Erich von Manstein
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| Erich von Manstein | |
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 Unknown. · CC BY-SA 3.0 de · source | |
| Name | Erich von Manstein |
| Caption | Manstein in 1938 |
| Birth name | Fritz Erich Georg Eduard von Lewinski |
| Birth date | 24 November 1887 |
| Birth place | Berlin, German Empire |
| Death date | 9 June 1973 |
| Death place | Irschenhausen, West Germany |
| Allegiance | * German Empire * Weimar Republic * Nazi Germany |
| Branch | German Army, Reichswehr, Heer |
| Serviceyears | 1906–1944 |
| Rank | Generalfeldmarschall |
| Commands | * 18th Infantry Division * XXXVIII Army Corps * LVI Panzer Corps * 11th Army * Army Group Don * Army Group South |
| Battles | * World War I * World War II |
| Awards | Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords |
| Laterwork | Author, military advisor |
Erich von Manstein was a prominent German field marshal during World War II, widely regarded as one of the most skilled operational commanders of the Wehrmacht. He played a crucial role in planning the invasion of Poland and was the architect of the audacious Ardennes offensive that led to the rapid defeat of France in 1940. Despite his significant tactical victories on the Eastern Front, including the conquest of Sevastopol and the dramatic Third Battle of Kharkov, his later disagreements with Adolf Hitler over strategy led to his dismissal in 1944.
Early life and career
Born Fritz Erich Georg Eduard von Lewinski in Berlin in 1887, he was adopted by the aristocratic von Manstein family. He entered the Prussian Army as a cadet in 1906 and served with distinction during World War I on both the Western and Eastern Fronts. During the interwar period, he rose steadily through the ranks of the Reichswehr, where he became a key proponent of modern combined arms warfare and held important staff positions, including on the German General Staff.
World War II
As Chief of Staff to Gerd von Rundstedt's Army Group South in 1939, he contributed to the operational plans for the invasion of Poland. His most famous contribution was the development of the "Sichelschnitt" plan, which formed the basis for the successful Battle of France in 1940. Commanding the LVI Panzer Corps, he led a rapid advance. In 1941, he took command of the 11th Army in the Crimea, capturing Sevastopol and being promoted to Generalfeldmarschall. Following the Battle of Stalingrad, he commanded Army Group Don and later Army Group South, masterminding the Third Battle of Kharkov in early 1943. He commanded the southern flank during the Battle of Kursk and subsequently conducted a series of difficult defensive retreats, often clashing with Hitler over the need for operational flexibility. These disagreements culminated in his dismissal from command in March 1944.
Post-war life and legacy
Captured by British forces in 1945, he was tried for war crimes at the High Command trial in Nuremberg and convicted in 1949 for neglecting to protect civilian lives. Sentenced to 18 years, he was released in 1953 due to health reasons and served as a senior military advisor to the nascent Bundeswehr of West Germany. His memoirs, Lost Victories, published in 1955, were highly influential in postwar military circles. He died in Irschenhausen in 1973, remembered as a brilliant tactician whose legacy remains intertwined with the criminal nature of the Nazi regime he served.
Military theory and publications
Manstein was a master of operational maneuver, emphasizing surprise, encirclement, and the decisive use of Panzer forces. His thinking was deeply influenced by the Schlieffen Plan tradition and the teachings of Alfred von Schlieffen. His seminal work, Lost Victories, is a detailed critique of Eastern Front strategy from his perspective, arguing that Hitler's rigid defense orders cost Germany potential successes. The book became a key text in the study of operational art within NATO and influenced generations of staff officers.
Awards and decorations
His numerous awards included the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, one of Nazi Germany's highest military honors. He received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his leadership in France, the Oak Leaves for the capture of Sevastopol, and the Swords for the Third Battle of Kharkov. He was also a recipient of the 1914 Iron Cross First Class, the Wound Badge, and the Crimea Shield.
Category:German military personnel of World War II Category:German Army generals Category:Recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords