Erich von Manstein and Hermann Breith

Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein (left, Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Süd) met with General der Panzertruppe Hermann Breith (Kommandierender General III. Panzerkorps) to discuss the upcoming military operation in northeastern Bjelgorod, May 1943, as a preparation of "Unternehmen Zitadelle" (Operation Citadel) a.k.a. the Battle of Kursk. The officer wearing the monocle at right is Oberst im Generalstab Ernst Merk (Chef des Generalstabes III. Panzerkorps). After the conclusion of the battle for the Donets, as the spring rasputitsa (mud) season came to an end in 1943, both the German and Soviet commands considered their plans for future operations. Manstein arguing for a mobile defence that would give up terrain and allow the Soviet units to advance, while the German forces launched a series of sharp counterattacks against their flanks to inflict heavy attrition. But for political reasons, Hitler insisted that the German forces go on the offensive, choosing the Kursk salient for the attack. On 15 April 1943 the Führer authorised preparations for Unternehmen Zitadelle.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2011/10/album-foto-terbaik-erich-von-manstein.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Citadel