In General: Erwin Rommel

Name:

Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel (1891 – 1944)

Nickname

“Wüstenfuchs” (The Desert Fox)
“Ghost Division” (Nickname given to Rommel’s unit for its rapid maneuvers and unpredictable attack patterns)

Affiliation:

Nazi Germany

Conflict:

World War II

Nemesis:

George S. Patton (US)
Bernard Montgomery (UK)

Notable Victories:

Battle of Gazala
Invasion of France

Notable Defeats:

First Battle of El Alamein
Second Battle of El Alamein
Siege of Tobruk

Famous Quote:

“Sweat saves blood, blood saves lives, and brains saves both.”
“Krieg ohne Hass” (War without hate)

Famous tactics:

Rommel studied and perfected the famous German Blitzkrieg tactics. At the beginning of World War II, most of the allied forces were employing the WWI entrenchment tactics. Rather than get bogged down in a broad front like the stalemates of WWI, Rommel concentrated his tanks on a single point. This would open a small hole in the allied lines that Rommel’s tanks would quickly turn into a gaping wound. Once the enemy was on it’s heels, Rommel never let up until he had either destroyed or captured entire allied armies. During the invasion of France, Rommel captured or killed over 100,000 French troops while losing little more than 2,000 men.

It was the Africa campaign, however, that made Rommel the scourge of the British and American armies. In the wide open desert wastelands of northern Africa, Rommel’s tanks and skillful maneuvering were unmatched by anything the allies could put in his way.

Rommel’s Afrika Korps quickly drove through the desert, demolishing everything in it’s path, until it reached the port of Tobruk. It was there that Rommel believed he could deal a deadly blow to the allies and secure victory in Africa. Tobruk, however, would prove to be no easy prey. Garrisoned there were units from Australia and the retreating British. Despite multiple attacks, the defenders held their ground. Rommel’s true undoing in Africa would prove to be logistics. Whereas the defenders of Tobruk were resupplied by sea with ammunition, troops, and provisions; Rommel’s men had only a long supply line through the desert that was constantly harassed by Allied air power. Even so, the British tank force sent to relieve Tobruk suffered heavy losses when they met the poorly supplied Afrika Korps. Eventually, Rommel would admit his overconfidence and withdraw from the siege of Tobruk instead of launching another doomed attack.

Despite later victories at Gazala and Kasserine Pass, Rommel was condemned to fighting a defensive action from then on. His plan to defend the French coast would certainly have succeeded in halting the D-Day invasion were it not for Hitler’s reluctance to station Rommel’s Panzer Divisions near the Coast between Normandy and Calais. Even so, they might have reached Normandy in time were it not for Hitler’s nap. The Fuhrer was asleep when the allies landed and his aides were simply too frightened of the man to disturb him so he could issue the order for Rommel to engage. By the time Hitler woke up and the tanks of the German Army were sent into battle, the allies had secured a foothold at the five beaches of Normandy.

Synopsis:

Rommel was one of the most decorated officers in Nazi Germany. His uniform proudly displayed the many metals he was awarded for his service in WWI and with a pair of Tank Commander goggles on his head, he won the admiration of the enlisted men he commanded.

Despite his devastating tactics, Rommel was known by his enemies as a compassionate antagonist, an uncharacteristic trait for a high ranking Nazi. Due to his fast movements, he often ended up behind enemy lines. In one case, he actually stumbled into an Allied field hospital. Rather than slaughter helpless wounded, Rommel asked the staff what supplies they required, and then handed them over from his own unit’s inventory. This earned him the respect of his allies. British General Montgomery even named his dog after the German General.

There was a well known rift between Rommel and Hitler that was demonstrated on several occasions. Both at Tobruk and Normandy, the two could not agree on a course of action. Rommel also refused to execute POW’s and Jews despite multiple orders to do so. It was this public disagreement that caused Rommel to be implicated in a failed attempt on Hitler’s life.

This placed Hitler in a difficult position. He had a choice between publicly executing a national hero, or allowing a conspirator to live. Hitler chose to use Rommel’s compassion and reputation to his advantage. He gave Rommel the choice between suicide by cyanide poisoning or watching his wife and children die. Rommel committed suicide soon after in order to spare his family. He was given a hero’s burial with no mention of an execution thanks to the Nazi Propaganda machine.

On a personal note, my grandfather, Ernest Gamble, was a Sherman Tank Commander in WWII who served in the 3rd Armored Division under Patton. His unit went up against Rommel’s tanks on more than one occasion.  Unfortunately, I never got the chance to ask Pops what he thought about Erwin Rommel, but it’s a good bet it was respect, resentment, and a mouthful of cusses.

~Man Overboard

Image used in this Post

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons published under the CC license.