Erich von Manstein

Fritz Erich Georg Eduard von Lewinski, known as Erich von Manstein , was a German commander of the Wehrmacht, Germanys armed forces during the Second World War. He attained the rank of field marshal.

He was born Fritz Erich Georg Eduard von Lewinski in Berlin, the tenth son of a Prussian aristocrat and artillery general, Eduard von Lewinski , and Helene von Sperling . His fathers family had Kashubian ancestry and was entitled to use the Brochwicz coat of arms . Hedwig von Sperling , Helenes younger sister, was married to Lieutenant General Georg von Manstein the couple was unable to have children, so they adopted Erich. They had previously adopted Erichs cousin Martha, the daughter of Helenes and Hedwigs deceased brother.

Source: Wikipedia