter I, the greatest organizer, one of the founders of the Baltic Fleet
5 Boris Petrovich Sheremetyev (1652 - 1719) - Count, General - Field Marshal. Member of the Crimean, Azov. He commanded an army in a campaign against the Crimean Tatars. In the battle at Eresfera, in Livonia, a detachment under his command defeated the Swedes, defeated Schlippenbach's army at Hummelshof (5 thousand killed, 3 thousand prisoners). The Russian flotilla forced the Swedish ships to leave the Neva for the Gulf of Finland. In 1703 he took Noteburg, and then Nyenskans, Koporye, Yamburg. In Estonia Sheremetev B.P. occupied Wesenberg. B. P. Sheremetev besieged Dorpat, who surrendered on 13 IL 1704. During the Astrakhan uprising B.P. Sheremetev. was sent by Peter I to suppress it. In 1705 Sheremetev B.P. took Astrakhan.
6 Alexander Danilovich Menshikov (1673-1729) - His Serene Highness Prince, associate of Peter I. Generalisimus of the sea and ground forces... Participant of the Northern War with the Swedes, the battle of Poltava.
7. Peter Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev (1725 - 1796) - Count, General - Field Marshal. Participant russian-Swedish war, Seven Years War. The largest victories were won by him during the first Russian-Turkish war (1768 - 1774), especially in the battles at Ryaboy Grave, Larga and Cahul and many other battles. The Turkish army was defeated. Rumyantsev became the first holder of the Order of St. George of the 1st degree and received the title of Transdanubia.
8.Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov (1729-1800) - His Serene Highness Prince of Italy, Count of Rymnik, Count of the Holy Roman Empire, Generalissimo of the Russian land and naval forces, Field Marshal of the Austrian and Sardinian armies, Grand of the Sardinian kingdom and prince royal blood (with the title "cousin of the king"), holder of all Russian and many foreign military orders awarded at that time.
Never in any of the battles given to him was he defeated. Moreover, in almost all these cases, he convincingly won with the numerical superiority of the enemy
he took the impregnable fortress of Izmail by storm, defeated the Turks at Rymnik, Focsani, Kinburn, etc. The Italian campaign of 1799 and the victory over the French, the immortal crossing of the Alps was the crown of his military leadership.
9. Fedor Fedorovich Ushakov (1745-1817) - an outstanding Russian naval commander, admiral. The Russian Orthodox Church canonized as a righteous warrior Theodore Ushakov. He laid the foundations for new naval tactics, founded the Black Sea Naval Fleet, led it with talent, having won a number of remarkable victories in the Black and Mediterranean Seas: in the Kerch naval battle, in the battles of Tendra, Kaliakria, etc. Ushakov's landmark victory was the capture of the island of Corfu in February 1799 g, where the combined actions of ships and land assault forces were successfully used.
Admiral Ushakov fought 40 sea battles. And they all ended in brilliant victories. The people called him "The Fleet Suvorov".
10. Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov (1745 - 1813) - famous Russian commander, field marshal general, His Serene Highness Prince. Hero Patriotic War 1812, full cavalier Order of St. George. He fought against the Turks, Tatars, Poles, French in various positions, including the Commander-in-Chief of armies and troops. Created light cavalry and infantry that did not exist in the Russian army
11.Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly (1761-1818) - prince, outstanding russian commander, Field Marshal, Minister of War, Hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, Full Knight of the Order of St. George. He commanded the entire Russian army at the initial stage of the Patriotic War of 1812, after which he was replaced by M.I.Kutuzov. In the overseas campaign of the Russian army in 1813-1814, he commanded the combined Russian-Prussian army as part of the Bohemian army of the Austrian Field Marshal Schwarzenberg.
12. Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration (1769-1812) - Prince, Russian general from infantry, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812. Descendant of the Georgian royal house of Bagration. The branch of the Kartalin princes Bagration (ancestors of Peter Ivanovich) was included in the number of Russian-princely families on October 4, 1803, when Emperor Alexander I approved the seventh part of the General Armorial
13. Nikolai Nikolaevich Raevsky (1771-1829) - Russian commander, hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, cavalry general. For thirty years of impeccable service, he participated in many of the largest battles of the era. After the feat at Saltanovka, he became one of the most popular generals of the Russian army. The fight for the Raevsky battery was one of the key episodes of the Borodino battle. By the time the Persian army invaded Georgia in 1795, and fulfilling its obligations under the Treaty of Georgievsk, the Russian government declared war on Persia. In March 1796, the Nizhniy Novgorod regiment as part of V.A.Zubov's corps set off on a 16-month campaign to Derbent. In May, after ten days of siege, Derbent was taken. Together with the main forces, he reached the Kura River. In difficult mountain conditions, Raevsky showed his best qualities: "The 23-year-old commander managed to maintain complete order of battle and strict military discipline during the exhausting campaign."
14. Alexey Petrovich Ermolov (1777-1861) - Russian military leader and statesman, participant in many major wars, which the Russian Empire led from the 1790s to 1820s. General of Infantry. General of the artillery. Hero of the Caucasian War. During the campaign of 1818, he supervised the construction of the Groznaya fortress. In his subordination were the troops sent to pacify the Avar Khan Shamil. In 1819 Yermolov began to build a new fortress - Sudden. In 1823 he commanded military operations in Dagestan, and in 1825 he fought with the Chechens.
15. Matvey Ivanovich Platov (1753-1818) - Count, General of the Cavalry, Cossack. Participated in all wars late XVIII — early XIX century. Since 1801 - ataman of the Don Cossack army. He took part in the battle of Preussisch-Eylau, then in the Turkish war. During the Patriotic War, at first he commanded all the Cossack regiments on the border, and then, covering the retreat of the army, he had successful affairs with the enemy near the town of Mir and Romanovo. During the retreat of the French army, Platov, relentlessly pursuing her, inflicted defeats on her at Gorodnya, Kolotsky monastery, Gzhatsk, Tsarevo-Zaymishche, near Dukhovshchina and while crossing the river Vop. For his merits he was elevated to the count's dignity. In November Platov took Smolensk from the battle and defeated the troops of Marshal Ney at Dubrovna. At the beginning of January 1813 he entered Prussia and surrounded Danzig; in September he received command over a special corps, with which he participated in the battle of Leipzig and, pursuing the enemy, took about 15 thousand prisoners. In 1814, he fought at the head of his regiments in the capture of Nemur, at Arcy-sur-Oba, Cézanne, Villeneuve.
16. Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev (1788-1851) - Russian naval commander and navigator, admiral, holder of the Order of St. George IV class and discoverer of Antarctica. Here in 1827, commanding the warship "Azov", MP Lazarev took part in the Navarino battle. Fighting with five Turkish ships, he destroyed them: he sank two large frigates and one corvette, burned a flagship under the flag of Tagir Pasha, forced an 80-gun ship of the line to run aground, after which he lit it and blew it up. In addition, the Azov, under the command of Lazarev, destroyed the flagship of Muharrem Bey. For participation in the Battle of Navarino, Lazarev was promoted to rear admiral and awarded three orders at once (Greek - "Commander's Cross of the Savior", English - Baths and French - St. Louis, and his ship "Azov" received the St. George flag.
17. Pavel Stepanovich Nakhimov (1802-1855) - Russian admiral. Under the command of Lazarev, M. P. performed in 1821-1825. voyage around the world aboard the cruiser frigate. During the voyage he was promoted to lieutenant. In the Navarino battle, commanded a battery on the battleship "Azov" under the command of MP Lazarev as part of the squadron of Admiral LP Geiden; for the difference in the battle he was awarded on December 21, 1827 the Order of St. George IV class No. 4141 and promoted to lieutenant commander. In 1828. took command of the corvette "Navarin", a captured Turkish ship, previously named "Nassabih Sabah". During the Russian-Turkish War of 1828-29, commanding a corvette, he blocked the Dardanelles as part of a Russian squadron. During the Sevastopol defense of 1854-55. took a strategic approach to the defense of the city. In Sevastopol, although Nakhimov was listed as the commander of the fleet and port, since February 1855, after the flooding of the fleet, he defended, as appointed by the commander-in-chief, the southern part of the city, leading the defense with amazing energy and enjoyed the greatest moral influence on the soldiers and sailors who called him "father -a benefactor ".
