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Erwin Rommel's father was a school principal. Erwin was interested in Zephlins. He insisted that Erwin attend a cadet school to prepare for the military. Rommel hada love affair as a young officer and a dughter was born. Rommel refused to marry her because of the impact on his career. During World War I there were many promotions and decorations. He preformed galantly in Italy and was awatded the "Pour de merit", the Blue Max, the highest Germany military decoration. After the War, Rommel stayed in the Army which ws severly limited by the Versailles Treaty. Military officers were not allowed to paticipate in politics, but were generally very conservative. After Hitler seized power, enormous resources were directed to the military. Many like Rommel felt that it now meant something to be a German officer. Hitler courted the Wehrmacht. After the SA was suppressed bu the SS in the Night of the Long Knves, German soldiers, includng Rommel, were required to tke a personal oath to support Hitler (1934). Rommel was impressed by the apparent NAZI success in revitalizing Germany in the 1930s. Rommel like many Germans looked on the anti-semnetic campaign as a negative thing, but thougt it was outweighed by the positive accomplishments of the regime. Officers like Rommel were enthused with the resources and new weapons. Rommel became a lecturer in tactical warfare. He wrote a best-selling book. He was appointed commander of the military academy. Rommel was made commander of Hitler's military headquarters (1939). He clearly had no insight into Hitler's thinking at this time. He told his wife, "As long as my generation who experienced the World War, you can be sure there will mot be another war." Rommel was responsibe for Hitler's security during the invasion of Poland. He was impressed with Hitler and described his "clarity in his treatment of problems". He seems to have revered Hitler and Hitler for his part admired Rommel. Although an infantry officer, Rommel was given a tank division in the Western offensive (1940). His became known as the Ghost Division because it moved so rapidly west. After the fall of France, Italy launched an attack on Egypt from their Libyan colony (September 1940). The Italians force which had no heavy tanks bogged down 60 miles into Egypt. The British launched a counter-offensive (December 1940) and in 8 weeks had decimated the Italians. Hitler chooses Rommel to lead a small force to assist the Italians. He described Rommel as the most daring tank general in the Wehrmacht. Rommel drspacted from occupied France. Hitler's focus was on the coming Russian canpaign. Rommel's orders were only to stop the British. Rommel's competance and NAZI propaganda made him a legend. The Desert War sea-sawed back and forth until Rommel was finally stopped at El Alemain (July 1942). Now it became a matter of logisics. North Africa had always been a secondary theater, but much of the tanks, fuel, and supplies were sunk by the British. British code breakers by 1942 were receiving details on the German-Italian convoys wgich were devestated by British submaries and air patrols. Vast quantiies of supplies from america, however, were reaching the 8th Army. Montgomery's offensive at El Alemain was protracted, but the German and Italian forces were gradually worn down (October 1942). Hitler refused to allow Rommel to withdraw. Rommel hesitated, but unlike Field Marshall Paulis at Stalingrad, Rommel ignored the orders and did withdraw, saving the Africa Corps. The German position in Africa became untenable when the Americans and British as part of Operation Torch landed in Morocco and Algeria (November 1942).
Erwin Rommel's father was a school principal.
Erwin was born in Heidenheim, Germany, November, 15, 1891. As a boy he was very interested in the Zephlins he saw from a neraby facility.
The young Erwin wanted to study Zephlin engineering. His father disapproved, I'm not sure why. This would have required university studies. As a result, Erwin attend a cadet school to prepare for a military career.
Rommel hada love affair as a young officer and a dughter was born. Rommel refused to marry her because of the impact on his career.
During World War I there were many promotions and decorations. He was a lieutenant at the time the War began. He proved to be an aggressive officer. He first fought on the Western Front. There he ws awarded the Iron Cross (January 1915). Italy entered the War on the side of the Allies (October 1915). German troops were sent south to bolster the Austro-Hungarian Army. Rommel was sent to Italy and destinguished himself in an attack on Monte Matajur (1917). He was promoted to captain. As a result of his galant performance
at Monte Matajur, he was awarded the "Pour de merit", the Blue Max, the highest Germany military decoration. After the Monte Matajur action, Rommel led a small group of men crossed the Piave River and captured a large Italian garrison at Lognaroni.
