Manstein is a man of illusions. ... He believes Hitler will listen to facts.

The future battle on the ground will be preceded by battle in the air. This will determine which of the contestants has to suffer operational and tactical disadvantages and be forced throughout the battle into adoption compromise solutions.

Always in a moment of extreme danger things can be done which had previously been thought impossible.

It is often possible to decide the issue of a battle merely by making an unexpected shift of one's main weight.

The peril of the hour moved the British to tremendous exertions, just as always in a moment of extreme danger things can be done which had previously been thought impossible. Mortal danger is an effective antidote for fixed ideas.

Manstein is a man of illusions. ... He believes Hitler will listen to facts.

Winning the men's confidence requires much of a commander. He must exercise care and caution, look after his men, live under the same hardships, and-above all- apply self discipline. But once he has their confidence, his men will follow him through hell and high water.