18. Vladimir Alekseevich Kornilov (1806-1855) - Vice Admiral (1852). Participated in the Battle of Navarino in 1827 and the Russian-Turkish War of 1828-29. From 1849 - chief of staff, from 1851 - actual commander The Black Sea Fleet... He advocated the rearmament of ships and the replacement of the sailing fleet with steam. IN Crimean war - One of the leaders of the Sevastopol defense.
19. Stepan Osipovich Makarov (1849 - 1904) - He was the founder of the theory of the unsinkability of a ship, one of the organizers of the creation of destroyer ships and torpedo boats. During the Russian-Turkish war of 1877 - 1878. carried out successful attacks on enemy ships with pole mines. He did two round the world travel and a number of Arctic voyages. Skillfully commanded the Pacific squadron in the defense of Port Arthur in the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905.
20. Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov (1896-1974) - The most famous Soviet commander is generally recognized as Marshal Soviet Union... Development of plans for all major operations of the united fronts, large groupings soviet troops and their implementation took place under his leadership. These operations always ended victoriously. They were decisive for the outcome of the war.
21. Konstantin Konstantinovich Rokossovsky (1896-1968) - an outstanding Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Marshal of Poland. Twice Hero of the Soviet Union
22. Ivan Stepanovich Konev (1897-1973) - Soviet commander, Marshal of the Soviet Union, twice Hero of the Soviet Union.
23. Leonid Aleksandrovich Govorov (1897-1955) - Soviet commander, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Soviet Union
24. Kirill Afanasevich Meretskov (1997-1968) - Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Soviet Union
25. Semyon Konstantinovich Timoshenko (1895-1970) - Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, twice Hero of the Soviet Union. In May 1940 - July 1941 People's Commissar of Defense of the USSR.
26. Fedor Ivanovich Tolbukhin (1894 - 1949) - Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Soviet Union
27. Vasily Ivanovich Chuikov (1900-1982) - Soviet military leader, Marshal of the Soviet Union, during the Great Patriotic War - commander of the 62nd Army, which distinguished itself especially in the Battle of Stalingrad. 2-waited hero of the USSR.
28. Andrey Ivanovich Eremenko (1892-1970) - Marshal of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Soviet Union. One of the most prominent commanders of the Great Patriotic War and the Second World War in general.
29. Radion Yakovlevich Malinovsky (1897-1967) - Soviet military leader and statesman. The commander of the Great Patriotic War, Marshal of the Soviet Union, from 1957 to 1967 - Minister of Defense of the USSR.
30. Nikolai Gerasimovich Kuznetsov (1904-1974) - Soviet naval leader, Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union, headed the Soviet Navy (as People's Commissar Navy (1939-1946), Minister of the Navy (1951-1953) and Commander-in-Chief)
31. Nikolai Fedorovich Vatutin (1901-1944) - General of the Army, Hero of the Soviet Union, belongs to the galaxy of the main commanders of the Great Patriotic War.
32. Ivan Danilovich Chernyakhovsky (1906-1945) - an outstanding Soviet military leader, army general, twice Hero of the Soviet Union.
33. Pavel Alekseevich Rotmistrov (1901-1982) - Soviet military leader, Hero of the Soviet Union, Chief Marshal of the armored forces, Doctor of Military Sciences, Professor.
And these are just some of the generals that are worthy of mention.
Wars are an integral part of human existence. And there are people whose tactical and strategic genius is fully revealed only during military operations. They are called the best generals in history... The 10 greatest of them we present to your attention today.
