Manstein in Africa - The genius of the desert conclusive rewrite

BlairWitch749

Banned
Gentlemen, forgive the false start on the rewrite, I will post here my modified and expanded offering for the first segment of Manstein in Africa; as with the original submission, your feedback is enjoyed, observed and taken to heart - BW

The old quartermaster - (new prologue) "It became widely known that [the strategy that led to the fall of France] was essentially the work of one man ... General von Manstein." - Baron Freytag Von Loringhoven

Berlin Late January 1941

Hitler: Send Manstein to look again Jodl

Jodl: My fuhrer General Von Funk is more than competent and his evaluations should be considered fully trustworthy

Hitler: He is a defeatist and I can't have that, he says the problem is supply, so send Manstein to see what can be done, he is an old quartermaster, he will find a way things can be done properly

Jodl: He doesn't speak their language my fuhrer and he is not known for being cooperative

Hitler: (glaring with eyes and grinning with mouth) I think he would say the same of you Jodl, and considering the result of his planning for our attack on France, it should be you cooperating with him and not the other way around; stifling success is not the mark of a good commander (he let that insult sink in and wound the general before answering the other item)... send Richtoffen with him; he speaks their language and the Duce likes him; he will make things easier if Manstein is "uncooperative" as you say; send them right away, I want to get this settled immediately before Italy is completely rolled out of her colony

January 27th 1941, Tripoli

Manstein set foot on the ground that would become his theater of fame over the next several months just as the Sabartha division was collapsing several hundred miles to the east at Derna. He and Richtoffen barely bid good morning to the Italian laison officer before they set about exploring the port and followed by a rapid tour of the front aboard a Heinkel bomber. Over the next 48 hours Manstein and Richtoffen conducted a major staff study for the potential for German intervention in Africa to stave off a total Italian collapse; and collapse was certainly in progress.

As Manstein reported to Hitler on the scale of the calamity befalling the Italians on the 29th a telegram arrived from the foreign minister Ciano desperately requesting German aircraft and tanks to recover the situation, to which Hitler remarked "Failure has had the healthy effect of once more compressing Italian claims to within the natural boundaries of Italian capabilities."

to be continued...

thoughts?

220px-Richthofen.jpg

Wolfram Von Richtoffen was sent to study the possibilities of German intervention in Africa, with his long record of service in Spain and his doctorate in engineering; he was uniquely qualified to find solutions to the multi dimensional problem the Germans would face fighting so far from home

tumblr_m95xc4ucXG1qbzq4yo1_500.jpg

Manstein observes the fighting in Africa
 

BlondieBC

Banned
How big a staff are you sending with these guys? 48 hours seems fast for a full staff study unless he brought a lot of experts.
 

BlairWitch749

Banned
BlondieBC said:
How big a staff are you sending with these guys? 48 hours seems fast for a full staff study unless he brought a lot of experts.
Click to expand...

They have Von Funk and Von Thoma's observational studies to piggy back off of with the laison staff that was set up for the enterprise in OTL (Funk was there about 13 days or so seeing the calamity of Compass unfold)
 

BlairWitch749

Banned
Take care of it (New prolouge) - Mortal danger is an effective antidote for fixed ideas - Erwin Rommel

OKW planning Session Late January 1941

Generaleutant Erich Von Manstein appraised Hitler, Jodl, Raeder, Goring and Keitel of his findings

EVM- Our analysis of the situation in Africa does borrow some items from General von Funk's longer mission earlier this year, we were forced to keep our study short and direct due to the calamity befalling our Italian allies. My work was made greatly easier by the presence of General Von Richtoffen to provide air perspective and Captain Brinkmann to investigate naval matters

First, our observations on the situation as it stands:

Marshal Graziani has completely lost control of the situation, and his troops are in full retreat, even our cursory surface investigation has shown that his forces are badly equipped and badly lead... morale and relations between officers and men appears poor and should be considered a major contributor to Italy's poor performance to date. Make no mistake my fuhrer, Italy will be rolled out of Libya within weeks without our assistance

