The Generals of WWII

 

About the project

This project attempts to create a biographical database, which covers the army generals of all participating countries of the Second World War. At the moment the database contains 27344 short biographical sketches of the army generals of World War 2.

However, taking into account the scope of the project, the information on each general will vary in detail. Some generals have only been identified and listed with their last names, while others are listed with full names and sketches of their military careers. I am engaged in the quest for further biographical information on the generals and as a result there will be continual updates.

To find information on a specific general use the Search function or just click on The Generals and then choose the country of origin.

I hope that you will find this a useful reference tool.

General of the day

Portrait of Major-General Ronald Frederick King David Belchem

Belchem, Ronald Frederick King David

Major-General

* 21st of January 1911

† 19th of July 1981

(Royal Tank Corps)

Flag for Great Britain

Promotions

1941-09-10 Acting Lieutenant-Colonel
1941-12-10 Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
1942-12-09 Reverted to War Substantive Major
1943-01-24 Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
1943-08-25 Acting Colonel
1943-08-25 Acting Brigadier
1944-02-25 War Substantive Lieutenant-Colonel
1944-02-25 Temporary Colonel
1944-02-25 Temporary Brigadier
1948-10-09 Temporary Major-General promotion: 31.12.1949 Colonel
1950-02-01 Brigadier
1950-12-20 Reverted to Brigadier
1953-12-18 Granted the honorary rank of Major-General

Service

1941-09-10 –1942-12-09 General Staff Officer 1, 8th Army [North Africa] 29.12.42-23.01.43: Brigade Major, 2nd Armoured Brigade [North Africa]
1943-01-24 –1943-04-15 Commanding Officer 1st Royal Tank Regiment [North Africa]
1943-04-16 –1943-08-24 General Staff Officer 1, 8th Army [Italy]
1943-08-25 –1944-01-XX Brigadier General Staff (Operations), 8th Army [Italy]
1944-01-XX –1944-09-01 Brigadier General Staff (Special Planning Section) 21st Army Group [North-West Europe]
1944-09-01 –1945-05-07 Brigadier General Staff (Operations), 21st Army Group [North-West Europe]
1946-XX-XX –1947-XX-XX Chairman of Committee on British & Commonwealth Commander in Chief Conferences
1947-01-14 –1947-12-XX Attending the Imperial Defence College
1948-01-02 –1948-10-08 Commanding Officer 6th Infantry Brigade [Germany]
1948-10-09 –1950-12-XX Chief of Staff to Field Marshal Montgomery
1950-12-XX –1953-XX-XX Commanding Officer 33rd Armoured Brigade [Germany]
1953-12-18 Retired
Picture source: Courtesy of Paul Godley
 

Contact

Any comments, suggestions or corrections please feel free to contact me at:
webmaster@generals.dk

Best Regards
Steen Ammentorp, Librarian DB., M.L.I.Sc.