Chapters 1 and 2; Before the Storm; The Strategic Position Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 1, in 1938, Manstein was a deputy to the German Chief-of-Staff, but after a scandal he was heading the 18 Division. Later in 1938, in the so-called floral war, Austria and the Sudetenland were occupied. Manstein and his fellow Generals hoped there will not be war, as a crisis over Poland began. Poland had been given German territories by the Allies after World War I, and Hitler demanded a return of Danzig and portions of the Polish Corridor to the sea. In August 1939, there were numerous military exercises that included Gen. Manstein. There was much surprise and confusion with the signing of a non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union. On August 24th, Colonel-General Rundstedt assumed command of the army group about to attack Poland. Despite a first...