Born in Heidenheim, Germany in 1891, he was the second of three sons of a Protestant headmaster of the secondary school at Aalen, Prof. Erwin Rommel Sr. and Helene von Luz, a daughter of a important local dignitary.
Young Erwin considered becoming an engineer and would throughout his life display extraordinary technical aptitude; however, he chose to attended the military academy at Danzig.
Much to his family's dismay young Rommel joined the local 124th Württemberg Infantry Regiment as an officer cadet in1910 and served in the military during WWI and saw combat in France, Romania, and Italy.
Rommel’s Rise: The Desert Fox
Rommel was twice wounded in action during the war and served with distinction and was decorated for bravery and received numerous metals including the Iron Cross; First and Second Class. Rommel also received Prussia's highest medal, the Pour le Mérite after fighting in the mountains of west Slovenia.
After the war, Rommel held battalion commands and was an instructor at the Dresden Infantry School from 1929 to 1933 and the Potsdam War Academy from 1935 to 1938.
Rommel's war diaries, Infantry Attacks, published in 1937, became a highly regarded military textbook, and attracted the attention of Adolf Hitler, who placed him in charge of the War Ministry liaison with the Hitler Youth.
In 1938, Rommel, now a Colonel, was appointed Kommandant of the War Academy at Weiner Neustadt. While stationed there he started his follow-up textbook to Infantry Attacks, with Tank Attacks.
Rommel was removed after a short time however, to take command of Adolf Hitler's personal protection battalion. And became close friends with Joseph Goebbels, the Reich's minister of propaganda.
Rommel used his popularity with Hitler and asked for command of a panzer division. He was given command of the Seventh Panzer-Division and participated in the invasion of France in 1940.
Rommel gained notoriety for his exploits in the French campaign and his unit was nicknamed “The Ghost Division” because of the speed and surprise it was able to achieve.
He was promoted and in 1941 was sent to North Africa (Libya) where he earned his nickname “The Desert Fox” by leading the Afrika Korps to amazing victories over the British.
Although his deeds in Africa were near legendary, eventually suffering from lack of supplies and reinforcements Rommel was forced to abandon the war in Africa and return to Germany to defend the homeland against the coming Allied Normandy Invasion.
Rommel’s Fall: Accused in Plot Against Hitler
Rommel’s defeat in Africa soiled propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels portrayal of him as indestructible. Never given an appointment of prominence after his return to Europe, Edwin persevered and did all he could to staunch the invasion.
His request to have all remaining Panzer divisions released to him in an effort to stall the invasion fell on deaf ears and ultimately that one poor decision on Hitler’s part caused the defenses to fail and the Allies to succeed.
He was injured when a Canadian Spitfire riddled his car with bullets. During his hospital stay he was very verbally critical of the incompetence of the higher command and had lost faith in Hitler’s rhetoric.
A plot to assassinate Hitler was foiled and Rommel’s name was indicated as having prior knowledge of the plot. Most experts dismiss Rommel’s involvement but suspicions were all that were needed to condemn him.
Edwin Rommel was given the choice of state execution or suicide with his involvement kept secret and with full military honors.
Ever a man of honor and high ideals, Rommel decided to take his own life (poison) and spare his family any Gestapo reprisals.
He was hailed and buried as a hero and is the only member of the Third Reich establishment to have a museum dedicated to him. His grave can be found in Herrlingen, a short distance west of Ulm.
Also read about Rommels American military rival in Africa General George Patton
Reference: The Everything WWII Book
by David White & Daniel Murphy Ph.D
Adams Media 2002
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