The best general of the eastern front?

Thanks for suggestion.I simply forgot about him.Brilliant chief of staff who could influence Stalin because Stalin didn't feel treatened by him , involved in planing of all major operations, and in the late stages of the war also proved as excellent field commander.

 

Also Vatutin..one of the most talented

 

Determining who was the best general on any front requires a lot of thought. Many qualities can express whether or not any one person was truly the best. Unlike those who preceded generals from World War II, very few people ever shine above others in terms of all qualities. It has been decades since anyone such as Alexander the Great or Gaius Julius Caesar has existed where they were so well known. But to get to my point, I believe it is easier to identify the best general of the eastern front in the Wehrmacht. The Soviets can't be very specified by tactics. Yes they did not only employ massive wave attacks, but it would seem to be that if I were to name someone on the Soviet side to be the best, I would have to do more research.

I can name two German generals that are most notable throughout the war. Heinz Guderian and General Manstein are obviously the most famous, in my opinion. In Guderian's diary, he explains how blitzkrieg should have worked if he had been able to halt his advance. Hitler however had other plans and bled the Germans dry by the time it was winter. It is because of Guderian that they were so successful throughout the war. Manstein was a fantastic general. Even though his front eventually collapsed, had he been supplied with what he needed, he should have been able to destroy the Soviets in the beginning. Seeing how Manstein didn't make a name for himself until 1941 while Guderian was the main reason for German success, I have only one conclusion at hand.

Heinz Guderian holds first, with Manstein in close follow. If I had to decide on the Soviets, I would nominate Zhukov without a second though. And just like Sloniksp, Rokossovsky holds second after Zhukov.

 

Both German generals are solid choices, but some of their fame rest on the fact that they told their side of the story post war and both had the luxury of being present when the Germans were at high tide. It can be equally telling how a commander performs when at every dis-advantage to his opponents.

 

I have to agree belasar, but the commander who understands how to wage war at the hands of those with the advantages is truly the best commander. That is where I stand on Rommel. He is absolutely the best German commander. Had he been given the necessary troops and armaments, while also having good health, he would most likely have been able to destroy the British and Australian forces in North Africa. Never the less, I agree with your point.

 

A suggestion to the starter of this question. If you plan on making a count of what answers are posted, you may wish to start putting them into a poll. Or put a link to a poll on here. Just a suggestion.

 

The Rommels myth was created by his personal friend Göbbels.

What I've heard is that he pretended he had dysentery. A nurse who examined him stated that there were no traces of disease. Do you realize what that means? Besides, his own soldiers claim that there were many other German generals who could have done his task at least equaly good, if not better.

I guess you understand German and I advice you to watch: Mythos Rommel, Der Krieger (2002).

 

That is an interesting point Tamino. I understand your case, plus I never knew what disease he had, if anything at all. This is going to force me to revise my ideas about his absence of leave. I don't know German but I know someone who could possibly translate it for me. One of the many disadvantages of not being bilingual.

 

That episode from Romels career has been mentioned here. at this forum.

... and this is complete documentary for German speakers:

 

As Rommel never served a day in the East, other than as an escort commander for Hitler during the Polish campaign, he has little value to this thread and we should move on.

 

I disagree. Indeed Rommel seems to have neglected one of the more critical areas of warfare, Logistics. Logistics would have defeated him even if he had recieved the support he wished and possibly even faster.

 

I'd say von Manstein was probably a better general than Rommel, especially for the Eastern Front... von Manstein's capture of the Crimea in 41/42 is certainly militarily impressive. Yes, he failed to reach the 6th Army at Stalingrad during Winter Storm but he redeemed himself at Kharkov later that year and preventing Army Group South's total destruction for at least another long while. He's probably my top candidate for the German commanders in the East.

As for the Russians... I'd say it's close between Rokkosovskiy, Rodmistrov, and Zhukov.

 

I would say either Rokossovsky then Koniev and Zhukov.....Those three were also in competition with Stalin's backing...