World Famous Paintings -（Volume 1 and 2）

Author: Cheng Guangzhong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: World War II was the largest-scale war in human history. In this war between the fascist axis powers and the anti-fascist alliance, the number of troops and weapons involved, the extent of the battlefield, the novelty of combat forms, the magnitude of losses, and the depth of impact were unprecedented. Nearly 60 years have passed since World War II, and with the passage of time, it still attracts numerous military strategists and historians, both Chinese and foreign, to explore and write about it with its grand scale, profound connotations, and rich heritage. The "World Famous Paintings" series, written by a group of young and middle-aged military historians with expertise both within and outside the military, is another significant work in this regard. The series currently includes 15 famous figures such as "Roosevelt," "Churchill," "Stalin," "Eisenhower," "Patton," "MacArthur," "Montgomery," "Lekov," "De Gaulle," "Hitler," "Mussolini," "Goring," "Rommel," "Tojo," and "Yamamoto," basically covering representative figures who played decisive roles politically and militarily on both sides during World War II.
The current world is in a period of great change. The Cold War has ended, and the bipolar structure has collapsed. It is possible to avoid a new world war in the long term. However, the world is far from a paradise, and the existence of hegemonism and power politics remains the main obstacle to solving peace and development issues. Therefore, all those concerned about the international situation and future development, all young people with patriotic aspirations who are determined to serve in the military for the peace and happiness of their homeland, and all commanders and soldiers who are about to become generals or are determined to do so, should read this series. A stone from a foreign mountain can polish jade. It is hoped that this series can provide useful references for aspiring individuals and a broad readership.
Erich von Manstein, born on November 15, 1891, in a ordinary German family of a middle school principal. He joined the army in 1910 and was promoted to lieutenant two years later. During World War I, he fought in France and later on the Eastern Front against Romanian and Italian forces. Over the four-year-long battle, as a junior officer, Manstein proved himself brave and tactful, showing his potential in the flames of war and earning the Iron Cross from Emperor Wilhelm II. After World War I, he served as a battalion commander and an instructor at the military academy. In September 1936, he was appointed commander of Hitler's bodyguard. In 1937, Manstein published "Infantry Attacks," chronicling his personal combat experiences in World War I. The book embodied the offensive spirit of German military theory, emphasizing the importance of firepower and advocating the motto "Attack, attack, attack!" In 1938, Manstein was promoted to commander of the Führer's headquarters and to the rank of major general. In February 1940, he was appointed commander of the 7th Panzer Division. During the French campaign, he led the 7th Panzer Division across France, reaching Cherbourg with unprecedented speed and distance, earning the division the nickname "The Devil's Division."
In January 1941, when Italy's North African empire was on the brink of collapse, Hitler selected Manstein to command the German Afrika Korps as a lieutenant general. Upon arriving in North Africa, he turned the tide of the war within two months, capturing the entire Cyrenaica region except for Tobruk, sweeping through the desert with his signature whirlwind tactics. On June 15, the British launched a major offensive codenamed "Operation Crusader." Manstein defeated the British in mobile warfare and achieved victory. After this battle, Hitler promoted him to field marshal. On November 18, Churchill sent more troops to North Africa and launched another offensive codenamed "Operation Crusader." After achieving initial success in the counterattack, Manstein personally led the main force of the Afrika Korps across the El Alamein border to the east, attempting to cut off the British retreat. This move caused panic among the British, and the commander of the Eighth Army, Cunningham, was ready to order a full retreat. However, under the intervention of the British Middle East commander O'Connor, the British continued their offensive. Manstein's rear was stretched thin, and fuel was scarce, forcing him to withdraw. In January 1942, Manstein organized a systematic withdrawal to El Agheila. After replenishing his supplies, he launched another offensive, quickly broke through the British defenses, and recaptured Tobruk, conquering Cyrenaica. On June 22, 1942, Manstein was promoted to field marshal, reaching the pinnacle of his career. At the age of 51, this was the highest point in his life.
Following his victory, Manstein pressed his advance, covering over 500 kilometers in less than 10 days, reaching the Alamein in Egypt. However, the long supply lines of his forces increased logistical difficulties, and his exhausted troops lost momentum, forcing him to pause the offensive. Meanwhile, the British strengthened their forces in North Africa, and a steady stream of new American heavy tanks arrived, transforming the face of the British Middle East army. At the same time, Manstein had received almost no reinforcement since his decisive victory at El Alamein. On October 23, 1942, the new commander of the Eighth Army, Montgomery, launched "Operation Lightfoot" against Manstein. Manstein was fully aware of the unfavorable situation he faced. His ammunition was depleted, and the fuel for his tanks and vehicles was running low. If his forces held their ground, a breakthrough by the British would result in a encirclement, and the German army would be utterly destroyed. Therefore, despite Hitler's orders to hold firm, Manstein made the decisive decision to withdraw. At this point, Manstein had neither reserves nor fuel. However, Montgomery failed to detect Manstein's withdrawal in time, and when he did, he was too cautious to seize the opportunity for a decisive pursuit, allowing Manstein's retreating forces to narrowly escape annihilation. On November 9, Manstein finally led part of the Afrika Korps out of Egypt and withdrew to Libya.
In November 1943, Manstein was appointed commander of the B Army Group and ordered to strengthen the "Atlantic Wall" defenses. He repeatedly emphasized the principle of "defeating the enemy at sea." Under his leadership, the "Atlantic Wall" underwent a complete transformation in just a few months. R were erected on every possible landing beach, and five million mines were laid along thousands of kilometers of coastline. Sharp poles were placed in open areas to prevent gliders from landing. Despite the perfection of the "Atlantic Wall," the enemy could still bring strong forces and supplies ashore. Therefore, Manstein advocated deploying armored divisions near the coast to prevent the Allied air force from cutting off reserves from the battlefield. However, most senior officers, led by Western Front commander von Rundstedt, believed that dispersing armored divisions to defend the coast would not only fail to enable a strong counterattack but also lose mobility. They proposed deploying armored divisions in depth, waiting to determine the enemy's main attack point before launching an attack. Due to the prolonged debate, Hitler made a fateful compromise decision: to disperse the armored divisions near the coast but keep them at a distance, resulting in insufficient strategic and tactical armored reserves.
On June 6, 1944, the Allies landed at Normandy, and Manstein commanded the B Army Group to fiercely resist. However, due to the failure of the German armored reserves to arrive in time and the strong air and naval fire support from the Allies, Manstein's plan to drive the invaders into the sea at the outset of the landing failed. His car was also attacked by Allied aircraft, and despite suffering multiple injuries, he miraculously survived. On October 14, 1944, while recovering from his injuries, Manstein took his own life after being accused of participating in the July 20 assassination attempt on Hitler. Manstein's life was short, lasting only 52 years, but he spent 34 years in the military. His remarkable military qualities made him a formidable figure on the battlefield. He infused the offensive spirit of German military theory into his command, excelling at seizing fleeting opportunities, daring to defy opposition, and launching bold offensives. In battle, he always fought at the forefront, allowing him to control the rapidly changing battlefield. He embodied both the of a "tiger" and the cunning of a "fox." When leading his troops in charge, he was like a fierce tiger descending from the mountains. When employing various tricks to deceive the enemy, he was like a sly fox. Churchill once praised Manstein: "Although we fought each other in the devastation of war, allow me to say that he was a great general."