Quick Disclaimer here – the creators of slicethelife are people that enjoy reading, writing, and commenting about history. Occasionally, a figure will come along that may or may not be someone viewed favorable by history, yet their impact on history cannot be denied. Military figures are fascinating people, and whether they fought for the winning or losing side, they were soldiers doing their job. No one here was, is, or will be Nazi sympathizers, we just like to write about interesting things and people. I would like to think that everyone who reads our little section of the web, is objective and open minded enough to understand, that we offer these as portraits of the people themselves, not the governing forces behind them.

One other note – I am grateful that my co-blogger Hans, (who carries about 99% of the work here) has entrusted me with the last few biographies that I have written. Thanks and keep up your great work.

Erwin Rommel was born 15 November 1891 in Heidenheim. His father was the headmaster of a Protestant school at Aalen, a city about 40 miles from Stuttgart. Rommel showed technical proficiency from an early age. At 14 he and friends built a glider that was capable of flying short distances. Rommel considered an engineering discipline, but chose to honor his father’s wishes and joined the 124th Württemberg Infantry Regiment. In 1910 Rommel moved to Danzig to attend Officer Cadet School. He graduated on his 20th birthday and was commissioned leutnant in January of 1912. While at cadet school Rommel met Lucia Mollin who would become his wife in 1916, their union would produce a son Manfred Rommel, who would later become the mayor of Stuttgart.

During World War I, Rommel would serve in the 6th Württemberg Infantry Regiment. Rommel was a decisive leader, able to maintain clear headedness and often capitalized on the confusion the battle placed on the enemy. His tactical abilities were honed as part of the Alpenkorps, as the battles were fought in France, Romania, and Italy. Rommel was wounded three times, and was awarded the Iron Cross, first and second class. Also he was awarded the highest honor bestowed by Prussia the order of Pour le Mérite, after fighting at Isonzo in the north-eastern Alps.

After the war Rommel chose to remain a front line officer, instead of taking a position that would lead him toward General Staff. He held battalion commands while serving as an instructor at the officer school he graduated from in Dresden. While he served as an instructor, Rommel had time to author several books. The first was published in 1934 and was a manual on officer instruction. His second book was basically a collection of his diaries from World War I, and it was published in 1937 under the title Infanterie greift an (Infantry Attacks). This book became a highly regarded textbook, that was read by friends and foes alike. The movie Patton starring George C. Scott as Patton made a reference to this – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJXKVOxqkWM&feature=player_detailpage

The book also caught the attention of Adolf Hitler. Hitler was so taken with Rommel’s expertise that he put Rommel in charge of the War Ministry Liaison with the Hitler Youth, Headquarters of Military Sports. Rommel worked very hard in this position, conducting tours and lecturing at the Hitler Youth meetings and encampments. Most of the lectures were on soldering and military tactics. Rommel stayed at this until 1938 when he was appointed Kommandant of the War Academy at Theresian Military Academy. He was removed a short time later on to take command of Hitler’s personal protection battalion. During this time Rommel met and was befriended by the Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels. Goebbels, too became an admirer of Rommel and as the Minister of Propaganda made sure that the exploits of Rommel would be celebrated for all of the Reich to see.

Germany invaded Poland 1 September 1939. The German Panzer divisions and Wehrmacht unleashed the ‘Blitzkrieg’ or lightning war. The Polish offered little to no resistance, and the Germans conquered Poland with ease. This was the event that touched off hostilities, as in the coming days the belligerents took sides or acted on previously agreed upon treaties. The countries of the Crown, or Commonwealth – UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa et al, along with France declared war on Germany and Slovakia. A little more than two weeks later the Soviet Union signed a cease fire with Japan and also chose to invade Poland. Though Poland was occupied and divided up by the opposing forces, they did not surrender, and created an extensive resistance, while continuing to fight with the Allies on other fronts.

Rommel requested of Hitler to be placed in command of a Panzer Division. He was given command of the 7th Panzer division. This promotion caused quite the row and resentment among the German officers, because of his inexperience and the fact that he had been in mostly mountain terrain battles previously. Rommel was an excellent student of armor tactics, and combined with his knowledge of mobile infantry, the decision to give him this command was not questioned for long. Rommel was a bold commander, and it could be argued that he was the first modern purveyor of the ‘shock and awe’ form of battle. Many times Rommel and his tanks would charge forward, ignoring his flanks and rear to take the battle to the enemy. The German Panzer units were generally outgunned and lacked the heavy armor of opposing tanks. Rommel’s tactics turned the battle to his favor by causing larger and superior forces to retreat from the battle.

In late May, Rommel was awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross. He was the first division commander so honored and this again caused quite the bit of animosity as most thought he received this from his relationship with Hitler and not on his merits. Rommel attacked with such speed and fervency, that his division was given the nickname the “Ghost Division”, and at times even the German High Command was unsure of the divisions whereabouts.

Rommel moved on to command the newly organized Afrikakorps. It was during this time that he earned the ‘Desert Fox’ moniker. Rommel would spend 1941-1943 fighting many battles in Africa. His aggressive manner and style here continued to not earn him the trust and following of his fellow officers. The offensive was to take back areas that the Italian Army had lost in the previous months. Rommel pushed back, but his offensive was not successful, and resulted in the siege of Tobruk, which lasted 240 days. Rommel was angered as he perceived that the commanders and the Italian men lacked a fighting spirit.

The Allies and the Axis slugged it out for a couple years before the Allies managed to push the Axis out of Northern Africa. Rommel had planned to withdraw from Africa in November of 1942, but right as he was making final preparations a cable arrived from Hitler stating ‘Victory or Death’. Rommel knew the situation was hopeless, but did not want to disobey a direct order from Hitler. He stayed on as the Allied forces continued to get stronger. Rommel tried one last offensive in March 1943 but suffered heavy losses. He transferred command and left Africa due to health issues. The German forces surrendered in May.

As the tide of the war turned, Rommel was tasked with defending the French coast from invasion. Rommel was upset with the lack of preparation needed for the defense. While the High Command believed the attack would happen at Calais, Rommel believed that the attack would take place and Normandy. Rommel did state, however, that it really did not matter where the Allied landing took place as long as it was successful. The opening hours of D-Day saw much confusion on the German side, since Rommel and many of the officers were on leave.

After the Allied forces established a foothold in France, the handwriting was on the wall for the Nazi empire. A group began forming to remove Hitler from power. Rommel agreed to join as a matter to save Germany. Rommel did not want to assassinate Hitler, he believed that if he were assassinated that it would give Hitler martyr status, and cause a large rift in the populace of Austria and Germany and quite probably cause a civil war. The plot was decided to try to assassinate Hitler with a satchel bomb. After the plot failed, it was not long that Rommel’s name as a conspirator was exposed.

Rommel was given a choice to either face a court or to quietly commit suicide. Rommel wanted to make sure that his family would not suffer, so he spoke briefly with his wife and son, and left their home. Rommel ingested a capsule of cyanide and died.

The official story of his death was that he suffered a heart attack. Hitler ordered a day of mourning and Rommel was buried with full military honors. Despite his wishes of no political paraphernalia, the Nazi party placed swastikas on his body and casket. The truth of Rommel’s death was not known until the Nuremberg trials”

Winston Churchill said of Rommel “He also deserves our respect, because, although a loyal German soldier, he came to hate Hitler and all his works, and took part in the conspiracy to rescue Germany by displacing the maniac and tyrant. For this, he paid the forfeit of his life. In the sombre wars of modern democracy, there is little place for chivalry.”

Erwin Rommel is buried in Herrlingen.