1. German Leaders:
- Adolf Hitler: The supreme leader of Nazi Germany, Hitler had overall control of the German war effort and made key decisions that ultimately contributed to the German defeat at Stalingrad.
- Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus: The commander of Germany's 6th Army, which formed the bulk of the German forces at Stalingrad. Paulus led the battle until his surrender to the Soviets on January 31, 1943.
- General Hermann Hoth: Commanded the 4th Panzer Army, responsible for the initial German attempts to relieve the encircled 6th Army.
- General Erich von Manstein: Led Army Group "Don" in unsuccessful efforts to rescue the German forces trapped in Stalingrad.
2. Soviet Leaders:
- Generalissimo Joseph Stalin: The supreme commander of the Soviet Union's armed forces, Stalin played a critical role in coordinating Soviet defenses and counteroffensives at Stalingrad.
- General Georgy Zhukov: Deputy Supreme Commander of the Red Army, Zhukov planned and executed the successful Soviet counteroffensive known as Operation Uranus, which eventually encircled the Germans at Stalingrad.
- General Alexander Vasilevsky: Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army, Vasilevsky assisted Zhukov in coordinating Soviet operations.
- General Konstantin Rokossovsky: Commanded the Don Front, one of the major Soviet formations responsible for defeating the German forces at Stalingrad.
3. Romanian Leaders:
- Ion Antonescu: The pro-Nazi dictator of Romania, Antonescu committed a significant number of Romanian troops to the Battle of Stalingrad alongside the German 6th Army.
The military leadership on both sides made crucial decisions throughout the Battle of Stalingrad that profoundly impacted the outcome of the battle and, ultimately, World War II.