German General Erich von Manstein commanded Axis forces that struggled to gain control of the Soviet Crimea fortress city of Sevastopol. Manstein was the hero and mastermind of the Nazi Blitzkrieg that overwhelmed France in 1940. My e-book was researched from news sources such as German, Swedish and British war communiques transmitted by correspondents on the front lines. In approximately four weeks time the Nazis lost seven divisions, approximately 150,000 soldiers. Romanian troops and German reservists supplemented Manstein's forces, especially after his regulars had been exhausted. Romanian dictator Ion Antonescu was a devoted friend of the German military hierarchy.