One of the famous Victory commanders was the only person in the history of the USSR who became a marshal of two countries at once: Poland and the Soviet Union.
During the Great Patriotic War, Rokossovsky led such important operations as the Battle of Moscow (1941), Stalingrad battle and Battle of Kursk (1942 and 1943).
However, his leadership talent was fully revealed during the liberation of Belarus in 1944. At the suggestion of Rokossovsky, the troops of the 1st Belorussian Front struck a blow in two main directions at once, depriving the Germans of the opportunity to maneuver their reserves. Well-prepared disinformation gave the German command a false idea of \u200b\u200bthe place of the general offensive.
According to many historians, during Operation Bagration, German troops suffered their greatest defeat in World War II.
The General, First Consul, and ultimately Emperor of France won many battles, mostly fighting the rest of Europe. He was proclaimed king of Italy, obliged Spain to help France with money and a fleet, and gave Holland to his brother Louis. And this is only a small part of his military achievements.
Fortune changed Napoleon in 1812 when he invaded Russia. After the first successes, the capture of Smolensk and the deserted Moscow, the Napoleonic army suffered a series of defeats, largely due to the large-scale partisan movement... Napoleon fled back to France, losing most of his army.
Forced to surrender after the titanic Battle of Leipzig in 1813, and abdicate for the first time in 1814, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. However, he managed to return to the French throne for 100 days in 1815, was defeated by Blucher and Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo, and spent the rest of his life on Saint Helena, trying to explain to anyone who listens why he is still the best general. in history.
One of the greatest generals in russian history was not a "nugget from the hinterland." He acquired his military experience under the command of such stars of military affairs as P.A. Rumyantsev and A.V. Suvorov.
Kutuzov's military talent was most clearly revealed in the confrontation with another great commander - Napoleon Bonaparte. He preferred to take care of the soldiers and not engage in large-scale battles with the French, giving the only general battle near the village of Borodino. Modern historians believe that the lack of victory at Borodino was one of the main factors in Napoleon's defeat.
Napoleon Bonaparte did not have much respect for his opponents, not sparing a strong word for them. However, for Kutuzov, he made an exception, explaining the failure of the Russian campaign "merciless Russian frosts."
One of the best military leaders in the world has not lost a single battle in his entire military career. And he participated in more than 60 major battles.
Among the most famous military campaigns of Suvorov included: the capture of Izmail and the Italian and Swiss campaigns.
- Ishmael - turkish fortress, built according to the latest (for that time) requirements of serfdom, was considered impregnable. Suvorov ordered the creation of a training camp imitating the ditch and rampart of the Izmail fortress. After eight days of training, Russian troops stormed Izmail.
- During the campaign in Northern Italy, Russian troops under the command of Suvorov liberated the Italians from the rule of the French Directory. And the count himself received from the Sardinian king the magnificent rank of "Grand Marshal of the Piedmontese troops."
- During the 17-day Swiss campaign, Suvorov's famous crossing over the Alps took place. After the storming of the Saint Gotthard Pass and the capture of the Devil's Bridge, exhausted and hungry Russian soldiers went to the town of Altdorf, from which there was no further road through the mountains. Suvorov and his miraculous heroes had to cross the Rostock Ridge and the Muoten Valley with their wounded comrades, provisions and weapons without any climbing equipment. Unfortunately, due to the numerous betrayals of the Austrians, the Swiss campaign could not be completed as planned in St. Petersburg. The French were not defeated, and the Russian corps of General Rimsky-Korsakov was completely destroyed.
Having doubled the territory of Prussia during his reign, Frederick, nicknamed by his contemporaries the Great, fought with the Russians, Saxons, French, Swedes and Austrians. In the battles of Rosbach and Leuthen, he valiantly conquered forces more than double his own, mainly due to two skills he considered the key to victory: speed of decision making and lightning speed of their implementation.
