ADOLF HITLER
A historic appointment in which Hitler appoints Erich von Manstein, one of his ablest and most experienced officers, to the position of Field Marshall. This fine document, 1p., 8 1/4" x 11 3/4", was issued at "Fuhrer Headquarters" on July 5, 1942 and reads, in part: "...In the Name of the German People! Effective 1 July 1942 General Colonel von Lewinski a.k.a. von Manstein, Commanding Officer of the 11th Army is promoted to General Field Marshall...". Boldly signed by Hitler in dark blue ink, also signed by Hitler's Army Chief of Staff WILHELM KEITEL (1882-1946). With blind-embossed eagle and swastika seal, fine condition. With Rommel, von Manstein was the most competent military officer in the German army. He was the initiator and one of the planners of the Ardennes-offensive alternative in the invasion of France in 1940. He received acclaim from the Nazi-German leadership for the victorious battles of Perekop Isthmus, Kerch, Sevastopol and Kharkov, and commanded the failed relief effort at Stalingrad and the Cherkassy pocket evacuation. Despite his brilliant combat tactics, von Manstein was dismissed from service by Adolf Hitler in March 1944, due to his frequent clashes with his commander-in-chief over military strategy .