Manstein - Field Marshal of the Wehrmacht Documentary

Erich von Manstein was born on November 24, 1887, in Berlin, into an aristocratic and military Prussian family. His father was Eduard von Lewinski, a Prussian general, and his mother was Helene von Sperling. Adopted by Georg and Hedwig von Manstein, he was raised among military icons and was destined for a career in the Prussian military. Despite the relative peace of the new German state during his upbringing, the family's involvement in past military campaigns and the unification of Germany under Otto von Bismarck shaped Erich's future.

Von Manstein began his military education at the Lyzeum in Strasbourg, a pre-military training school, at the age of seven. He later attended a cadet school and eventually the Prussian War Academy in Berlin. As Europe divided into military alliances, von Manstein's training progressed, and he gained early experience on both the Western and Eastern Fronts during World War I. His involvement in the war included the capture of Namur and operations around Verdun, as well as service in Poland and the Balkans. His experiences during World War I laid the foundation for his later strategic planning.

Following World War I, von Manstein continued his military career in the reduced Reichswehr, rising through the ranks during the Weimar Republic's tumultuous period. He opposed the 'Aryan Paragraph' but also showed support for Nazi ideologies. The rise of the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, and its eventual control over Germany in 1933, set the stage for significant changes in the German military and von Manstein's career. The Treaty of Versailles' restrictions were overturned, and von Manstein was promoted to key positions within the expanding Wehrmacht.

Von Manstein's political beliefs aligned with Nazi ideology, perceiving a threat from Bolshevik Communists and Jews to the German people. His military strategies were instrumental in the early successes of World War II, particularly in the invasion of Poland, where he advised on effective tactics that led to a swift victory. The German military's aggressive foreign policy in the late 1930s, including the annexation of Austria and Czechoslovakia, and the eventual invasion of Poland, marked the beginning of the war that von Manstein had earlier endorsed.

Von Manstein played a significant role in the planning and execution of the invasion of France in 1940. His strategic advice led to the successful encirclement and defeat of French and British forces, resulting in the famous Dunkirk evacuation. Despite initial success, the plan did not capture the entire British Expeditionary Force due to a combination of German strategic decisions and a daring British rescue operation.

Von Manstein was appointed as the commander of the 56th Panzer Group and participated in the planning of Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. His forces were tasked with moving through the Baltic States towards Leningrad. The operation initially met with great success, but the advance slowed as Russian resistance increased and the harsh winter approached. Von Manstein's military acumen was recognized with promotions and awards, including the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.

In 1941, von Manstein was transferred to command the 11th Army in Ukraine, where he oversaw the capture of the Crimean Peninsula and the siege of Sevastopol. Despite a lack of air support and harsh weather conditions, his forces made significant progress, although the siege of Sevastopol lasted until the summer of 1942. Von Manstein's strategies and tactics during this campaign demonstrated his ability to manage large-scale military operations.

Von Manstein's command faced challenges during the Russian winter, with the German advance stalling outside Leningrad and Moscow. He was reassigned to command Army Group Don during the Battle of Stalingrad, where he was tasked with planning a counter-offensive to relieve the encircled German 6th Army. However, his efforts were unsuccessful, and Hitler's refusal to allow a breakout led to the eventual surrender of the 6th Army.

As the war progressed, von Manstein was placed in charge of Army Group South and oversaw various operations, including a successful counter-offensive at Kharkov. Despite this victory, the strategic situation worsened for Germany, culminating in the failed Operation Citadel at Kursk. Von Manstein's role in these operations highlighted the diminishing chances of a German victory and the increasing difficulties faced by the German military.

In the final years of World War II, von Manstein commanded the German retreat from the Eastern Front. He objected to Hitler's order for all divisions to fight to the death and was dismissed from his command after a meeting with Hitler in March 1944. He spent the remainder of the war dealing with health issues, including a serious cataract problem, and was not reassigned to another command.

After the war, von Manstein was initially not put on trial and worked to defend the reputation of the German military, promoting the myth of the clean Wehrmacht. He testified at the Nuremberg trials to exonerate the Wehrmacht and attribute guilt to the Nazi Party and SS. However, evidence later emerged showing the Wehrmacht's complicity in war crimes, leading to von Manstein's arrest in 1948. He was found guilty of war crimes and sentenced to eighteen years in prison, although he only served just over three years.

Von Manstein was released early from prison and became a military advisor to the West German government. He published a memoir in 1955, further attempting to clear his name and that of the Wehrmacht. His legacy is one of intense debate, with his military capabilities recognized but his role in promoting the myth of the clean Wehrmacht and his own complicity in Nazi atrocities being scrutinized.