Hitler–Manstein dispute



The Hitler–Manstein dispute was a dispute between Field Marshal Erich von Manstein and German dictator Adolf Hitler before and during World War II.

Hitler generally distrusted officers with aristocratic backgrounds and frequently overruled and countermanded their opinions and orders. Hitler originally trusted Manstein, and after the conquest of France and the Crimea, Hitler dubbed him: "my most able general". However, the two developed an intense dispute because Manstein considered him irreplaceable and lived in the illusion that the former lance corporal could not do without him, and would pass the command on the Eastern Front to an expert like himself.

It ended with Manstein's dismissal in late 1944, German front collapse, and eventual surrender in April 1945.

History
Erich von Manstein, a Prussian field marshal obsessed with duty, loyalty, and obedience practically fought his own war against Hitler. General Staff officer of the 1st Panzer Division, Johann von Kielmansegg, said when asked about it:

"'There is virtually no other Commander-in-Chief who fought as many battles with Hitler and contributed as much to solutions at the front as Manstein did.'"

The dispute also became known as "the battle of arguments" inside the German high command, with officers referring to Manstein as: "the strategist" and Hitler: "the power bank". Manstein's close friend and colleague, Hans-Georg Krebs, later said:

"'To him, Hitler really was the ignorant lance corporal who fought in World War I, who imagined himself to be skilled and knowledgeable. He considered it a heavy blow that this man was now in charge of Germany's military destiny. He often said [during conferences] after closing the door: 'My God, what an idiot'."

Manstein believed he was serving Germany by waging Hitler's war, and by prolonging it. He didn't want to see or admit the crimes which happened so often on both sides during the war. Georg Lindemann, from the military resistance later said:

"'When he could see, and I believed he could, that the war was lost, that crimes had been committed at behind the front and at home, he knew one had to be prepared to change the situation. If this meant smashing the head, it had to be done.'"

Manstein's refused to take part in Nazism and politics in general, per the law for all soldiers and officers in the German Army. General Staff officer, Ulrich de Maziere, later said:

"'Manstein was not a Nazi. Not at all. There were irreconcilable differences between Hitler and Manstein on both sides, but in the tradition he had been educated he felt he had to do his duty.'"

Manstein also resisted the expansion and acts of the SA, and was against the so-called "Aryan Law" regarding Jews in the German Army. A friend of Manstein later explained how he intervened on behalf of a friend:

"'He intervened on behalf of a young officer, lieutenant von Schmeling, whose supervisor I had been when he was an ensign, I thought highly of him, and Manstein did this determination and went up as high as Beck.'"

Even though Manstein was highly respected by the high command the protest faded away without any change or consideration.

The bond between Hitler and Manstein was greatly strengthened when Manstein famously came up with the idea or plan that led to fall of France in 1940, known as the "sickle cut" plan. After a few days since the invasion, it became clear the strategy was working, and Manstein soon became famous for it, but later on, Hitler would take credit for the plan, and the dispute became personal. Manstein's son later said:

"'At the time, he saw it as his greatest achievement. At home we knew it was his doing. He was therefore not terrible pleased that everyone else, including Hitler, was [now] claiming the plan for themselves. And that Hitler was now selling it as his own brilliant idea.'"

Manstein played a key role in the early stages of Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, and Hitler promoted him to field marshal after his conquest of the Crimea and Sevastopol, the worlds strongest fortress, and saw his field marshal as a miracle maker and troubleshooter for the Eastern Front. Manstein become even more determined to win the war against Russia when one of his sons was killed at the front. After Stalingrad, Hitler expected Manstein to lead an attack that was intended to break the encirclement of the 6th Army. The attack failed with the collapse of an Italian and Romanian army, which guarded the flanks of Mainstein's forces, and he eventually called off the attack. Hitler placed Manstein in command of the Southern flank during the Battle of Kursk, which was the strongest flank, and Hitler once again expected a miracle from his "most able general", but the attack also failed, after which Hitler relieved Manstein of his responsibilities and transferred him to a much less decisive part of the front.

In March 1944, Manstein was present during a meeting at Hitler's private retreat, the Berghof, where he again became involded in a heated argument with Hitler, who claimed that everything depended on "holding out and never retreating". Field Marshal Walther Model's adjutant, Gunther Reichhelm, later described the event:

"'Hitler said to Manstein: 'I cannot use in the South. Field Marshal Model will take over.' To which Manstein replied: 'My Führer, please believe me when I say that I will use all strategic means at my disposal to defend the soil in which my son lies buried.'"

Hitler pretended that he still had full confidence in Manstein, and promised he would see action soon, but a few days later he was ordered to take leave to "recover his health", and Hitler never again saw or deployed Manstein. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels called Manstein: "Marshal Retreat" because of his insistence on retreating from certain points at the front during his command of Army Group A. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel called Manstein: "a man of illusions", because he believed Hitler would pass the command on the Eastern Front to him.

In October 1944, he wrote to the high command in Zossen, hoping to lead at least a battalion, but was refused all requests on Hitler's demand.