2. John Monash
John Monash, an Australian general, was one of the architects of the Third Battle of Picardy, which unlocked the final phase of the First World War. He led the 4th Brigade in 1915-16 during the Gallipoli campaign and became commander of the Australian 3rd Division in France. Monash took General William Birdwood’s place as commander of the Australian Corps and achieved a series of victories in that position in the final phase of World War 1.
1. Erich Ludendorff
Germany’s Erich Ludendorff was widely responsible for the victory over Russian forces at Tannenberg. Many sources point out that this led to the Russian Revolution and their subsequent withdrawal from the battle in spring of 1917.
He was less successful against Britain though. He ordered unrestricted submarine warfare against the British in 1917 to break the blockade. This failed. His attempts, however, caused the US to join the war. Ludendorff later launched a full-scale attack in the West in March 1918, the Spring Offensive. This started with some success, but that did not last long. He soon realized he had lost after the Second Battle of the Marne. He wanted the war to continue but his demand was rejected, and he resigned on October 26, 1918.