Vatutin vs Manstein - who was the best general?

Nikolai Vatutin and Erich von Manstein faced off in several battles during the Second World War, and one of my Patreons has asked if Vatutin was the best Soviet tank general? In this video, we'll take a look at Vatutin's role on the Axis-Soviet Front and see if we can determine how good a general he was.

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ABOUT TIK 📝

History isn’t as boring as some people think, and my goal is to get people talking about it. I also want to dispel the myths and distortions that ruin our perception of the past by asking a simple question - “But is this really the case?”. I have a 2:1 Degree in History and a passion for early 20th Century conflicts (mainly WW2). I’m therefore approaching this like I would an academic essay. Lots of sources, quotes, references and so on. Only the truth will do.

This video is discussing events or concepts that are academic, educational and historical in nature. This video is for informational purposes and was created so we may better understand the past and learn from the mistakes others have made.

[tonilehtonen]

Well according to HOI4, Vatutin is skill level 3 with traits such as "reckless" and "infantry officer" vs Manstein's skill level 4 with "brilliant strategist", "armor officer", "trickster" and "engineer" traits, case closed.

[paulbabcock]

Idk about this Mr. TIK. I read in a book, "Lost Victories" that Manstien is the greatest general ever. Anx I can't imagine any reason for the author of that book to be biased. So it must be true.

[alexfilma]

Those who believe in the Manstein shall receive the blessings of the Manstein.

[whiskey_tango_foxtrot__]

A good General doesn't get assassinated...

+1 for Manstein

[mryhdy]

TIK, you forgot to mention Rokossovski's part in Bagration, and don't forget, he not only got the better of the Germans but stood his ground vs. Stalin in the planning phase. I suspect this was far more dangarous than the actual battle. And he was on a roll after that all the way to Berlin.

[zacharydoser]

Tik, I stumbled across your YouTube site about a month ago. I’ve found it to be a superior site in the history of the Eastern Front. You magnificently explain each key battle and the strengths of key leaders on the German and Russian sides. I became an instant subscriber.

[milosmevzelj]

Vatutin made mistake at third Harkov. He misinterpret Mansteins intentios beliving he is in retrit. Popov paid the price.
But he learned from this defeat and never again did same mistake.

His best action was moving Rybalkovs tank army from Bukrin bridgehead north to Lyutezh in the end of 1943. Becouse of that Kiev was lost for Manstein who didnt detected this move. And in proces all Dneper campaign was victorius for Vatutin and Red army.

This was a masterpice of planning, deception and logistics.

[tomaszmazurek]

As a Polish person I am a bit surprised UPA is such a completely unknown subject in the West. But I also must admit it was very smart of you to not touch that can of worms. (and, as you may guess, yes, there is also Polish perspective on the subject)

[satanicmuffin]

Your channel is exemplary of how studies of history should be conducted. Thank you for your work, Tik!

[alexalexin]

Some points on the north and the south of the Kursk salient. I drove through these parts in a car and I saw the landscape there with my own eyes. I must tell you that there are lots of ravines in the north with lots of streams, and some forests as well. The terrain is very difficult for tanks to operate. While in the south, the land is as flat as a pancake. Or as a table as the saying goes here in Russia.
I think the books on the battle of Kursk mention this fact.
So it's no wonder the Germans saw some advance in the south regardless of who was defending it.

On the UPA: the obvious lie is that Ukrainian historians claim the UPA "fought against two totalitarian regimes" while in fact they never attacked the Germans.

[andrewdelaix]

Ever considered some "But is this really the case?" merch? I think I could go for a shirt like that...

[nco_gets_it]

Vatutin was a good general for the USSR. Manstein was good for Germany. Neither can be understood outside the environment of their respective armies and nations. Neither would have been viable in the other army. Also, as the Red Army proved, a rock with lips could succeed for them, while the Germans proved that no one could succeed for them.

[Boric]

A lot of tank pictures this week - well done. You obviously needed that break to come round to my way of thinking. Forget the economics and show the tracks! In all seriousness you are looking well, putting 100% into it all the time is not a stratergy for longevity. A little planned laziness is often a good idea.

[daverose]

I once talked with a German tank gunner who had faced that Soviet tank charge at Provhorovka. He said that he didn't need to aim his gun, only fire it in the enemy's direction as soon as it was loaded, and had a hit every time.

[penguin]

Manstein clearly wins this one since he can single handedly fend off against the Red Army with nothing but his fists

[Luschenjaeger]

I mean come on, this isn't even a fair comparison.

Manstein clearly had magical training.

[vassilizaitzev]

Tik, good work on your video last week with the Battle of the Atlantic. Collingham was a good read when I went through her book last year. Had to put Gotz Aly’s book aside for now. It’s good, just very dense with economic terms. Cheers from the other side of the pond.

[mladenmatosevic]

Bottom line: Somebody wiped out most of the Poles from former Eastern Poland, and half of it is now Western Ukraine.If not UPA, then who, since that happened during German occupation? Remaining ones are relocated after the war to former Eastern German territories.

[MWL]

Hope you had a relaxing break from all your hard work and history chronicles. Glad to see you back in action though. A terrific WW2 history channel that i tell all my military enthusiast friends to check out. Cheers from Canada and welcome back.

[scottmiller]

As usual, you do a great job with these videos. In von Manstein's case you have done a great job (previously) of knocking him off his high horse of great generaldom. Nevertheless, your well done effort to "set the record straight" seems to have turned into a personal vendetta against Herr Erich. But thanks for annoying me (and others). We need to have our preconceived conclusions upset every now and again.