Erich Von Manstein

If you don't know much about Erich von Manstein, this book will be an informative and fairly balanced, if brief, introduction. If you are fairly familiar with Manstein's career, you will still probably learn something new. WWII coverage begins with von Manstein's involvement in the Polish and then French invasions. In the war with Russia coverage includes the drive toward Leningrad with special attention to the battle of Soltsy in the opening months that delayed the German advance toward Leningrad for weeks. The capture of the Crimea, relief attempt of Paulus at Stalingrad, the defense of the Chir-Don-Rostov line against Operation Little Saturn, the counterattack in Feb 1943 and the recapture of Kharkov, the Kursk offensive, the retreat to the Dnepr and the loss of Kiev, the Korsun Pocket and Hube's moving pocket affair are then covered. Although Mr Forczyk gives credit to von Manstein where credit is due, he also calls out his shortcomings, failures, and culpabilities as a commander. Forczyk clearly intends to puncture the over-inflated reputation Manstein has gained in some circles. Mostly, he achieves this with a balanced consideration of both his strengths and weaknesses. However, occasionally he takes what seem to be cheap shots. Thus Manstein 'bears considerable responsibility for Zitadelle' (Battle of Kursk) because he originally proposed it; but this ignores the fact that the situation completely changed in the months before it was actually carried out and Manstein ended up opposing the operation. Also Mr Forczyk believes that when von Manstein in his Lost Victories blames Hitler for the demise of 6th Army was just trying to pass the blame away from himself is incorrect. von Manstein was given an impossible task; the relief attempt was sure to fail. AG Don didn't have nearly enough forces to complete the relief and he didn't have any control over Paulus. Paulus didn't have any good options, but staying at Stalingrad was the worse. At least an attempted breakout in the early days with Hoth nearby had a small chance for a partial recovery but Hitler wouldn't allow it. The problem is that Forczyk barely has space to give his conclusions, let alone explain and justify them. All his criticisms may be justified, but he doesn't have room to give his reasons. Despite the criticism, this book is good and worthy of reading. I just feel von Manstein warranted less criticism and more appreciation than was given.