After the War, Rommel stayed in the Army which ws severly limited by the Versailles Treaty. Military officers were not allowed to paticipate in politics, but were generally very conservative, including much pro-monarchist sentiment. Rommel was appointed an instructor at the Dresden Infantry School (1929). He was reportedly a popular instructor.
After Hitler seized power, enormous resources begn to be directed to the military. Many like Rommel felt that it now meant something to be a German officer. Hitler at first courted the Wehrmacht. After the SA was suppressed by the SS in the Night of the Long Knves, German soldiers, includng Rommel, were required to take a personal oath of loyalty to Hitler (1934). Rommel was impressed by the apparent NAZI success in revitalizing Germany in the 1930s. Officers like Rommel were enthused with the resources and new weapons.
With the new resources and expansion of the military, promotions came. Rommel was promoted to lieutenant colonel and appointed to the taff of the Potsdam War Academy (October 1935).
He wrote a best selling book about his World War I experience in Italy which addressed modern tactics (1937). Hitler noticed the book and read it. He was impressed. Hitler from the beginning had been a champion of panzer forces. Hitler had Rommel command his HQ staff in Austria and Czechoslovakia. He then saw to it that Rommel had the same assignment as the Wehrmacht prepared to invade Poland.
Rommel was made commander of Hitler's military headquarters (1939). He clearly had no insight into Hitler's thinking at this time. He told his wife, "As long as my generation who experienced the World War, you can be sure there will not be another war." [M. Rommel] Rommel was responsibe for Hitler's security during the invasion of Poland. He was present at the higes level meetings with Hitler. Success in Poland seems to have caused him to reassess his fear of another war. He was impressed with Hitler at this time and described his "clarity in his treatment of problems".
The long-awaited German Western Offensive began May 10, 1940. Although an infantry officer, Rommel was given the 7th Panzer Division in the Western offensive (1940). This was a political appointment because of his personal relationship with Hitler. His division became known as the Ghost Division because it moved so rapidly west. Rommel's Panzers are said to have moved faster and farther than any other division in military history. I'm not sure this is true, but his performance was spectacular. Rommel was the first divisuon commander to reach the Channel, cutting of the British and French 1st army.
After Dunkirk, Rommel turned his Division south, finally arriving at the Spanish border. JHitler had Rommel appointed to general.
After it was clear France had been defeated, Mussolini declared war on France and Italy (June 1940). His generals knew the Italian military despite Il Suce's blusters, was not prepared for war. Mussolini was, however, afraid of missing out on the spoils of war. France was defeated, Britain was not. Expanding his Mediterranean empire was Mussolini's primary war aim. Italy launched an attack on Egypt from their Libyan colony (September 1940). The Italians force which had no heavy tanks bogged down 60 miles into Egypt. The British launched a counter-offensive with a much smaller but more mobile force (December 1940). The British in the next 8 weeks of fighting decimated the Italian Army in North Africa. Mussolini reluctantly asked Hitler for assistance.
Hitler personally chose Rommel to lead a small force to assist the Italians in the Western Desert. He described Rommel as the most daring tank general in the Wehrmacht. Rommel was dispacted from occupied France. Rommel's competance and NAZI propaganda made him a legend. Hitler's focus was on the coming Russian canpaign. Rommel's orders were only to stopthe British. German tanks were delivered to Libya (March 12, 1941). Rommel used ruses to give the impression that he had a larger force that he actually had. He immeiately strikes west at the British. The British 8th Army, however, had been weakened by Churchill's decession to assist the Greeks.
