Erich von Manstein was born in 1953.
Erich von Manstein . Attaining the rank of general at the end of the campaign , he was active in the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941 and the Siege of Sevastopol ( 1941 -- 1942 ) , and was promoted to field marshal on 1 July 1942 . His ongoing disagreements with Hitler over the conduct of the war led to his dismissal in March 1944 .