Field Marshal Erich von Manstein of Germany (1887-1973)
Fritz Erich Georg Eduard von Manstein was a Prussian nobleman who was born in 1887. He enlisted in the military at a young age and served in the First World War on both the Western and Eastern Fronts. His skill as a commander was evident during the Second World War's invasion of France. Manstein devised a strategy to get past the French fortifications along the Maginot Line. By assaulting France through the Low Countries and directing their major armored drive through the Ardennes Forest, the Germans achieved an astounding victory during Operation Sickle Cut.
General von Manstein was sent to the east for the Soviet Union invasion following the victory on the Western Front. During the Siege of Sevastopol, he oversaw the German forces and was successful in breaching the naval base's defenses, which were among the most formidable fortifications in the world. Von Manstein oversaw the Axis forces holding off the Soviet counteroffensive on the Kerch Peninsula shortly after Sevastopol fell. With a comprehensive defeat of the Soviet forces, von Manstein amassed yet another commanding victory.
Von Manstein found himself up against insurmountable odds as Germany's fortunes altered. Although many would contend that this goal was difficult from the beginning, he was unable to free the Germans trapped in the Stalingrad pocket. While German lines were disintegrating all around him, Von Manstein subsequently found success. At the Third Battle of Kharkiv, he won back a large portion of German land, routed three Soviet armies, and compelled the withdrawal of three more, but it was too little, too late.
Manstein may have had the power to alter German fortunes in the east, but his dismissal from office in March 1944 was a result of his disputes with Hitler's handling of the war. It was possibly one of the biggest errors Hitler made since it occurred at such a pivotal period for Nazi Germany. Von Manstein was a highly skilled commander who had the Nazi leadership paid him any attention, could have been able to alter the course of the war.
