10 famous military leaders who helped change the world.

Dwight Eisenhower (1890 – 1969) A five star General in the US army, Eisenhower was Supreme Allied Commander for the D-Day invasion of occupied Europe (1944-45). Also, successfully oversaw the invasion of North Africa (1942). First Supreme Commander of NATO.

Napoleon (1769 – 1821) As Emperor of France 1804-1815, Napoleon’s forces swept across Europe, gaining a hegemony over most of Europe. In many battles, Napoleon overcame numerical inferiority through superior use of tactics.

Alexander the Great (356 – 323 BC) As King of Macedonia, he established an Empire from the Ionian Sea to the Himalayas in India. Alexander the Great remained undefeated in battle.

Genghis Khan – ( 1162 – 1227) From humble beginnings, Genghis Khan conquered Mongolia and China and then created an Empire stretching into Central Europe. During his lifetime, his Mongol hordes were unstoppable.

Akbar (1542  – 1605) The third Moghul Emperor, Akbar consolidated his Empire across India, through a series of striking military victories, creating one of most affluent empires of the age.

Constantine the Great (272 – 337) Constantine served as Roman emperor from 306 to 337. He successfully defeated both internal rebellions and consolidated the Roman Empire defeating the Franks, Alamanni, Visigoths, and Sarmatians.

Erwin Rommel (1891 – 1944) ‘The Desert Fox’ was admired by both his troops and enemies developing a reputation for invincibility. He was a commander during the invasion of France (1940) and achieved striking victories in the North Africa desert war. He turned against Hitler in 1944, and was forced to take his own life.

Julius Caesar (100 BC – 44 BC) Under Caesar, the Roman Empire stretched to its furthers points – crossing the Rhine and into Britain for the first time.

Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) Winston Churchill became Prime Minister in May 1940, when Great Britain alone stood against Hitler. With stirring speeches, Churchill rallied the population and quashed those who wanted to make a deal with Hitler.

General Patton (1885 – 1945) US Commander during Second World War, Patton distinguished himself in Africa, Sicily and in the liberation of Frances – especially during the Battle of the Bulge.

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan. “Great Military Leaders”, Oxford, UK www.biographyonline.net, Last updated, 12 January 2018.

100 Great Military Leaders

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Other Great Military Leaders include:

• Ataturk – Turkish general in First World War. Helped defeat Allied forces at Gallipoli
• Attila the Hun
• Boudicca – (30AD – )Led Britons in revolt against Roman rule. Initially very successful in revolt before being defeated at the Battle of Watling Street
• Charlemagne (748 AD – 812) – Expanded the Frankish kingdoms to unite much of Europe (France, Germany and Italy) under one rule.
• Saladin (1138-1193) – Defeated European Crusaders. Became well respected by even his adversaries
• George Washington (1732-1799)- Military campaigner of American forces in the war of Independence.
• Duke of Wellington (1769 – 1852) – British Commander defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815
• Bernard Montgomery – Helped turned the tide of the Second World War at the Battle of El Alamein
• Robert the Bruce – Fought the English during the Scottish wars of independence, gaining the right to become King of an independent Scotland
• T.E. Lawrence
• King Arthur
• King Alfred
• Douglas Haig
• Adolf Hitler
• Abraham Lincoln
• Chairman Mao
• Bernard Montgomery
• Lord Nelson
• Saladin
• Joseph Stalin
• George Washington
• William Wallace
• Duke of Wellington

Related

People of the First World War (1914 to 1918) The principal figures involved in the First World War from Germany, Britain, US and the rest of the world. Includes David Lloyd George, Woodrow Wilson, the Kaiser and George Clemenceau.

People of the Second World War (1939-45) Influential leaders, generals and civilians who caused, influenced and fought during the Second World War. Including; Hitler, Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Truman, Emperor Hirohito, Eisenhower, Rommel and De Gaulle.

People of the American Revolution – Leading figures in the American Revolution. Includes military leaders, philosophers, British protagonists and ordinary people. List includes; George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, George III and Benjamin Franklin.