On several occassions he was ordered to commit war crimes, such as executing captured Free French prisoners. (Because of the peace treaty with Vichy France, Free French prisoners were considered guerillas.) Rommel's offensive was impeded by the resistance of the Australians in Tobruk. A new British offensive pushed the Rommel back to Libya. With supplies that got through the British blockade, Rommel launches a new offensive which this time takes Tobruk. Churchill was in Washington at the time and was devestated. Roosevelt asked what he could do. Churchill asked for tanks. Roosevelt rushed 300 Sherman tanks to the 8th Army at the time when American divisions were mnot yet fully supplied. Rommel pushed east, but was stopped at El Alemain (July 1942). Now it became a matter of logisics. North Africa had always been a secondary theater, but much of the tanks, fuel, and supplies were sunk by thge British. British code breakers by 1942 were receiving details on the German-Italian convoys wgich were devestated by British submaries and air patrols. Vast quantiies of supplies from America, however, were reaching the 8th Army. Montgomery had 1,000 tanks and 1,500 planes. The Africa Corps had only a small fracion of these resources. Montgomery's offensive at El Alemain was protracted, but the German and Italian forces were gradually worn down (October 1942). Hitler refused to allow Rommel to withdraw. Rommel hesitated, but unlike Field Marshall Paulis at Stalingrad, Rommel ignored Hitler's orders and did withdraw, saving the Africa Corps from certain destruction. The German position in Africa became untenable when the Americans and British as part of Operation Torch landed in Morocco and Algeria (November 1942). Hitler's initial reaction was to shoot Rommel and the other officers involved in the retreat from El Alemain. He then reconsidered this reaction. Rommel's retreat, hoever, allowed the Germans to hang on in Nort Africa until May. This was, however, a phtric victory. In an effort to prevent defeat, Hitler committed German reserves in ahopeless effort. In the end, the defeat in North Africa proved extremely costly. In addition, not only were the German reserves used but large numbers of air transports were lost in an effort to support the Afrika Korps in Tunisia. All this was done at a time when the outcome of the War was in effect being determined on the Eastern Front. Perhaps the most significant impact of the Desert War is that it enabled first the British and than the Americans to learn the essential tactics of modern mechanized war.
Rommel is often described as Hitler's favorite general. He is also the most widely publicized German general of the War. Virtualy anyonw with even a minimal understanding of the war can name Rommel. Often he is the only German general that they can name. This is because he was accorded emense publicity by the Germans and the British as well. His exploits were also widely reported in the American press. The reason for this is that he had a largely independent command. The other German generals were involved in larger operations involving whole armies and many generals and field marshals. Rommel's exploits were also widely covered because he was fighting the British and the British press had access to day to day operations. And Rommel insisted on fighting a war in accord with the Geneva Conventions. As a result, he go a lot of favorable publicity, even in the British press. Rommel's Afrika Korps provided some of the very limited good news in the wake of the unfolding disaster on the astern Front. Goebells first entry in his diaries reads, "Rommel's boldly conceived attack in North Africa is extremely gratifying. The English are again trying to alibi with weather difficulties. In the course of the day, however, they must nevertheless admit being pushed back quite a distance . Rommel is praised highly by the English press. He is altogether one of our most popular generals. We could use a few more such big shots." [January 23, 1942--Goebbels, p. 38.] Goebbels was fascinated by the favorable press that Rommel got in England. Favorable press treatment of allied commanders was certainly something he did not allow in the German press. The next day Goebbels added "The propaganda that the English are acrrying on for Rommelis exceedingly nearsighted from their viewpoint. They are making hom one of the most popular generals in the entire world.Thats perfectly okay for us, for in the first place Rommel deserves it, and second he is such an exemplarycharacter and outstanding soldier that propaganda on his behalf can do no harm. For once propaganda is being done for the right reason." [January 24, 1942--Goebbels, p. 41.]
Rommel was recalled from Tunisia (early 1943). NAZI prppaganda had built up his reputation and neither Goebbels or Hitler wanted him involved in a surrender. Because he disobeyed Hitler's orders at El Alemain, he was not at first given another command.
