"General der Infanterie von Manstein had previously shown great merit
while serving as the chief of staff of a Heeresgruppe during the Polish campaign. While operating in the same role in the western theater he
played a decisive role in enabling our victory at the lower Somme river
through his role in the preparation of our operations. He was later
appointing as the commanding general of an Armee-Korps. In this latter
capacity he repeatedly contributed to our successes in the West due to
his leadership in the foremost lines during the course of the fighting
near the Somme, Seine and Loire rivers." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross citation, awarded on 19 July 1940.
"Awarded for his famous “Backhand Blow” during the Third Battle of Kharkov, which saw the Germans retake this important city and finally
stabilize the southern sector of the Eastern front for the first time
since the formation of the Stalingrad pocket." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves citation, awarded on 14 March 1943.
"Awarded for his command of Heeresgruppe Süd during the retreat battles
from the Donez to the Polish border. In this time Manstein’s operational
brilliance resolved many a crisis and was a major contributor in
preventing the collapse of the front despite the very difficult fighting
conditions." from his Knight's Cross to the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords citation, awarded on 30 March 1944.
A capable enemy elite,
Brian & Mel
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