Joe Stillwell. Take a look at all the crap he had to put up with. Oh the best? (I thought my favorite.) Best General of the 20th century? 20th Century goes to.................... “Eric Von Manstein”. IMHO, If Von Manstein was given command of the Western front with as much equipment and personnel as Patton had, Patton would still be in England. Pattons Army may have moved quick, but they were fighting out numbered Volksturm divisions mostly. The toughest divisions were eaten up on the eastern front. Those with high casualty rates were sent back to be refitted, but it wasn’t the same fighting unit even though they carried the Division name and number. They may have been called a Division but for the most part they were about the size of a Brigade.
“Von Manstein”
Very good call.
regards,
Stilwell is another good choice, although he didn’t do much commanding in WWII; that Tuchman bio of “Vinegar Joe” is a great choice for anyone interested in 20th c Far East politics as well as WWII. Like Patton, Stilwell talked too much for his own good, and also like Patton, Stilwell was right on the money. Also, both men died right away (1945 and 1946, respectively).
Patton: the Speech
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/708544/posts
One Marine, One Ship
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1008503/posts