Erwin Rommel
Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel was born on the 15th of November 1891 in Heidenheim, from Ulm, within the Kingdom of Württemberg. His father served as an artillery lieutenant before becoming a local government official. The young Rommel joined the Württemberg Infantry Regiment No. 124 in Weingarten at age 18 in 1910. He studied at the Officer Cadet School in Danzig and graduated in November 1911 to become a lieutenant. War broke out in August 1914 when he led a platoon near Verdun. On the 22nd of August 1914, Rommel and three men opened fire on a French garrison without ordering his full unit forward. This bold action earned him the Iron Cross, Second Class by September 1914. He later fought in Romania and Italy during World War I. In October 1917, his battalion captured 81 guns and 9,000 Italian soldiers with only six dead and 30 wounded. These actions at Matajur and Longarone earned him the Pour le Mérite, Germany's highest military honor. After the war, he remained with the 124th Regiment until October 1920. During civil unrest in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance, he restored order through sheer force of personality rather than violence. He negotiated with city councils instead of storming cities like Lindau. His defense of Schwäbisch Gmünd was also bloodless. Historians noted this period gave him an impression that everyone in the Republic was fighting each other.
The invasion of France began on the 10th of May 1940 under Rommel's command of the 7th Panzer Division. By the third day, his advance elements reached the Meuse River where bridges had been destroyed. Rommel directed efforts to make a crossing despite suppressive fire from French forces. He brought up tanks and flak units to provide counter-fire while nearby houses were set on fire to create a smokescreen. Infantry crossed in rubber boats as he grabbed a light machine gun to fight off a French counterattack. On the 16th of May, Rommel reached Avesnes and pressed on to Cateau against orders. That night, the French II Army Corps shattered. On the 17th of May, his forces took 10,000 prisoners while losing only 36 men. The division earned the nickname Gespensterdivision or Ghost Division due to its speed and surprise. On the 20th of May, Rommel reached Arras where British forces launched a counterattack that failed. The division continued advancing to Lille by the 27th of May. The Siege of Lille ended on the 31st of May when 40,000 French troops surrendered. Rommel drove for the River Seine to secure bridges near Rouen. His artillery bombarded the city as a fire demonstration, creating smoke intense enough to reach Paris. After Rouen fell, 100 black civilians and colonial troops were executed on the 9th of June by unknown German units. On the 10th of June, Rommel sent a message to Hoth stating he was on the coast. By the 17th of June, the 7th Panzer Division advanced 24 hours to Cherbourg where the French garrison surrendered after two days of shelling.
Rommel arrived in Tripoli on the 12th of February 1941 to command the new Afrika Korps. He rejected instructions from the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht to hold a defensive line near Sirte. On the 24th of March 1941, he launched an offensive with only part of his forces available. Axis forces reoccupied most of Cyrenaica by the 8th of April while Tobruk held out. Throughout the campaign, fuel, food, and water remained chronic problems since everything had to be brought from Europe. In November 1941, Operation Crusader began when Auchinleck launched an attack to relieve the garrison. Rommel's armored forces suffered heavy casualties despite losing large numbers of British tanks. On the 24th of November, he attempted a wide counterstroke towards Egypt known as the dash to the wire. This overextended his forces and forced him to withdraw back to Gazala. Receiving new tanks and supplies in January 1942, Rommel launched a counteroffensive from El Agheila on the 21st of January. The main armored force swung south then north behind the British left flank during the Battle of Gazala. After stubborn defense by Free French at Bir Hakeim until the 10th of June, the British line collapsed into what was dubbed the Gazala Gallop. On the 20th of June, Rommel assaulted Tobruk where the garrison surrendered the next day. Around 32,000 Commonwealth troops were captured along with substantial supplies. Hitler promoted Rommel to Generalfeldmarschall on the 22nd of June. He attacked Mersa Matruh on the 28th of June before the First Battle of El Alamein began on the 1st of July 1942. By early July, Rommel recorded in his diary that his strength had faded away due to sandstorms and artillery fire. The Second Battle of El Alamein opened on the 23rd of October when Montgomery aimed to cut corridors through northern minefields. On the 4th of November, Rommel ordered a retreat after Hitler's stand fast order proved impossible to maintain.
Rommel was appointed General Inspector of Western Defenses in November 1943 to inspect the Atlantic Wall. Commander-in-Chief West Gerd von Rundstedt favored holding armored reserves inland near Paris for counter-attacks. Rommel argued German armor would be destroyed before assembly if not defeated on or very close to beaches. Upon arriving in northern France, he found defenses in poor state initially only having an inspection role. By January 1944, he gained command of Army Group B controlling the 7th and 15th Armies. His staff developed extensive obstacles including millions of mines and anti-landing stakes later dubbed Rommel's asparagus. Shortages of materials meant many positions were unfinished by June 1944. Most senior commanders believed invasion would occur at Pas-de-Calais despite Rommel's warnings. Bad weather in the Channel led German meteorologists to rule out imminent invasion on the 5th of June. When Allied landings began on the 6th of June, Hitler refused to release armored reserve initially. Only limited panzer movements were authorized while heavy Allied air attacks disrupted counter-attacks planned for the 7th of June. By nightfall on D-Day, Allies had secured five beachheads with about 155,000 troops landed. On the 17th of July 1944, Rommel's staff car was strafed by Allied fighters near Sainte-Foy-de-Montgommery. The driver lost control and crashed causing Rommer to suffer three skull fractures that forced his removal from command.