This will be a different sort of campaign than Germany has waged before, no horses will be sent as there is no forage to be had; it will have to be an entirely motorized force dependent on difficult lines of supply. In actuality based on our intelligence estimates of British strength and what we saw directly, the actual fighting campaign would be rather easier and requiring of less efforts than keeping what divisions we might commit supplied with fuel and ammunition. I concur with General Von Funk's analysis that 4 German divisions are the most that could be realistically maintained in the field for the foreseeable future and even this number would have to come at the expense of Italian reinforcement of their army as the roads simply cannot support much more of their footbound infantry which is of little value in the theater

WK - Italy will want to recover their lost honor, we cannot simply take over the theater for ourselves, the Duce will never accept it

EVM - That would never be possible in the first place.... however our forces coming into country should be given top priority, and before Italy sends any more men into the theater to suck up food water fuel and ammunitions they must begin a process of properly training the men to fight in Africa. The best course of action in this regard would be to take whichever German division is slotted to come into Africa last and let them set up shop in Italy itself to give a brief training course. Oberst Schmundt would be able to pull the proper files to find the division with the largest portion of Italian speakers; although from my own experience I would assume the 6th panzer division under Generalmajor Raus would be best suited for this role and he does speak their language

Based on our observations on the ground, the British are not so strong that with a serious committment that they couldn't be driven right back to the Suez Canal which opens up all manner of strategic options General Von Richtoffen will discuss the air situation

WVR A review of Reggia Aeronautica records along with our own intelligence estimates points to the Desert Air Force being small and largely equipped with obselete machines. Now of course we have to assume that our intervention into the theater will see the British ship as many new machines to the area as possible without sacrificing their home defense forces. If we can successfully block shipments through the mediterranian itself via air power and naval blockade, they will be forced to go all the way around Africa giving them a multi month lead time which we will not experience as we can directly fly our aircraft to their staging bases

The Luftwaffe's role as General Von Manstein has outlined in the documents before you would be several fold
1. Provide support to ground forces and attack British rear areas in Egypt
2. Fly top cover for convoys transiting between Italy and Africa to shield them from British air attack
3. Provide naval striking elements to suppress British fleet activity against the convoys and in the mediterranian as a whole

This will be taxing on machines, pilots and fuel and requires the committment of an entire luftflotten if it is to be done properly. It would be additionally helpful to secure Malta as well, as possession of airbases there would allow our aircraft an easier and shorter time to station for item 2 and 3

Given British weakness in the theater and the speed at which we could arrive and bring our power to bear it we should be able to establish air superiority in Libya and over the sealanes between Italy and Libya within 3 weeks of operational approval

My observations of Italian aircraft mirror what we saw in Spain, namely that their pilots are decent but their machines are underperformers, in order to get anything useful out of those men they will need to be provided with German aircraft

Captain Brinkmann will now discuss the naval situation

Our current estimate for total British forces split between Gibraltar and Alexandria is 5 battleships 1 battle cruiser, 2 air craft carriers 6 cruisers and 20-25 destroyers. The Italian Navy can roughly match this number except in the aircraft carriers and many of their ships are much more modern. However to date their fleet has shown little audicity and run from any serious engagements. Given Italy's weakness in a variety of items including communications, radar and electronics, in order to get anything out of their ships, Germany will have to provide assistance and advice; one thing we could do rapidly even if on a temporary bases is assign a Luftwaffe long range squadron to the Italian fleet and let them spot targets to improve their accurracy; they can also conduct long range recon as well which is also an area that Italy struggles with

