The Legacy of German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

October 9, 2024

Key Points

Who was Erwin Rommel and why is he notable?
Erwin Rommel (1891-1944) was a prominent German army officer who achieved the rank of field marshal. He gained widespread recognition for his leadership of Germany's Afrika Korps in North Africa during World War II, earning the nickname “the Desert Fox.” Additionally, Rommel played a significant role in commanding German defenses against the Allied invasion of northern France.

Who was the final individual to be promoted to field marshal in the German armed forces?
The last person to be promoted to the rank of field marshal in the German armed forces was Generaloberst Greim. Adolf Hitler elevated him to Generalfeldmarschall, appointing him as the commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe, succeeding Hermann Göring, whom Hitler had dismissed for treason.

Who was appointed as the first field marshal by Adolf Hitler?
Adolf Hitler appointed Werner von Blomberg as his first field marshal in 1936. Prior to this, Hitler had made him minister of defense in 1933 and minister of war in 1935. Blomberg was instrumental in having all German soldiers pledge an oath of personal loyalty to Hitler.

German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel stands as one of the most renowned military leaders of World War II. Known as the "Desert Fox," Rommel gained fame for his tactical brilliance and innovative use of armored warfare. His role in the North Africa campaign and later in the defense of Normandy had a significant impact on the course of the war, solidifying his place in military history.

Rommel's career spanned both World Wars, beginning with his service in World War I where he earned the Iron Cross. His leadership of the 7th Panzer Division during the Battle of France showcased his skill in Blitzkrieg tactics. Later, as commander of the Afrika Korps, Rommel's strategic acumen was on full display in the harsh desert environment. This article explores Rommel's military journey, his notable campaigns, and the lasting legacy he left on warfare and the German Army.

Rommel's Early Military Career

Erwin Rommel's military journey began long before he became known as the "Desert Fox" during World War II. His early career laid the foundation for his later successes and shaped his tactical approach to warfare.

World War I Achievements

Rommel's military prowess first came to light during World War I. He served in various theaters of war, including France, Romania, and Italy. His actions on the battlefield earned him significant recognition and decorations. In September 1914 and January 1915, Rommel received the Iron Cross, Second Class, for his valor ^[1].

As the war progressed, Rommel continued to distinguish himself. He was promoted to Oberleutnant (first lieutenant) and transferred to the Royal Wurttemberg Mountain Battalion of the Alpenkorps in September 1915, where he served as a company commander ^[1]. His leadership skills and tactical acumen were evident during this period.

One of Rommel's most notable achievements came in August 1917 during the battle for Mount Cosna, a heavily fortified position on the Hungarian-Romanian border. After two weeks of challenging uphill combat, Rommel's unit successfully captured the objective ^[1]. This victory showcased his ability to overcome difficult terrain and formidable defenses.

Rommel's innovative approach to warfare began to take shape during World War I. He played a role in developing infiltration tactics, a new form of maneuver warfare that German armies were adopting. These tactics, which some later described as "Blitzkrieg without tanks," involved penetrating enemy lines with heavy covering fire coupled with rapid advances ^[1].

For his exceptional service and leadership during the war, Rommel received the prestigious Pour le Mérite, Germany's highest military honor at the time ^[1]. This award recognized his actions on the Italian Front and solidified his reputation as a skilled and daring officer.

Interwar Period

Following World War I, Rommel remained with the 124th Regiment until October 1920. During this time, Germany experienced significant civil unrest, and Rommel's unit was involved in quelling riots and disturbances throughout the country. Notably, Rommel preferred to avoid the use of force in these confrontations whenever possible ^[1].

In 1919, Rommel was briefly sent to Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance. There, he managed to restore order in the 32nd Internal Security Company, which consisted of rebellious and pro-communist sailors, through his sheer force of personality ^[1]. This incident demonstrated Rommel's leadership abilities beyond the battlefield.

Rommel's career continued to advance during the interwar years. In October 1920, he was appointed to a company command with the 13th Infantry Regiment in Stuttgart, a position he held for nine years ^[1]. This period allowed him to refine his leadership skills and develop his tactical thinking.

