Rommel, "The Desert Fox," in full tanker regalia.Wow. I finally finished reading David Fraser's biography, "Knight's Cross: A Life of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel," and find myself in the unenviable position of posting about Germany's greatest general soon before Independence Day. Sorry; it can't be helped.
Anyone who watches The History Channel as much as I do already knows that Erwin Rommel is one of the greatest battle commanders that ever lived. Climbing the ranks from Lieutenant to Field Marshal, Rommel was a successful tactician throughout the First and Second World Wars, but he was even more successful at improvisation. Rommel molded the battle to suit his needs.
And his needs were usually more than Germany could provide, especially in World War II.
Throughout the North Africa campaign, Rommel found his panzerarmee outnumbered and outequipped against a formidable British force. For some, that would be a setback; for Rommel it was an opportunity. Waging battle across Libya and Egypt, the German tankers made more gains than losses . . . until Hitler stopped caring. Fueled by insanity and denial, the fuhrer poured men and material into the Eastern Front, leaving the panzerarmee at the mercy of Montgomery.
Although never a member of the Nazi Party, Rommel believed that soldiers do their duty and do it to the best of their ability. Politics never interested him as much as the welfare of his men, and to a great extent, his foes. When rumors of mistreatment of British POW's at the hands of his panzer troops surfaced, Rommel personally visited POW camps and vowed that any mistreatment would end in swift punishment. Rommel respected soldiers on both sides of the war, and that, eventually, was his undoing.
After the Normandy invasion of 1944, Rommel pleaded with Hitler to make peace. He declared the war "unwinnable," and a quick peace would save countless German lives. Hitler, of course, thought Rommel was simply a pessimist, and after an attempt on Hitler's life that July (of which Rommel did not have implicit knowledge), Hitler purged the highest ranks of the armed forces.
Rommel was given a choice: submit to a "People's Court" for trial on charges of treason, or suicide by poison; and thus, save his family from further punishment. Although Rommel was innocent of any treason charges, he believed that the SS would make sure he never made it to trial. So, he explained his decision and said goodbye to his wife and son. He left his home with two other generals, who gave him the poison. Rommel died minutes later.
Hitler was true to his word, and called Rommel a German hero. The state funeral was a farce, as the same people who were implicit in Rommel's forced suicide spoke with glowing praise at the services. Rommel's wife Lucy wrote later that she could barely stomach the display, and wrote that a man who gave his life in service for his country deserved better.
She was right.
I was watching the History Channel late last night and they were showing the "taking" of Belgium, the "taking" of Italy, and the African front(s) from the German perspective (tactics, improversation, etc...). It was interesting to see them from a different perspective, with their footage. It actually reminded me of all the times you see soldiers from different sides meeting when they are old men and realizing how similar their fights were. Everyone wanted to get home, everyone was working for his side, and they all did as they were told.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I've ever looked at WWII objectively before. I used to watch Worlds of War or War of Worlds (used to be on Sat. tv in the 70s) with my grandpop, so I only have those images. Like I said, it was interesting to watch. I wondered how different things would be if we had become involved sooner, or if Germany was able to go as far as it wanted. From what I watched last night countries seemed to just fold. I can't fathom that in this day and age...although, I'm sure it could happen.
Sorry this was so long. I just thought, "wow." I totally understand what you are saying after watching the History Channel last night.
I've always wondered what would have happened to Rommel had he survived the fall of the Reich and surrendered to the allies? Would he have been tried at Neuremburg(sp?) I'd like to think that his nemesis Patton (and maybe even Montgomery) would have testified in his favor that Rommel was simply a good (brilliant!) soldier.
ReplyDeleteDon't apologize for the timing - an "Earp History Lesson" is always appropriate!
You often have to wonder what would have happened if Hitler had been killed early on. The Germans may have tried for peace, although I'm not sure Churchill and Stalin would have agreed. The Germans also could have won, or at least kept most of Europe and Asia under their control. A prime lesson in why the gov't always needs to get out of the militaries way. Yet that mistake gets repeated over and over.
ReplyDeleteNorth Korea's ruler has some parallels. He is crazy, and most of his people seem to believe his craziness. You have to wonder if at some point before he tries to launch a weapon, some generals will have had enough and just shoot him in the head.