Napoleon, during the invasion of Prussia, said about Frederick: "If this man were still alive, I would not be here." Frederick died peacefully in his sleep in 1786.
This Czech commander and leader of the Hussites can rightfully be called the "honey badger" of his time, for his fearlessness, severity and ingenuity. Judge for yourself.
- Before becoming the leader of the Hussites (representatives of the Czech reformist religious movement), Zizka managed to fight for the Poles, the Hungarians, and the British (but this is not certain, since there is no reliable information about his service to Henry the Fifth). And in his free time from the war, he was the leader of the robbers, after which he was amnestied by the Czech king Wenceslas IV and accepted into his service.
- Having lost his second eye during the siege of Rabi castle, and being completely blind, Zizka continued to lead the army. He was taken in a cart, in full view of the soldiers, so that they would not lose their presence of mind. Where Ian lost his first eye - history is silent.
- Zizka's "tanks", also known as "wagenburg" or "tabor", were chained carts that hid crossbowmen, spearmen, shield-bearers and landing troops. Before such an all-round defense, the knightly cavalry was powerless.
- Ižka led the Hussites in numerous wars for many years before he died of the plague. Before his death, he asked to take off his skin and pull it on a drum, so that even after death he would terrify enemies.
Under the leadership of this brilliant commander, the Mongols conquered China, Central Asia, the Caucasus and even Eastern Europe. Genghis Khan (at birth called Temuchin or Temujin) was often ruthless, destroying the entire population of many cities that did not surrender to him.
On the other hand, he was also religiously tolerant, a tactical genius (refining the feigned retreat ploy) and a master of maintaining supply lines for the largest continental empire in human history.
It is probably the most famous of all the ancient Romans. After the conquest of Gaul, which expanded the territory of Rome to the English Channel and the Rhine, Julius Caesar became the first Roman general to cross both of these water obstacles. Under his leadership, the Roman legions invaded Britain.
These achievements provided the great Roman general with unrivaled military glory that threatened to outshine Cnaeus Pompey, Caesar's former triumvirate ally. Pompey accused Caesar of disobedience and treason and ordered him to disband his army and return to Rome. Caesar refused and in 49 BC. led his army to civil war, in which he won.
Thanks to Caesar, Rome became the largest empire in the Mediterranean.
The assassination of Julius Caesar happened shortly before he was supposed to go on a campaign against the Parthian Empire.
One of the greatest military leaders of antiquity went down in history as the man who brought Rome to its knees during the second Punic War... He defeated the Romans on Lake Trasimene, and lost only about 1,500 soldiers, which was incomparable with the losses suffered by the Roman army (15 thousand soldiers were killed, 6 thousand were captured).
In Cannes, Hannibal demonstrated one of the earliest examples of the "tick" tactics. Most of the Roman army ended up in a cauldron from which they could not escape. The Battle of Cannes entered the military annals as one of the bloodiest, according to various estimates, from 60 to 70 thousand Romans died. Hannibal captured Tarentum, Syracuse and Capua - the most important city in Italy after Rome.
Unfortunately for Hannibal, the Romans quickly realized that the tactic of “abandoning the battle” and liberating the cities captured by the Carthaginians meant that the army of Carthage could only chase Roman troops throughout Italy, causing trouble for the local population, but gradually depleting their strength. Ultimately, Hannibal was forced to retreat to Carthage, where he was defeated by Scipio at the Battle of Zama.
In Western historiography, this Macedonian king is known as Alexander the Great. He conquered an incredibly huge territory for his time - from Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt to Persia, Central Asia and the banks of the Indus - founded twenty separate cities of his name, and continued for centuries to be worshiped as God in many lands he conquered.
For the greatest military leader of all time, it was important not only to be able to win, but also to know what to do with victory. Alexander recognized the importance of people whom he conquered and did not strive for their assimilation. He brought Greek culture, philosophy and technology to the conquered peoples.
Alexander the Great died at the age of 32, before many of the other famous military leaders on this list won their first victory.
