Editing Erich von Manstein (section)

===The Offensive in the West===
{{Main|Battle of France}}
[[File:Evolution of Plan Yellow.PNG|thumb|The evolution of German plans for ''Fall Gelb'', the invasion of the Low Countries. The series begins at the upper left corner.]]
''Fall Gelb'' ("Case Yellow"), the initial plan for the invasion of France, was prepared by [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the Army [[Colonel General]] (''Generaloberst'') [[Walther von Brauchitsch]], Halder, and other members of the OKH in early October 1939.{{sfn|Lemay|2010|p=96}} Like the [[Schlieffen Plan]] of World War I, it called for an encirclement attack through the [[Netherlands]] and [[Belgium]].{{sfn|Melvin|2010|p=140}} Hitler was not satisfied, so revisions of the plan continued throughout October. Manstein was not satisfied with the plan either, as it focused heavily on the northern wing; he felt an attack from this direction would lack the element of surprise and would expose the German forces to counterattacks from the south. The terrain in Belgium was not well-suited as a base of operations for further attacks on France, so Manstein felt the operation would fail to wipe out the enemy{{snd}}as it did in the First World War{{snd}}leading to only partial success and trench warfare. By the end of October Manstein had prepared the outline of a different plan and submitted it to the OKH via his superior, Rundstedt, for whom he was now serving as chief of staff of [[Army Group A]].{{sfn|Lemay|2010|pp=98–102}}{{sfn|Forczyk|2010|pp=11–14}}

Manstein's plan, developed with the informal co-operation of [[Heinz Guderian]], suggested that the Panzer divisions attack through the wooded hills of the [[Ardennes]] where no one would expect them, then establish bridgeheads on the [[Meuse]] and rapidly drive to the [[English Channel]]. The ''Wehrmacht'' would thus cut off the French and [[Allies of World War II|Allied armies]] in Belgium and [[Flanders]]. This part of the plan later became known as the ''Sichelschnitt'' ("sickle cut"). Manstein's proposal also included a second thrust outflanking the [[Maginot Line]], which would allow the ''Wehrmacht'' to force any future defensive line much further south.{{sfn|Forczyk|2010|pp=11–14}}{{sfn|Melvin|2010|p=145}}

The OKH originally rejected the proposal; Halder in particular said the plan was entirely without merit. However, on 11 November, Hitler ordered the reallocation of the forces needed to make a surprise thrust in [[Sedan, Ardennes|Sedan]], thus pushing the plan in the direction that Manstein had suggested.{{sfn|Lemay|2010|pp=110–111}} When documents outlining details of ''Fall Gelb'' [[Mechelen Incident|fell into the hands of the Belgians]] on 10 January 1940, Hitler became even more receptive to change. But Manstein's superiors, Generals Halder and Brauchitsch, resented Manstein's repeated insistence that his plan be implemented in place of theirs. Halder had Manstein removed from Rundstedt's headquarters and sent to [[Stettin]] to command the [[XXXVIII Army Corps (Wehrmacht)|XXXVIII Army Corps]] on 27 January.{{sfn|Lemay|2010|pp=117–119}} Hitler, still looking for a more aggressive plan, approved a modified version of Manstein's ideas, today known as the [[Manstein Plan]], after meeting with him on 17 February.{{sfn|Melvin|2010|p=132}} Manstein and his corps played a minor role during the operations in France, serving under [[Günther von Kluge]]'s [[4th Army (Wehrmacht)|4th Army]]. His corps helped achieve the first breakthrough east of [[Amiens]] during ''[[Fall Rot]]'' ("Case Red"{{snd}}the second phase of the invasion plan), and was the first to reach and cross the [[River Seine]]. The invasion of France was an outstanding military success; Manstein was promoted to full [[General (Germany)|general]] and awarded the [[Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross]].{{sfn|Forczyk|2010|pp=11–14}}{{sfn|Melvin|2010|pp=178–179}}