6. George S. Patton
General Patton is known for helping liberate Western Europe from the Nazis by using their blitzkrieg technique against them. This allowed his troops to storm the Germans without allowing them to prepare defenses.
General Patton first rose to prominence fighting against Erwin Rommel in North Africa. After that, he moved to Italy and used the same technique throughout the Italian campaign. Afterward, he was given command of the Third Army, to which the Germans referred as “Patton’s Army”. His blitzkrieg tactic was opposed by British General Montgomery, who thought that more planning and defensive maneuvers were better. However, Patton became known for the American blitzkrieg which was so successful some thought that he was even better at it than the Germans.
At the end of 1944, Patton and his men stopped near Metz, France to resupply after a successful campaign, before moving on to invade Germany. The Germans took the opportunity to make a surprise attack and final offensive in the Ardennes in what was to be known as the Battle of the Bulge. His mobilization of the Third Army into the Ardennes saved the day and was able to relieve American troops fighting in Bastogne.
The tactical decisions and boldness of Patton at the Battle of the Bulge is still studied today in military schools. After this, he marched his troops into Germany and reached Berlin. He then became the military governor of Bavaria but was relieved soon after. He died in Germany on December 21, 1945, after he had suffered injuries from an automobile accident.