If Paulus's army had capitulated before the end, the Russians would have had the advantage of withdrawing forces against Paulus and against the southern front, where I had only two Romanian armies. Therefore, the resistance of the Sixth German Army, even to the death of the last man, was necessary.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Manstein argues that the Sixth Army's resistance until the last man was necessary to prevent the Russians from freeing up forces against the southern front.
- In plain terms
- Fighting to the death was needed to keep enemy troops busy and protect other fronts.
- What can you take from it?
- Military sacrifice in one area can preserve strength in another.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is sacrificing one army for another strategic?
- What defines a necessary sacrifice in war?
Another view
This justification accepts the loss of an army as a tactical price for broader goals.
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