Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel (15 November 1891–14 October 1944) was a Field Marshal of Nazi Germany's Wehrmacht during World War II. Rommel is considered by many historians to be one of the greatest generals in history, and he was respected by both his allies and his enemies, being nicknamed "the Desert Fox" for his fight against the Allied Powers during the Western Desert Campaign in North Africa. Rommel was forced to commit suicide in 1944 after he was implicated in the Operation Valkyrie bomb plot against Adolf Hitler.
Biography[]
The son of a school principal, Erwin Rommel served as an infantry officer in World War I, earning the coveted Pour le Merite decoration for gallantry. He followed a dull path in infantry training and administration until his aggressive tactical ideas, detailes in his 1937 book Infantry Attacks, caught Hitler's attention. He was drawn into the Fuehrer's circle, taking command of his personal security battalion.
Rommel in 1943
Rommel had no experience with tanks, but his connection with Hitler got him command of the 7th Panzer Division for the invasion of France. It was an inspired appointment, for Rommel speahreaded the breakneck advance from the Ardennes to the English Channel, emerging as one of the heroes of the triumphant campaign. In February 1941, he was given command of the Afrika Korps, a force sent to North Africa to prevent the Italians from losing Libya. He was soon given command of all Axis forces in the desert. Though starved of resources, Rommel outfought his British opponents, coordinating tank maneuvers that constantly wrong-footed his sluggish enemies. At Gazala in May–June 1942, he destroyed more than 500 British tanks. But Rommel's grasp of strategy did not equal his tactical gifts. Ignoring insuperable supply problems, he plunged forward into Egypt. Halted and then forced to retreat at El Alamein, he continued to display great skills in a long fighting withdrawal. His inspired counterattack against the Americans at the Kasserine Pass in February 1943, however, could not prevent eventual defeat in Tunisia.
Rommel was recalled from North Africa before the final Axis surrender. He supervised the defense of the French coast against Allied invasion, but was away on leave on D-Day. In July 1944, he was wounded in an air attack. Although not a participant in the Hitler assassination plot, Rommel fell under suspicion and committed suicide to avoid a trial and execution.