Narrow Escapes of World War II episode 6: How Erich Von Manstein’s miraculous escape from the Red Army later became the basis for NATO’s defence plans. By the spring of 1943, the German army is on the run across southern Russia. Gen. Erich von Manstein has plans for a new, highly mobile form of defensive warfare that might reverse the course of the war in the East. But first he has to convince Hitler, who is adamantly opposed to any kind of retreat, strategic or otherwise. Spring 1943, the German army on the Eastern front was in deep trouble.
This is the confrontation between two of WWII’s greatest generals. Erich von Manstein – Hitler’s most brilliant tactician. Georgy Zhukov – Stalin’s enforcer. Historians have estimated Manstein’s defensive warfare tactics may have prolonged the war by up to 12 months. He loathed the Fuhrer and was never a Nazi. But Erich von Manstein was also Hitler’s most brilliant general – the architect of Germany’s invasion of France. But now he was on the run, outnumbered eight to one by the Red Army on the Eastern Front. What von Manstein did next would be taught in military academies for decades to come and become the basis for NATO’s defence plans against the Soviets after the war. He conducted one of the great defences in all history. Manstein won such respect Winston Churchill even paid for his defence when he went on trial after the war.
Narrow Escapes of World War II tells the real stories of courageous and deadly fights against impossible odds. The extraordinary stories of heroes; men who stand up and fight when everything seems lost. Those brilliant generals, ferocious warriors and individual acts of courage that can turn the tide in a war, and whose stories can still be told as shining examples of bravery and courage. This series combines eyewitness and expert testimony with specially shot material, dramatic reconstruction and archive much of it previously unseen.
Revisit some of the most daring missions of World War II as recounted by leading historians, military experts, and occasionally by the participants themselves. These 13 gripping episodes feature operations that took place all over the world—from the jungles of Southeast Asia to the steppes of southern Russia, from the foothills of the Himalayas to the frozen waters of the Baltic and the skies over Nazi-occupied France. With the benefit of original film footage, informative maps, and dramatic recreations, Narrow Escapes tells stories of valor, suffering, dedication, and determination—exploits of bravery that helped shape the outcome of the Second World War and continue to inspire today.
Narrow Escapes of World War II episode 6
Erich von Manstein was a German general who played a significant role in World War II. He is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant military strategists of the war and was responsible for several important victories for the German army. However, one of his most remarkable achievements was his miraculous escape from the Red Army in 1944. In March of that year, von Manstein was in charge of Army Group South, which was tasked with defending the eastern front against the Soviet Union. However, the Red Army launched a massive offensive that pushed the German forces back and threatened to encircle von Manstein’s army.
Despite the dire situation, von Manstein managed to organize a daring breakout that allowed his troops to escape the encirclement. The breakout involved using a combination of tanks and infantry to punch a hole through the Soviet lines and then moving rapidly to avoid being surrounded. The breakout was successful, and von Manstein’s army was able to escape and regroup. However, von Manstein himself was almost captured during the escape. He and his staff were ambushed by a Soviet patrol, and von Manstein narrowly avoided capture by disguising himself as a soldier and walking past the patrol undetected.
The escape was a remarkable feat of military skill and bravery, and it allowed von Manstein to continue to play an important role in the war. However, it was not enough to turn the tide of the war, and Germany eventually suffered a crushing defeat. Despite this, von Manstein’s escape remains a remarkable moment in military history. It is a testament to his skill and determination, as well as the bravery of the soldiers under his command. Today, it serves as a reminder of the incredible sacrifices and feats of heroism that took place during World War II.
Erich von Manstein’s miraculous escape from the Red Army in 1944 was a remarkable moment in military history. It demonstrated his skill and bravery, as well as the courage of the soldiers under his command. Today, it serves as a reminder of the incredible sacrifices made during World War II, and the enduring legacy of those who fought and died in the conflict.