Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein

 

 

Generalfeldmarshcall von Manstein

Considered probably the best and most competent military strategist of the German Generals, Manstein’s military brilliance can be traced back to his WWI roots, where he served as staff officer for three years after being wounded at the front.

 

Manstein was intimately involved with the planning of every major operation from the invasion of Poland, to the French, and Russian and campaigns.  He originated the plan to invade France through the Ardennes, which as a junior officer earned him quick promotion and the attention of Hitler.  Mansteins preferred status with Hitler dissolved as his disagreements with the fuhrer over military operations eventually earned him a retirement in the fall of 1944.

 

The Manstein uniform highlighted on this page was sold to a collector in the United States by Manstein himself, in the early 1970’s.  It is a rare example of militaria obtained directly from the previous owner.

 

 

 

 

Generalfeldmarschall Manstein Uniform

(private collection)

 

 

Manstein’s four pocket, Generalfeldmarschall tunic and visor cap. 

 

 

 

Visor Cap

 

A beautiful, high quality visor cap with a crusher leather visor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tunic Shoulderboards

 

Left shoulder Generalfeldmarschall shoulderboard of all gold cord over a red underlay, with 2nd pattern, army style, dark silver crossed batons.

 

 

Right side shoulderboard.  Note that this is not a matching set of shoulderboards, both boards are for the right shoulder.  This is not at all uncommon to see, though many textbook collectors would believe that you would never see this on a General officer.

 

 

 

Detail of silver batons

 

 

 

 

Collar Tabs

 

Left side collar tab for a Generalfeldmarschall, with the most common encountered embroidered pattern (note; these images were taken by putting the tunic on a scanner bed).

 

 

Right side collar tab.

 

Breast Eagle

 

One of the somewhat common variants you will see on very high ranking General officer uniforms.

 

 

Arm Shield

 

 

The Krim Shield, from the Crimean campaign that Manstein directed, earning him the rank of Generalfeldmarschall.

 

 

 

 

 

Overcoat

 

Note that the shoulderboards on Manstein’s overcoat are also somewhat non-regulation, as they have Luftwaffe pattern baton devices.  This is also not uncommon, as there are documented GFM shoulderboards for both Army and Luftwaffe in which the batons of the other service were utilized, for whatever reason.

 

Detail of the Luftwaffe pattern, silver frosted batons utilized on Mansteins overcoat.