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Hello gents, and welcome to the 4th installment of my series; "Manstein in Africa" This book as the title suggests is going to focus on clashes, Brinkmann vs the allied naval high command, Manstein vs Buddeny, Rommel vs Zhukov and more. As always your feedback is not only highly valued, but frequently gets incorporated into the story, and I will continue to try to make it an active point to respond to questions and feedback. If you are new to the thread, I would recommend reading the other installments so that you may familiarize yourself with the story arc.

Manstein in Africa part 1
Manstein in Africa part 2
Manstein in Africa part 3

I hope you enjoy book 4 of Manstein in Africa - BW749

A grace not often seen (Prolouge)

Hitler's military HQ January 1942

Paulus had used his long standing connection to Manstein to convince him to return to Berlin for a round of kiss and make up with Hitler. Paulus knew the magic button to push with Manstein was his wife, whom he had known for almost a decade. She was an ardent admirer of the fuhrer, and had been an early donar to his campaigns going back to the 30's. He had arranged a dinner and invited Mrs. Manstein along since Mrs. Paulus had made the journey with him to take in the beautiful if bonechilling Baltic winter.

A quick "slip" that Hitler was looking to make amends with the Genius of Desert made Mrs. Manstein light up, and she immediately called on their adjutant to start making plans for them to return to Berlin. Erich was blindsided by Paulus who didn't even tell him the nature of his visit beyond social calls, but was forced to admit, the man knew what buttons to push in men's souls' even if he was an asshole about it


Paulus just before he was dispatched to bring Manstein back to Berlin

When Generalfeldmarschal von Manstein was returned to Hitler's presence he was amazed at what he saw. Numerous case studies, and memorandom that he had written, some going back to 1934, law strewn about the Fuhrer's desk

Hitler: It is most unfortunate that our minds had a parting Von Manstein, the situation will be growing more critical in the days ahead, and I must say it that I need you
Manstein: I have a duty to the soldiers to which I am given to command, to do what I think is best, and to fight for those ideas with all heart my fuhrer
Hitler: I know that, and having been told a great tale over how past leaders handled this kind of impass, I feel we can come to an agreement. I have reread your entire jacket, and all of your staff papers, I have to say I am most impressed, there is a taste of aggressiveness and boldness that belongs wholeheartedly in the new national socialist army
Manstein: Thank you my fuhrer
Hitler: My reasons for directing the battle in Palestine in the matter I did may not have made sense to you, and your sweep operation would suredly have been another blitz success. There was a political element involved that I kept from you which in retrospect was a mistake. Normally I am a man of guarded vision Manstein, but I am now convinced I can share this with you, so that you can better impliment my plans
Manstein: What do you mean?
Hitler: The entry of Turkey into the war, and their achieving some initial success against weak opposition is vital to the long term war effort. To just have the Panzer Army Africa surge north, and capture all the objectives and turn them over to the Turks, would be a missed opportunity to build up their confidence and trust in their own army and in Germany, even at the expense of extra weeks of campaigning. The Duce said as much to Marshal Bastico, and although he favored your plan of attack, on understanding the political element, he was able to perform within our desired method
Manstein: I see, had I known the overall direction the theater was to undertake, we could have worked on some alternatives
Hitler: Indeed, and this was my error, and I will not make it again. From now on you will have unrestricted insite to the war effort, both from me and the Duce, so that you may plan your attacks accordingly. Reichenau and Bastico have nearly wrapped up the campaign, I want you to return to the theater to stand at the head of your men for their great victory parades to come. You will also oversea setting up a secure corridor for the oil comming from Iraq to be transported to the Reich to increase the power of our war economy. You will immediately start building strong defensive positions around the oil fields, both to prevent sabotage, and to secure them against any possible Soviet intervention. Once the necessary arrangements have been made, your striking divisions, along with Ariette, Trieste and La Speiza will transfer into Turkey for operations against the Soviet oil producing regions during Barbarossa... Field Marshal Bastico will command the forces left to guard Iraq. It is absolutely vital that at the start of Barbarossa that you burst into the Soviet rear, capture the oil fields and reduce their economic capacity to fight. With the transition of Turkey into our camp, we will have many friends in that region, and a number of special operations based on your sea wolf concept will be conducted to increase confusion amongst our enemies and facilitate your advance through the mountains. Do you have any questions feldmarschall?
Manstein: No my fuhrer
Hitler: Good, my personal FW-200 Kondor is waiting for you at the Templehoff, it will take you to Alexandria; the men will be happy to have their commander back... good hunting Manstein; dismissed

To be continued...

your thoughts?


Manstein would form the southern arm of a huge pincer movement against lower Russia... Kleist, commanding the 1st Panzer Army and the satellite armies would command the critical northern arm... luckily for Hitler, the men had served together for years and could work together seemlessly
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