Rommel like many Germans looked on the NAZI anti-semetic campaign as a negative aspect of the NAZI regime, but thougt it was outweighed by the apparent positive accomplishments of the regime. It is an open question as to what Rommel knew about the attrocities in the East and the Hollocaust. We know that many soldiers in the Africa Korps dismissed these reports when shown films in prison camps. An officer of Rommel's stature would have had access to much more information. SS officers were arrested by the Wehrmacht in Poland during 1939 for attrocities, but given clmencey by Hitler. Rommel must have known about this. Rommel left for North Africa (March 1941) before the invasion of the Soviet Union. A staff officer introduced to Speer to help obtain a Berlin apartment reported to Rommel in 1942 that German Jews were being deported. Rommel doubted that Speer knew. I do not knew when Rommel learned of the Einsatzgrupen in the Soviet Union. We known that Rommel was informed by Karl Stölinz, a NAZI official who had turned on Hitler, that Jews were being gassed (February 1944). We do not know if he knew earlier.
Hitler was unsure what to do with Rommel after the collapse of Axis resistance in Tunisia (May 1943). As Goebbels had built him up as a brilliant military genius, the German public was interested in his next assignment.
He was for some time out of favor with Hitler and essentially unemployed. Allied efforts to confuse the Germans about the invasion of Sicily were highly successful. Rommel was given command of Army Group E in Greece to defend against an invasion there. After the invasion of Sicily (July 1943), it was clear the Allied target was Italy and also apparent that the German Axis partner was preparing to leave the War. Rommel returned to Germany (July 23) after the Fascist Grand Council removed Mussolini and arrested him. Rommel moved to northern Italy, He set up his headquarters at Lake Garda. He was made commander of a new Army Group B, created to defend northern Italy. Here he played a role in the German move into Italy. Hitler decided to give the Italin command to Field Marshal Kesselring (November 21). Rommel and Lesselring never got along. Rommel as commander of Army Group B was moved to France to prepare for the long-awaited Allied cross-Channel invasion.
Hitler assigned him to oversee the strengthening of the Atlantic Wall. It was clear that the Allies were planning a cross-Channel invasion and that it would be the decissive battle of the War. If the Allies could be defeated in the West in 1944, another invasion would not be possible until 1945--if ever. The full force of the Wehrmacht could then be directed at the Red Army. Rommel worked feverisly to strnthen the almost not exisent defenses. Rommel became convinced that given the Allied material supperority that the Allies would have to be stopped oin the beach. He reasoned that once the Allies established a beachhead, they could not be defeated. Given his experience in North Africa, he understood better than other German commanders like Von Ruhenstadt that the powerful Panzers divisions would be less effective than expected given Allied air superiority. Preparations were hampered by the fact that the Germans did not know where along the coast the allies would strike. The Allies went to extensive efforts to convince the Germans that the invasion would come at the Pas de Calais. General George Patton was even set up in Kent with the non-existant First Army Group.
The Allies struck at Normandy (June 6, 1944). Rommel was on leave anbd rushed to the front. He wanted to attack with all available Panzer divisions, but Hitler held several available divisions back, convinced that Normandy was a faint. Allied operations had convinced Hitler that the real invasion would come at the Pas de Calais. As Rommel feared, German indecession allowed the Allies a firm beachhead with losses far below those expected. In the following weeks the German forces fought desperately, but were gradually being worn down by the massive Allied supperority in men and material. Rommel at this time confronts Hitler with the military realities. A British Spitfire attacks Rimmel's staff car and he was sevely wounded (August 1944).
Anti-NAZI Germans attempted to kill Hitler at the Wolf's Lair in Poland. Rommel was not involved. Rommel had, however, been approached by the conspirators and had not reported the meetings to the Gestapo. This was treason. Rommel had made it clear that he would not participate in the killing of Hitler. He appears ti have been willing after Hitler waseliminated to support the establishment of a new Government that ould seak peace ith the Allies. After Rommel recovered from his injuries, he was given the choice of suicide or a show trial. what would happen to his family was a major factor in Rimmel's choice of suiside.
Goebbels, Joseph. ed, Louis B. Lochner, The Goebbels Diaries, 1942-1943 (Doubleday: New York, 1948), p. 566.
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