Chapters 5 and 6; The Operation Plan Controversy; Commanding General 38 Army Corps Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 5, Manstein was the prime mover for a surprise attack on the West through the left flank in the Ardennes region. The initial O.K.H. plan was for the main attack to be on the right wing through the Netherlands and Belgium by Army Group B. Manstein feared that Army Group B would merely push the Allies back, and they would be able to later form a defensive line on the Somme River. Manstein wrote the Army Group A war plan, which envisaged 3 armies attacking through the thickly wooded Ardennes sector through southern Belgium and Luxemburg and then to Sedan in France. The commander of Army Group A, Von Runstedt totally backed the Manstein plan. Von Runstedt added that Army Group...