Erich von Manstein

Manstein commanded the 11th Army in the assault on the Soviet fortress of Sevastopol in Crimea. After a prolonged siege, German forces captured the city in July 1942. For this victory, Manstein was promoted to field marshal.

Manstein commanded Army Group South during the Battle of Kursk, the largest tank battle in history. His forces achieved tactical successes at Prokhorovka but failed to break through Soviet defenses. The German offensive was halted, marking a strategic defeat on the Eastern Front.

Manstein did not plan the Ardennes Offensive; that was Hitler's plan. Manstein was the primary planner of the 1940 Ardennes offensive through Belgium and France. His plan, known as the Manstein Plan, involved a surprise armored thrust through the Ardennes forest, leading to the rapid defeat of France.

After repeated disagreements with Hitler over military strategy, Manstein was dismissed from command of Army Group South in March 1944. He was replaced by Walter Model and never held another active command during the war.

Manstein was tried by a British military court in Hamburg for war crimes, including the use of scorched earth tactics and mistreatment of prisoners. He was convicted on several counts and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment, but was released in 1953 due to health reasons.