(Special BW note: Although the POD in this TL is 1891, nearly all events take place in the 20th century so I have opted to post it in after 1900)
An important assignment (prolouge) That's all a man can hope for during his lifetime - to set an example - and when he is dead, to be an inspiration for history - President William McKinley
The Riech's chancellory October 1891
The chancellor of the German empire Chlodwig Prince of Hohenlohe summoned the officer into his office. Handing out ambassadorships and assignments was one of the more pedestrian parts of the job, but at least it could be done at the slower pace that the old prince could keep up with.
The officer in front of him was a power player regardless of rank, descended from the legendary Brochwisz/Lewisky/Manstein family which had produced Prussian generals for generations including a corps commander in the Franco Prussian war 20 years before.
Good afternoon Oberst, you have been summoned here for an important task. You are being assigned as our military attache to the United States. This posting will be effective in January at which time we will be dispatching you to Washington. Make all the observations you can to the foreign office and to your own command... we will be placing our trust in your judgement
I will have many arrangements to make, thank you your highness
The foreign office will make those arrangements for you Oberst, you just get your family ready for your new service
On January 4th 1892 Georg Von Manstein, his wife Hedwig and his adopted 4 year old son Erich sailed aboard the steamship Lubeck with the port of New York as their destination. As they reached the harbor, passing by the statue of liberty and seeing the many tall buildings both established and under construction, Georg told his son that he would see many new and interesting things in America and that they where amongst the foremost builders and thinkers in the world. Young Erich's eyes where swallowed up by the skyline of the big city, a stark contrast from his parent's quiet and peaceful Prussian estate home, the fear and doubt of leaving his home vanished behind those tall buildings, and his curiousity was fired up to it's highest levels. He hadn't set foot in America yet, but he already was amazed by it
to be continued...
Georg Von Manstein military attache to the United States
Chlodwig who sent the Manstein family to the united states
Rapidly rising buildings in New York captured young Erich Von Manstein's imagination