Who was the best general Hitler had among himself and why?
I nominate Erich von Manstein[1.Here is a summary of his most notable achievements and mistakes:
- For the first German attack on the Western Front[2, von Manstein proposed to lead the attack through the Ardennes[3 , Belgium, which sufficiently flanked the Maginot Line and the Allied Forces.
While this was a strategic[4 mastertrain), a short time later followed the unbelievably fast advance into the English Channel, which was a tactical[5 Bravur.
Manstein launched a counter-attack that saved the divisons while taking over 12,000 prisoners and 141 tanks.
When he intercepted a subsequent Soviet attack in eastern Crimea, he captured 170,000 prisoners, 1,333 firearms and 258 tanks. He lost just 8,000 soldiers.
Although he made progress in the first period, Hitler ordered that the 6th Army not be allowed to fight its way in order to join the saving forces. It is now doubtful whether this would have worked if they had done so. But no matter what, this action failed. [13
Von Manstein prevented this by launching a surprise attack near Kursk[15.He captured 23,000 Soviets and 614 tanks. Although Germany lost the battle[16 (Soviets gain a defensive success), besides the last offensive against the Eastern Front, this allowed the troops in the caucasus to escape.
Translated
“Flo”
Footnotes
[1 Erich von Manstein – Wikipedia
[4 Strategy (military) – Wikipedia
[5 Tactics (Military) – Wikipedia
[6 Barbarossa Company – Wikipedia
[7 German-Soviet War – Wikipedia
[9 Leningrad Blockade – Wikipedia
[11 6.Army (Wehrmacht) – Wikipedia