Fritz Erich von Manstein Biography and Timeline

Birth of Fritz Erich von Manstein

Birth of Fritz Erich von Manstein

Prussian Cadet Corps

Manstein entered the Prussian cadet system and began formal military training. His education at cadet schools in Plön and later near Berlin prepared him for service as a professional army officer.

3rd Foot Guards Regiment

After completing his cadet education, Manstein joined the Prussian 3rd Foot Guards Regiment as an ensign. This posting marked the beginning of his active service in the Imperial German Army.

Promotion to Lieutenant

Manstein received a commission as a lieutenant in the Prussian Army. The promotion began his career as a junior officer in the prestigious Foot Guards.

Prussian War Academy

Manstein began advanced officer education at the Prussian War Academy in Berlin. The outbreak of the First World War interrupted the course before he could complete the full programme.

Mobilisation for First World War

At the outbreak of the First World War, Manstein left his military studies for field service as an adjutant. He served with the German forces campaigning in Belgium and France.

Eastern Front Wounding

Manstein sustained a serious wound while serving on the Eastern Front in November 1914. The injury interrupted his frontline duties and was followed by a period of recovery.

Tenth Army Staff

Following his recovery, Manstein joined the staff of the German Tenth Army under General Max von Gallwitz. He gained experience in the planning and coordination of large military operations.

Promotion to Captain

Manstein was promoted to captain during the First World War. His growing responsibilities took him increasingly into staff work rather than regimental command.

Somme Front Service

Manstein worked with German army staff formations on the Somme during the major Allied offensive of 1916. His duties involved supporting the coordination and supply of formations under intense battlefield pressure.

Verdun Staff Service

Manstein served in staff appointments associated with German operations around Verdun. This assignment gave him experience of the logistical and operational difficulties of a prolonged offensive.

Fourth Cavalry Division

Manstein became a senior operations officer with the German Fourth Cavalry Division in the eastern theatre. He helped organise divisional operations during a period of shifting military conditions.

213th Infantry Division

Manstein transferred to the 213th Infantry Division on the Western Front as an operations staff officer. He remained involved in German divisional planning during the final year of the war.

Eastern Frontier Defence

After the First World War, Manstein worked with German eastern frontier defence organisations. His continued service helped him remain in the professional officer corps during the transition to the postwar army.

5th Infantry Regiment

Manstein assumed command of a company in the 5th Infantry Regiment at Angermünde. This posting returned him to troop leadership after several years devoted mainly to staff work.

Promotion to Major

Manstein was promoted to major in the Reichswehr. The appointment reflected his progression through the restricted interwar German officer corps.

Truppenamt Operations Branch

Manstein moved into the operations branch of the Truppenamt, the Reichswehr organisation that performed general-staff functions. His work involved military planning despite the restrictions imposed on Germany after the First World War.

Jäger Battalion Command

Manstein took command of a Jäger battalion in the 4th Infantry Regiment at Kolberg. The appointment expanded his direct command experience following years in army staff positions.

Promotion to Colonel

Manstein attained the rank of colonel during the expansion of his senior military responsibilities. He continued his career through the transition from the Reichswehr to the armed forces of Nazi Germany.

Military District III

Manstein served as chief of staff to General Erwin von Witzleben in Military District III. This Berlin-based assignment placed him in a significant administrative and operational staff position.

Chief Operations

Appointed Chief of Operations

Major General

Appointed Major General

Munich Crisis Staff Duties

During the Munich Crisis, Manstein served in a senior staff role under General Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb. The assignment involved preparing German army operations amid the confrontation over Czechoslovakia.

18th Infantry Division

Manstein assumed command of the 18th Infantry Division at Liegnitz. The posting gave him responsibility for a large infantry formation before the outbreak of the Second World War.

Army Group South

Chief of Staff to the Army Group South under General Gerd von Rundstedt

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of Poland

Chief of Staff to the Army Group South under General Gerd von Rundstedt

Role range: 1939-1945

Commander

Manstein is sacked as Chief of Staff of Army Group A and appointed Commander of an army corps in East Prussia

Commander

Manstein is sacked as Chief of Staff of Army Group A and appointed Commander of an army corps in East Prussia

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of France

Manstein is sacked as Chief of Staff of Army Group A and appointed Commander of an army corps in East Prussia

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of France

Hitler orders Manstein's invasion plans to be carried out

Role range: 1939-1945

Operation Fall Gelb

Hitler orders Manstein's invasion plans to be carried out

Role range: 1939-1945

XXXVIII Army Corps

During the German campaign in France, Manstein commanded XXXVIII Army Corps. He directed his formation in the west after moving from the planning staff positions for which he had previously been known.

Role range: 1939-1945

Promotion to General of Infantry

Following the successful German campaign in France, Manstein was promoted to General of Infantry. His higher rank reflected the increasing seniority of his field commands.

Invasion of France

Works with Guenther Blumentritt & Henning von Tresckow to develop the plan to invade France. Manstein serves under General Gunther von Kluge

Role range: 1939-1945

Invasion of France

Manstein & his colleagues suggest the German Army should attack through the wooded Ardennes hills. Hitler approves of the Manstein Plan to invade France

Role range: 1939-1945

Manstein Plan

Hitler approves of the Manstein Plan to invade France

Role range: 1939-1945

Operation Barbarossa

Serves under General Erich Hoepner

Role range: 1939-1945

Siege of Dvinsk

Manstein captures the bridges at Dvinsk

Role range: 1939-1945

Capture of Demyansk

Manstein captures Demyansk

Role range: 1939-1945

Capture of Torzhok

Manstein captures Torzhok

Role range: 1939-1945