From 1929 to 1933, Rommel served as an instructor at the Dresden Infantry School. During this time, he was promoted to major in April 1932 ^[1]. His experience as an instructor proved valuable, as it allowed him to analyze and codify his ideas on infantry tactics. In 1934, Rommel published a manual on infantry training, sharing his insights with a broader military audience ^[1].

Rise Through Nazi Ranks

As the Nazi Party came to power in Germany, Rommel's career continued to progress. In October 1933, he was promoted to Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel) and given command of the 3rd Jäger Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, stationed in Goslar ^[1].

Rommel's reputation as an outstanding military instructor caught the attention of Adolf Hitler. In February 1937, Hitler assigned Rommel as the War Ministry liaison officer to the Hitler Youth, tasking him with overseeing military training ^[1]. This appointment brought Rommel into closer contact with the Nazi leadership and helped to advance his career further.

In 1937, Rommel published his book "Infanterie greift an" (Infantry Attacks), which detailed his wartime experiences and tactical analysis ^[1]. This work further cemented his reputation as a thoughtful and innovative military leader.

Rommel's rise through the ranks continued, and he was promoted to Oberst (colonel) on August 1, 1937 ^[1]. The following year, in the wake of the Anschluss, Rommel was appointed commandant of the Theresian Military Academy at Wiener Neustadt, a prestigious position that reflected his growing stature within the German military establishment ^[1].

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The Desert Fox in North Africa

Erwin Rommel's arrival in North Africa in February 1941 marked a turning point in the Western Desert Campaign. Appointed commander of the Afrika Korps, Rommel was tasked with supporting the struggling Italian forces against the Allied troops. His bold and dynamic leadership style quickly earned him the nickname "Desert Fox" among both German and British soldiers ^[2].

Initial Successes

Rommel wasted no time in taking charge of the faltering Axis campaign. His aggressive tactics and surprise attacks caught the British off guard. By mid-April 1941, Rommel had scored several quick victories against British defenses around Cyrenaica and surrounded the coastal fortress of Tobruk ^[2]. His rapid advance pushed the British forces back to the Egyptian frontier, demonstrating the effectiveness of his Blitzkrieg tactics in the desert terrain.

The German field marshal's success continued into 1942. In January, Rommel launched a new offensive aimed at seizing the Suez Canal ^[3]. After capturing Benghazi, Rommel's forces destroyed most of the British tank force and took Tobruk in June 1942 ^[3]. This victory allowed the German-Italian army to advance into Egypt, reaching the British defenses at El Alamein on June 30, 1942 ^[3].

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Siege of Tobruk

The siege of Tobruk became a critical point in Rommel's North African campaign. Beginning on April 10, 1941, the siege lasted for 231 days ^[4]. The port city, heavily fortified by the Italians during their 30-year occupation, was garrisoned by 36,000 Commonwealth troops under the command of Australian Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead ^[1].

Rommel recognized the strategic importance of Tobruk, as its capture would significantly reduce his supply lines and increase his overall port capacity ^[1]. However, his initial attempts to take the city were met with fierce resistance. On April 14, Rommel launched a failed attack, hoping to catch the defenders off-guard ^[1]. A second attempt on April 30 also proved unsuccessful ^[1].

The defenders of Tobruk, who became known as the "Rats of Tobruk," repulsed several Axis attacks and conducted aggressive patrols that captured numerous Italian troops ^[5]. Despite being cut off by land, the garrison continued to receive supplies and reinforcements via the port, making it a thorn in Rommel's side ^[1].

El Alamein and Defeat

Rommel's advance was finally halted at El Alamein, just 60 miles from Alexandria ^[6]. The narrow front and the impassable Qattara Depression to the south created a choke point that prevented Rommel's preferred maneuver tactics ^[3]. This defensive position favored the British Eighth Army, whose main strength lay in artillery and infantry formations ^[3].

In October 1942, the Second Battle of El Alamein began. By this time, the British forces under General Bernard Montgomery had built up a significant advantage in men and equipment, with approximately double the number of troops and tanks available to Rommel ^[3]. The battle lasted for 13 days, during which the Axis forces suffered heavy losses ^[7].

Despite Rommel's tactical skills, the overwhelming Allied material superiority proved decisive. On November 2, Rommel signaled to Hitler that the battle was lost ^[3]. Although initially refused permission to retreat, Rommel began withdrawing his German units, leaving his Italian allies to be captured by the British ^[3].

