Erich von Manstein quotes

Erich von Manstein was a German field marshal and one of the most prominent military strategists of World War II. Known for his leadership during several critical battles, he played a key role in the planning and execution of major German offensives on the Eastern Front. He is regarded as one of Germany’s most skilled commanders, though his legacy remains controversial due to his involvement with the Nazi regime. Here are 24 of his quotes:

If Paulus's army had capitulated before the end, the Russians would have had the advantage of withdrawing forces against Paulus and against the southern front, where I had only two Romanian armies. Therefore, the resistance of the Sixth German Army, even to the death of the last man, was necessary.

Erich von Manstein

But it is a well-known maxim of war that whoever tries to hold on to everything at once, finishes up by holding nothing at all.

Erich von Manstein

The will for victory which gives a commander the strength to see a grave crisis through is something very different from Hitler's will, which in the last analysis stemmed from a belief in his own 'mission'. Such a belief makes a man impervious to reason and leads him to think that his own will can operate even beyond the limits of hard reality - whether these consist in the presence of far superior enemy forces, in the conditions of space and time, or merely in the fact that the enemy also happens to have a will of his own.

Erich von Manstein

I tried at that time to relieve the Sixth Army, of which I was supreme commander, above Paulus, by counterattacks - but it was not possible. I gave the order finally for the Sixth Army to break out, but then Paulus said it was too late and not possible. Hitler did not want the Sixth Army to break out at any time, but to fight to the last man. I believe that Hitler said if the Sixth Army tried to break out, it would be their death.

Erich von Manstein

There are only four types of officer. First, there are the lazy, stupid ones. Leave them alone, they do no harm...Second, there are the hard-working, intelligent ones. They make excellent staff officers, ensuring that every detail is properly considered. Third, there are the hard-working, stupid ones. These people are a menace and must be fired at once. They create irrelevant work for everybody. Finally, there are the intelligent, lazy ones. They are suited for the highest office.

Erich von Manstein

A war is not lost until you consider it lost.

Erich von Manstein

Strength of character and inner fortitude, however, are decisive factors. The confidence of the man in the ranks rests upon a man's strength of character.

Erich von Manstein

While Hitler ... had an eye for any tactical opportunity [that] was offered him, he still lacked the ability to assess [the] practicality of a plan.

Erich von Manstein

He was not only the most brilliant strategist of all our generals, but he had a good political sense. A man of that quality was too difficult for Hitler to swallow for long. At conferences Manstein often differed from Hitler, in front of others, and would go so far as to declare that some of the ideas which Hitler put forward were nonsense.

Erich von Manstein

[Medals should be] worn with pride.

Erich von Manstein

I have known no other man who could show the same tenaciousness in a debate as Hitler.

Erich von Manstein

Hitler turned his back on reality [at the strategy table].

Erich von Manstein

What Hitler lacked ... was military experience based on experience - something for which his 'intuition' was no substitute.

Erich von Manstein

He is the best tactician and combat commander we have.

Erich von Manstein

Served the German military as a lifelong professional soldier.

Erich von Manstein

As for the tendency to deride the many different badges and [medals] created in the course of the war, people should merely bear in mind what feats our soldiers accomplished.

Erich von Manstein

[Hitler] lacked the ... figure of a [someone] truly trained in strategy.

Erich von Manstein

The general verdict among the German generals I interrogated in 1945 was that Field-Marshal von Manstein had proved the ablest commander in their Army, and the man they had most desired to become its Commander-in-Chief. It is very clear that he had a superb sense of operational possibilities and equal mastery in the conduct of operations, together with a greater grasp of the potentialities of mechanized forces than any other commander who had not been trained in the tank arm. In sum, he had military genius.

Erich von Manstein

The [chief] characteristic of Hitler's leadership [was] his over-estimation of the power of the will. [To win the war] this will had only to be translated into faith down to the youngest private soldier.

Erich von Manstein

Hitler overestimated the importance of [technology]. As a result, he would count on a mere handful of assault-gun detachment or the new Tiger tanks to restore situations where only large bodies of troops could have any prospect of success.

Erich von Manstein

I asked the Field Marshal von Manstein if he would take part in the actions against Hitler. Manstein was sitting in a chair and reading the Bible. Quick, almost embarrassed, he put it aside and covered it with some papers.

Erich von Manstein