Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel
- Born:
- 15 November 1891, Heidenheim an der Brenz, Germany
- Died:
- 14 October 1944, Herrlingen, Germany (forced suicide)
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Field Marshal (German: Generalfeldmarschall), Military Theorist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a middle-class family; his father was a headmaster.
- Initially interested in engineering but joined the German Army in 1910.
- Attended the Danzig Royal War School in 1911.
Career and Major Achievements
- Distinguished himself during World War I, earning the Iron Cross (First Class) for bravery.
- Served in various infantry and mountain battalions between the world wars.
- Authored Infanterie greift an (Infantry Attacks), a military tactics manual.
- Commanded the 7th Panzer Division during the invasion of France in 1940, earning the nickname "Ghost Division".
- Commanded the Deutsches Afrikakorps in North Africa (1941-1943), earning the nickname "Desert Fox" for his tactical prowess.
- Awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, one of Germany's highest military decorations.
- Served as commander of Army Group B in Northern Italy and later in France.
- Implicated in the 20 July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler; he was given the option of suicide to protect his family.
Notable Works
- Infanterie greift an (Infantry Attacks) (1937)
- Krieg ohne Hass (War Without Hate) (posthumously published)
Legacy and Impact
Erwin Rommel remains a controversial figure. While admired for his military skills and perceived chivalry, his service to Nazi Germany and his ultimate involvement in the war cannot be ignored. His tactical doctrines influenced military thinking for decades after his death.