The defeat at El Alamein marked the beginning of the end for Rommel's North African campaign. The Axis forces were forced to retreat from Egypt and Libya to the borders of Tunisia ^[7]. This victory revived Allied morale and, coupled with Operation Torch, the Anglo-American landings in North Africa on November 8, spelled the end of Axis ambitions in the region ^[3].

Rommel's Role in the Defense of Normandy

In late 1943, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was appointed to oversee the defense of Western Europe against the anticipated Allied invasion. His experience in North Africa had convinced him that the only way to repel the invasion was to stop it at the beaches. This belief shaped his approach to fortifying the Atlantic Wall and deploying German forces in Normandy.

Atlantic Wall Fortifications

Rommel's strategy for defending the French coastline involved a massive strengthening of the existing Atlantic Wall fortifications. He ordered the construction of hundreds of reinforced concrete pillboxes on and near the beaches to house machine guns, antitank guns, and artillery. These fortifications were strategically placed to create interlocking fields of fire across the beaches ^[8].

The German field marshal also implemented an extensive array of obstacles both on land and in the water. Underwater obstacles and naval mines were placed offshore to damage or destroy landing craft. On the beaches, Rommel had millions of land mines and antitank obstacles installed ^[8]. By the time of the Allied invasion, the Germans had laid almost six million mines in Northern France ^[8].

Rommel's innovative approach to defense extended inland as well. In areas deemed likely for glider landings or parachute drops, he ordered the installation of slanted poles with sharpened tops, which became known as "Rommel's Asparagus" ^[8] ^[9]. Low-lying areas were intentionally flooded to hinder Allied movement, and additional defenses such as minefields, levees, trenches, and anti-tank ditches were constructed further inland ^[9].

The German field marshal's determination to defeat the Allies on the beaches led to significant improvements in the coastal defenses. He believed that Germany's only chance of victory lay in pushing back the invasion force within the first 24 hours, declaring, "It is absolutely necessary that we push the British and Americans back from the beaches. Afterwards it will be too late; the first 24 hours of the invasion will be decisive" ^[8].

D-Day and Aftermath

Despite Rommel's extensive preparations, when the Allied invasion began on June 6, 1944, he was not in Normandy. Ironically, he had returned to Germany to celebrate his wife's birthday ^[10]. This absence during the crucial initial hours of the invasion hampered the German response.

As Rommel rushed back to his command post at La Roche-Guyon, he realized that the opportunity to repel the invasion had already slipped away ^[10]. The German forces, despite their fortifications and obstacles, were unable to prevent the Allies from establishing a foothold in Normandy.

In the weeks following D-Day, Rommel attempted to contain the Allied advance. However, his efforts were hindered by disagreements with other German commanders over strategy. Rommel advocated for a more flexible defense, with armored units positioned close to the coast for rapid counterattacks. This approach conflicted with the traditional German doctrine of holding a mobile reserve further inland ^[11].

As the campaign in Normandy progressed, Rommel became increasingly disillusioned with the war effort. He tried on several occasions to convince Hitler that the war was lost and that Germany should seek terms with the Western Allies ^[12]. These attempts, along with his suspected involvement in the July 20 plot to assassinate Hitler, ultimately led to his forced suicide in October 1944 ^[1].

Rommel's role in the defense of Normandy showcased both his tactical brilliance and the limitations of even the most well-prepared defenses against overwhelming force. While his Atlantic Wall fortifications and innovative obstacles caused significant difficulties for the Allied forces, they were ultimately unable to prevent the successful invasion of France.

Conclusion

Erwin Rommel's military career had a significant impact on World War II and left a lasting mark on military strategy. His tactical brilliance in the North African campaign and his innovative approach to defending Normandy showcased his adaptability and forward-thinking leadership. Rommel's legacy extends beyond his battlefield successes, as his reputation for chivalry and respect for his opponents set him apart from many of his contemporaries.

To wrap up, Rommel's story is a complex one, blending military genius with moral ambiguity in the context of Nazi Germany. His eventual disillusionment with Hitler's regime and suspected involvement in the July 20 plot highlight the ethical dilemmas faced by many German officers during the war. Rommel's life and career continue to be a subject of study and debate, offering valuable insights into leadership, strategy, and the moral challenges of warfare.