5. Erwin Rommel
Nicknamed the Desert Fox, German general Rommel fought against the Allied offensive of Generals Montgomery and Patton in North Africa. After showing brilliance in the Axis push toward France and Belgium, he was promoted to general of a Panzer division and transferred to North Africa. He was ordered to hold a foothold there until the Furher had conquered either Britain or Russia. Reinforcements would have later been sent to make an all-out attack against Britain and the United States later on.
However having lost air superiority in Europe and needing the troops in the eastern and western fronts, Hitler refused to send Rommel more supplies and troops. Instead, he gave the order to retreat. Even though he was vastly outnumbered, Rommel was able to inflict massive damage on Allied troops.
The Battle of Gazala, in May and June of 1942, was one of the largest engagements in history occurred. Although both sides suffered high casualties, Rommel took the upper hand, only suffering around 80,000 casualties and losing 114 tanks, while the Allies suffered about 175,000 casualties and lost 540 tanks. After pushing the Allies to Egypt, both sides stopped at El Alamein.
Unlike the Axis, the Allies received fresh supplies and reinforcements which allowed them to continue hostilities and win. Even so, Rommel held the Allied army to a tactical draw. On his retreat toward Tunisia, he was still able to delay the Allies and make offensives, until he returned to Germany and was then assigned to Greece and later to Normandy.
He was presumably forced to commit suicide after being found guilty of a plot to kill Hitler on July 20 of 1944.