In order to move the balance more decisively in our favor there are several items that should occur
1. Malta should be captured as this will provide a key staging area for Italian and German forces and deny a critical staging area to the British
2. The heavy units of the Kriegsmarine should continue an active raiding schedule to try and draw British units away from the Mediterranian
3. U-boats should be dispatched to the Mediterranian and the African route to disrupt British shipping and sink any major warships possible

to be continued

thoughts
 

cimon

The two best officers in WWII(not only of the German,but of any side) operating together!remarkble...Manstein said for Richthoffen in his "Verlorene Siege"(Lost Victories-Ibid):He was the greatest airforce commander of the war"
Generally the plan is good but as it will be shown OTL North Africa can support greater number of troops than initially committed.Balck and von Thoma might be needed as panzer division commanders as well as all the staff officers OTL that Rommel had-they all became famous.
The Italians must be persuaded to produce some of their new airplane models(with German assistance)and armour models or produce under licence because Germany in 1941 had not put its industry in war footing(probably afraid of public reaction-all totalitarian regimes are afraid of that) and it could not equip the Italian units with German machines and armaments.
 
Last edited:

History_Pintobean

This is excellent and should be continued. It'd be a shame if the OP simply stopped writing it.

Manstein In Africa was by far a good alternate history, and the rewrite simply makes it so much better.

Please, continue it if at all possible. :)
 

BlairWitch749

Banned
What was it you wrote? (New prolouge) - Decisions! And a general, a commander in chief who has not got the quality of decision, then he is no good. - Bernard Montgomery

OKW planning Session Late January 1941

Hitler: Manstein, thank you for your briefing, it seems we have a task before us whose difficulty is only matched by it's importance; we cannot have Italy driven out of her colony or anything of that sort, and if we are to commit to the war, we need to win it

Manstein: As you will see at the bottom of my papers my fuhrer, I have no doubts that we can win such a campaign, the effort required will be great but we can take the Suez Canal in 4 months if we put into place our plan.

Hitler: Now that sounds familiar, when you wrote sickle cut last year, you said we could win with our plan... there was something that came after that, what was it you wrote; remind me?

Manstein: That the usual German determination and flexibility will act as our trump should the plan run into any obstacles

Hitler: Yes yes... that's it, I liked that, the USUAL German determination, you understand the quality of the forces and that it has a value in planning all it's own. Schmundt, make the necessary arrangements to replace Manstein's command of the 56th panzer corps, the OKW is going to need his services in Africa

Manstein: I am honored my fuhrer

Hitler: You can be honored, just don't be overwhelmed, you have a large task before you. We will adopt your plan, but you must achieve victory in 4 months so as to not disrupt the plans to take out the Russians. Jodl give me the timeline for the forces we discussed again

Jodl: 5th light division to be in place in March, 15th panzer by April along with the Luftwaffe assets already discussed, and based on Captain Brinkmann's recommendation 3 uboats to stage in every two weeks over the course of the next 2 months. We are rail and river shipping 6 small uboat's to be assembled in Italy to take up station around Malta on his recommendation as well. Other forces outlined in Manstein and Funk's reports have not been detailed yet. As Manstein mentioned earlier, 6th panzer would be a good fit for the final division to ship; it has the highest proportion of Italian speakers and we can rotate/transfer additional Italian speaking officers until the formation ships out. The general staff hasn't keyed in on a 3rd formation yet. Whilst a full division could theoretically be fit in, Generalmajor Paulus has raised concerns that the shipping estimates may be too generous and that we might not have taken enough enemy action into account; especially until Malta is dealt with. He has suggested that this force instead be a reinforced regiment with strong anti aircraft and anti tank elements; at least until a number of more forward ports are taken and British airbases are captured so as to keep Tripoli and other unloading stations out of range

Hitler: So Raus to train the Italian replacements then? He would be good for that, and the 6th is all Austrians and Westphilians, that should be less intimidating than putting the 1st or 3rd in country with them... but I am not so sure we can spare him (Raus) from Russia, let's have him get the division into Italy and we will reserve final decision on that before the formation ships...