One important piece of evidence regarding Rommel's resistance involvement is a conversation recorded by British intelligence where Heinrich Eberbach recalled Rommel stating Hitler and associates must be killed. Papers discovered in 2018 include Rudolf Hartmann's account of a meeting between Rommel and Stülpnagel in May 1944. Photographs show a gathering of resistance inner circle with Rommel at Mareil-Marly on the 15th of May 1944. Hans Speidel arrived in Normandy on the 15th of April 1944 as new chief of staff to reintroduce Rommel to conspirators. Late in May, Speidel met former foreign minister Konstantin von Neurath who advocated opening surrender negotiations. At least initially Rommel opposed assassinating Hitler fearing civil war and instead favored arrest and trial. He did not attempt to seize Hitler when visiting Margival on the 17th of June despite plans suggesting it would have been highly unlikely to succeed. On the 15th of July, Rommel wrote to Hitler giving him what he described as last chance to end hostilities. The letter reached Hitler only after delay partly due to Ob. West commander Günther von Kluge's attempts to shield himself. After the failure of the 20th of July plot mass arrests followed. Civilian resistance leader Carl Goerdeler had listed Rommel as potential Reich President though this plan was never discussed with him. Gestapo surveillance of Rommel's home in Ulm began following these events.
Two generals from Hitler's headquarters Wilhelm Burgdorf and Ernst Maisel visited Rommel at his home on the 14th of October 1944. Burgdorf informed him of charges and offered three options including defending himself before Hitler or facing People's Court which meant death sentence. Option C allowed him to choose death by suicide while government claimed he died a hero. In support of suicide option Burgdorf brought cyanide capsule. Rommel chose suicide explaining decision to wife and son. Wearing Afrika Korps jacket and carrying field marshal baton he got into Burgdorf's car driven by SS-Stabsscharführer Heinrich Doose. After stopping Doose and Maisel walked away leaving Rommel alone with Burgdorf. Five minutes later Burgdorf gestured for men to return finding Rommel slumped over. He died before being taken to Wagner-Schule field hospital. Ten minutes later group telephoned Rommel's wife to inform her. The official notice stated he died of heart attack or cerebral embolism complication from skull fractures suffered during strafing. Hitler ordered day of mourning as promised. Rommel received state funeral held in Ulm instead of Berlin as requested. Hitler sent Field Marshal Rundstedt unaware Rommel had died as result of orders as representative to funeral. Truth behind death became known when intelligence officer Charles Marshall interviewed widow and from letter by son Manfred in 1945.
Rommel is considered most well-known general on any side of World War II with actions still attracting major attention today. Numerous authors portray him as apolitical brilliant commander and victim of Nazi Germany though others contest this assessment calling it the Rommel myth. His reputation for conducting clean war used in interest of West German rearmament and reconciliation between former enemies. Several former subordinates notably chief of staff Hans Speidel played key roles in West German rearmament and integration into NATO. German Army largest military base Field Marshal Rommel Barracks Augustdorf named in his honor. Third ship of Lütjens-class destroyer of German Navy also named after him. Son Manfred Rommel served longtime mayor of Stuttgart Germany and namesake of Stuttgart Airport. Basil Liddell Hart described him strong leader worshipped by troops and respected by adversaries. Owen Connelly wrote no better exemplar of military leadership can be found citing Friedrich von Mellenthin on intuitive understanding between Rommel and men. Hitler remarked Rommel very great leader in success but absolute pessimist when difficulties arose. Wesley Clark states Rommel's military reputation has lived on setting standard for style of daring charismatic leadership to which most officers aspire. Ariel Sharon deemed military model superior that used by Montgomery while Moshe Dayan considered Rommel model and icon.
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Common questions
When and where was Erwin Rommel born?
Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel was born on the 15th of November 1891 in Heidenheim from Ulm within the Kingdom of Württemberg. His father served as an artillery lieutenant before becoming a local government official.
What major battles did Erwin Rommel fight during World War I?
Erwin Rommel fought in Romania and Italy during World War I while leading his battalion to capture 81 guns and 9,000 Italian soldiers at Matajur and Longarone in October 1917. These actions earned him the Pour le Mérite which is Germany's highest military honor.
How did Erwin Rommel contribute to the invasion of France in May 1940?
The invasion of France began on the 10th of May 1940 under Erwin Rommel's command of the 7th Panzer Division. His forces advanced rapidly to reach the Meuse River by the third day and took 10,000 prisoners on the 17th of May while losing only 36 men.
When did Erwin Rommel arrive in North Africa to command the Afrika Korps?
Rommel arrived in Tripoli on the 12th of February 1941 to command the new Afrika Korps. He rejected instructions from the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht to hold a defensive line near Sirte and launched an offensive with only part of his forces available on the 24th of March 1941.
What happened to Erwin Rommel on the 17th of July 1944?
On the 17th of July 1944 Erwin Rommel's staff car was strafed by Allied fighters near Sainte-Foy-de-Montgommery causing him to suffer three skull fractures that forced his removal from command. Two generals from Hitler's headquarters visited him at his home on the 14th of October 1944 and he chose suicide to avoid execution.