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

A risk is a chance you take; if it fails you can recover. A gamble is a chance taken; if it fails, recovery is impossible.

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.

To every man of us, Tobruk was a symbol of British resistance and we were now going to finish with it for good.

Don't fight a battle if you don't gain anything by winning.

The art of concentrating strength at one point, forcing a breakthrough, rolling up and securing the flanks on either side, and then penetrating like lightning deep into his rear, before the enemy has time to react.

It's better for one to die than for all of us to be killed in a shooting affray. Anyway, we've practically no ammunition.