So Manstein, you have your orders, you'll have naval and air support, and you will have the 4 formations you asked for. We are placing our confidence in you, do not disappoint me. The Reichsmarshal, Ribbentrop and Dr. Todt will accompany you to Rome for the equipment items in your report and to set you up with a command structure that works for the OKW and the commando supremo; remember no matter what you are responsible to Germany first, and the German forces must operate under German command; coddle the Italians otherwise, tell them we intend to act as "guests" in their colony but otherwise take the steps needed and convince them to start taking the war seriously. Report back to me with your preparations or if you have any difficulties that require reference to Signor Mussolini

to be continued

thoughts?
9k=

type II uboats where transported by barge and rail to Italy for rapid transfer to the Med where they would patrol around Malta

2Q==

6th panzer division on a field exercise, would play professor to Italian reinforcements being sent to Libya

images

Erhard Raus commander of the 6th panzer division who would be in charge of bringing up the standards of the Italian army

Z

troops from the 5ht light division; Manstein's first formation to ship to africa freshly desert proofed with paint schemes and special air filters
 
machine3589

machine3589

I can`t see any of the pictures for some reason.

But hey, that isn`t really important. Interesting to see this back, I though it was dead.
 

BlairWitch749

Banned
You will have all the resources at my disposal! (amended; part of new prolouge)

Manstein's joint command conference with Commando Supremo January 1941,

Present were Bastico (who was replacing the relieved Graziani), Badaglio, Manstein, Goring, and Raus

Manstein's specialty going back to his days as quartermaster generator I of the army had been applying existing resources in an unconventional manner to solve Germany's problems. This had been born out by his more than a decade of service in the heavily restricted Reichswer which was surrounded by enemies but treaty bound to limit it's weapons. He had been the father of the innovative (although slowly produced for a variety of reasons beyond his control) stugg concept in which a panzer III chassis was adorned with a low profile fixed turret. It's purpose was to engage bunkers of the Maginot line and provide screening to advancing infantry; however it proved to be a remarkable all around vehicle, with it's reduced weight (due to the lack of rotating turret) not only providing for lower cost, but also allowing for more frontal armor to be installed, making it a more formidable vehicle. As well, the turret/casemate layout was laid out well with the future in mind and would be able to support the new high velocity anti tank cannons just starting to enter service with the heer.

images

The Stugg was a brain child of Africa Corps commander Erich Von Manstein; it proved to be one of the most versitile, combat and cost effective weapons employed by Germany throughout the second world war

With his mental wheels already pregreased to think along these lines; Manstein had conducted a flurry of calls and meetings following his initial inspection tour in Africa; especially critical were consultations with Ritter Von Thoma whom had served with the Italians in Spain and was familiar with their weapons systems and capabilities.

CondorLegion2.jpg

Germany's experience with Italy in Spain provided Manstein with some outlets to try and address their underperformance issues

Bastico: We are most pleased by Germany's commitment to the theater. Your 4 divisions are the key to a successful drive to Cairo

Goring: The fuhrer's interest in your theater is only on behalf of Senior Mussolini who he considers a dear friend. Know this, we expect this campaign to be finished by the end of June at the latest Marshal.

Bastico: All assets available will be committed that aren't fighting in Greece.

Goring: We have a score to settle there too but that will be handled on our next conference. I have brought GeneralMajor Raus here to assist your staff for the next few months and to coordinate the familiarization exercises between 6th panzer and all new formations going to Africa. Your naval attache made it clear that he won't be able to ship all of our forces to Libya for several months. I have instructed him and his troops who will entrain for Naples to work with your forces. The fuhrer demands that all new troops being sent to the Libyan front train for at least 10 days with the men of 6th Panzer while they are available to pass on their expertise.

Bastico: We will gladly except Germany's generosity in such a manner.

Badaglio: The most important matter is assuring safe transit of your armored corps to the front. The British aircraft and submarines have proved quite pesky.

Goring: We will make arrangements to assist the Africa Corps in arriving safely. Please lets take a walk to your airfield I wish to show you gentlemen two weapons that will turn the tide.

The men along with interpreters and staff walked over to the small airstrip next to the headquarters to see Goring's gift.

Goring: Gentlemen allow me to present the fuhrer's great gift to cover the African convoys. This is our BF-110 heavy fighter series E. It has a solid nose with 4 MG-17 machine guns, 2 20mm cannons and under wing racks holding (4) 50kg bombs. Grossadmiral Raeder assures me that despite the small size of these bombs, the fragile nature of a submarine makes them extremely deadly if dropped on them. The armament is also sufficient to strafe British ships and keep their bombers away from our convoys. The Africa corps will be given 48 of these new machines. Half of them will be dedicated for convoy protection flying out of Sicily and Tripoli respectively. We will make the necessary arrangements that every convoy going to Africa will have at least 1 schwarm of these heavy fighters overhead at all times. They will have increased air cover over the trouble areas near the ports and near Malta.

The Italian hosts were impressed by the Luftwaffe commitment. The walked around the aircraft like they were inspecting a new car.
Goring continued:

Goring: The fuhrer in his commitment to victory in Egypt on Senior Mussolini's behalf has allocated our entire Luftflotte 2 to support our operations for the next four months. This will be over 500 aircraft at our disposal along with their associated ground crews. Generaloberst Richtoffen will command this group here from Rome. They will be dispersed between attacks on British naval units, convoy cover, direct support of the Libyan armies, and suppression of British rear areas.
General of Panzer troops Von Manstein will show you our other weapons system.

Manstein: I would like to show you gentlemen our adaptation of your L-3 tank. We had several in storage that had been lent to us during the conflict in Spain and have made an adaption that should prove excellent in Africa. May I present the L-3 75 Fledermaus is the nickname one of the technicians at the Krupp factory I visited named her. The superstructure as you can see has been modified and a captured French 75mm gun has been inlaid behind the armored screen. This gun has an extremely high muzzle velocity and flat trajectory so it is very accurate as an anti tank gun. I have brought with me 6 of our finest engineers and a trainload of captured guns and ammunition to begin the conversion. The fuhrer has agreed not to bother with any licenses for this weapons system since it is based off your tank. I would like to give a small demonstration

The tank crawled along into a nearby field were Manstein had set up a dummy tank as a target.

Manstein: You may fire when ready Oberfedwebel.

The cannon let off a high crack and the round left an easy to follow smoke trail as it hit the dummy tank and blew the hell out of it.

Manstein: It will have a similar effect on the British tanks that have been giving you so much trouble.

Badaglio: This is a most impressive system.

Manstein: (proceeded to go over the necessary shop conversion times/costs and logistics) The equipment we are shipping should be enough to eventually convert 150 of your tanks, and more can be made available once the conversion factory fulfills the first order. As these machines are built, they should be sent platoon by platoon to Naples to get training with Generalmajor Raus; once the situation stabilizes it would be ideal if he could conduct battalion or even regimental level exercises with your new crews in these machines. Captain Brinkmann and GeneralOberst Richtoffen shall conduct briefings with your branch service chiefs later as outlined; any questions?


The generals all shook their heads no

Goring: Good work head off to Naples and get things in order Manstein. You have much to do if the fuhrer's vision of victory in 4 months is to be achieved

to be continued....

thoughts?

9k=

The Italian L-3 75 serving in Africa; it would go on to have a respectable service record there
 

BlairWitch749

Banned
arneanka74 said:
At what rate will they be able to deply the L-3 75? Will this affect the way other armoured vehicles are deployed?
Click to expand...

The Germans will construct 12 of them in mild steel to be used for training purposes and give them to the Italians.

Eventually production will be two fold:

Vehicles converted and shipped in from Italy (eventually getting to 20-30 a month)

L-3's (already in country) converted in the main armor workshop in Tripoli (eventually getting to 6-8 a month)

this and the M-11 will be the backbone of Italian afv forces until (as in the original story) they adopt the Panzer IV
 

BlairWitch749

Banned
Your reputation proceeds you (Amended new prologue) It is humiliating to remain with our hands folded while others write history. It matters little who wins. To make a people great it is necessary to send them to battle even if you have to kick them in the pants. That is what I shall do. - Benito Mussolini

Naples Italy January 1941, Just before Manstein departs for Tripoli

Manstein: I have not given you an easy task Erhard these macaronis are almost useless. I watched one of their companies train yesterday and nearly had to vomit from the lack of coordination and arrogance of their officers.

Raus: I will whip them into shape herr General Der PanzerTruppen. 6th Panzer is a great unit. They have high morale and a lot of combat experience, there could be no better unit for them to learn something about war from. And your insistance in rotating in additional Italian speaking officers will pay dividends over time and build comradery and trust between the formations

Raus and Manstein watched an infantry regiment of the 6th Panzer working with several companies of Italian infantry who would soon be headed to Libya as replacements. Interpreters had been liberally sprinkled... but the fact that Raus spoke passable Italian made things immensely easier to work out with Commando Supremo.

Z

(Erhard Raus who would play professor to the Italian replacement stream going to Africa, as a native Austrian, his understated but competent style of command resonated well with the Royal Italian army; far more so than the domineering and abusive types to be found from Prussia)


They observed one exercise close up. An eager young Italian captain was leading his infantry company to "take" a trench line position from a 6th panzer platoon. They fell in to a cleverly prepared ambush and were captured by the enterprising troops of 6th panzer division. The Italian captain was embarrassed that his command went so poorly after his instruction from the German Hauptman. The German Hauptman was an ethnic Austrian and spoke the language well. He sat the company commander down and proceeded to explain what had went wrong and give him the sequence that the Panzer Army Africa would employ when Manstein came in country

On offensive: Attack with sun at your back, attack with proper artillery support, and recon the enemy effectively
On defensive: Ground in africa is not valuable, lives and machines are, no hopeless last stands, and bait the enemy with light tanks to impale himself on anti tank guns

images

(Italian officers work with German instructors outside of Naples)


Raus while not impressed by the Italian maneuvering saw this situation develop and walked away from Manstein towards the action. Raus, slapped the Italian captain on the back "Don't worry the British will not be so clever and ruthless as these fellows" The Italian captain still looked sheepish and embarrassed

"Listen Captain, we are your guests in this theater, and I have direct orders from the fuhrer, as do my men from me that you are to be treated as equals; run the exercise again and this time I will accompany you to make sure everything goes properly"

The exercise was rerun, and Raus adopted a textbook find, fix, and flank technique on the 6th panzer platoon, leading one of the Italian platoons around to their rear and surrounding them; and this time, he had to admit, the maccaroni's did it right. Although he gave them their instructions in the starting gate, they followed through well, he had to admit, his boys were whipping them into shape at a good clip; tomorrow they wouldn't even need his help at the jump off line


images

Axis troops train together



Raus walked back to Manstein following the successful exercise

Manstein: I don't know what you said to them, but their discipline was much better the second time

Raus :My being there and showing him respect was a simple act will spread around the division and they will improve in the manner I see fit. There is good raw material here, I see it, they just need a proper hand up; once they build some confidence and see success it will make up for their shortcomings

Your reputation proceeds you Erhard I have no doubts you will accomplish all the tasks I have given you.

Over the next several weeks and months 6th panzer did perform miracles. Italians graduating from their school of hard knocks got a good taste of small unit warfare and tactics, armored cooperation and anti tank combat. It was a harsh 10 day course and Raus was hard on all the men but when troops from this program would see British tanks or motorized infantry they wouldn't just run or surrender anymore.

Manstein could count on at least the new Italian troops coming into the theater having good teachers. In fact the British were no where near as challenge as the grizzled veterans of the 6th division were in small unit battles. Manstein could now trust at least a portion of his plentiful Italian infantry with important tasks like breaking through static defensive positions or withstanding attacks by motorized troops.

Raus did well in his supervisory role and whipped 6th Panzer into top form. He was itching to get into the fight and sad for all the glory that his troops were missing by not being in the first shipment of German forces to Africa. Manstein was pleased with his work and never even called him once he got to Tripoli.

"If you have a good subordinate, you should give him as much work as he can handle and then leave him alone" - Erich Von Manstein

to be continued...

Thoughts?

Z

6th panzer on the march; a thoroughly professional formation which proved a good choice to help the Italian Army adapt to modern warfare
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top
Top