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Top 10 Amazing Facts about Erwin Rommel

General field Marschall Rommel. Photo Sourced from 

Johannes Erwin Eugen Rommel was a German field marshal during World War Two. Rommel was born on 15th November 1891 in Heidenheim (45 kilometres from Ulm), Kingdom of Wurttemberg, Southern Germany.

Rommel was the son of Erwin Rommel Senior and his mother was known as Helene Von Luz (her father, Karl Von Luz, was the Head of the Local Government Council.) He was the third born in a family of five children.

Rommel got his nickname 鈥淭he Desert Fox鈥� because of how he led the German and Italian armed forces during the North African campaign. He served in the armed forces in World War One and World War Two before he passed away.

Rommel was among the most decorated officers who were close to Adolf Hitler, but some controversy led to his death which was covered up as a suicide. Let鈥檚 take you through the ten amazing facts about Erwin Rommel:

1. Rommel was Born in a Well Decorated Family

The family of Erwin Rommel was among the most renowned families in Germany. Rommel鈥檚 father, Erwin Rommel Senior was an artillery lieutenant.

The father of his mother, Karl Von Luz was the Head of the Local Government council. Rommel had four siblings who were also placed well in Germany.

His older sister was an art teacher and was his favourite sibling, and one of his brothers died in infancy. The other two younger brothers were successful as one became a dentist and the other an opera singer.

2. Rommel joined Infantry at 18 Years and Rose to the Commander Rank

Erwin Rommel – gen. Photo by: Valtingojer.

In 1909 at the age of 18, Rommel joined the Wurttemberg infantry regiment number 124 in Weingarten as an officer candidate. The following year, Rommel went to study at the Officer Cadet School in Danzig.

He, later on, graduated in November 1911 and got commissioned as a lieutenant in January 1912. This is when Rommel was assigned to the 124th Infantry in Weingarten.

In March 1914, Rommel was posted to Ulm to the 46th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Wurttemberg Corps as the battery commander. However, he had to return to the 124th division when the first World War was declared.

3. Rommel Deployed Surprise Tactical Surprise Attacks on Enemies in World War One

France, Belgium – Field Marshal Erwin Rommel with officers on inspection of wooden barriers on the beach before the Atlantic Wall, April 1944. Photo by: Jesse.

After being recalled to the 124 Infantry, Rommel and his fellow soldiers joined in World War One. He fought in France, Romanian and Italian campaigns which were a huge success for him.

During the war period, Rommel and three of his soldiers deployed a surprise tactical attack on various enemies that gave him victories. He did penetrate through the enemy lines with heavy covering fire which was coupled with rapid advances.

This tactic enabled them to move forward to a flanking position which got them to the rear of hostile positions. Rommel got his first combat experience on 22nd August 1914 as the platoon commander.

4. Rommel was Awarded the Iron Cross after Success in Sep 1914 and Jan 1915

General Erwin Rommel in 麻豆APP. Photo Sourced from

The young soldier in Erwin Rommel played a huge role in ensuring Germany got success in World War One. The surprise tactical attacks launched by Rommel and his troops never went unrecognised.

In September 1914 and January 1915, Rommel played a great role in ensuring that German troops covered a greater area in their enemies’ territories. The actions of Rommel earned him the reward of the Iron Cross, Second Class.

Other than the Iron Cross, Rommel was promoted to the first lieutenant and transferred to the newly created Royal Wurttemberg Mountain Battalion.

5. Rommel Advocated for Diplomatic Negotiations rather than using Force

During the World War One period, there were riots and civil disturbances across Germany which needed to be calmed down. Rommel was always sent to bring calm in areas that experienced such.

Instead of using force to bring peace, Rommel always used diplomatic negotiations to restore calm. After the 1919 incident where he was forced to use 鈥渟heer force of personality鈥�, Rommel decided on peaceful means.

He was sent to the nearby city of Lindau which had been taken by revolutionary communists. Rommel decided to negotiate with the city council and managed to get it back to the legitimate government through diplomacy.

6. Rommel 1st Met with Hitler as a Lieutenant Colonel

Hitler meeting Gen.Feld.Marsch. Rommel. Photo Sourced from

He rose through the ranks quickly due to his abilities and knowledge of working peacefully and being loyal to Germany. In October 1933, Rommel was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant colonel and given command of the 3rd Jager Battalion stationed at Goslar.

This is where Erwin Rommel met Adolf Hitler for the first time. On 30th September 1934, Adolf Hitler met with Rommel when he inspected his troops.

7. Hitler Appointed Rommel as War Ministry Liaison Officer

Photo of Erwin Rommel. Sourced from

In February 1937, Adolf Hitler decided to appoint Rommel as the war ministry liaison officer after hearing of his reputation as an outstanding military instructor. Rommel was assigned to be in charge of the Hitler Youth’s military training.

However, Rommel clashed with the Hitler Youth leader because of his thoughts on the training. The Hitler Youth leader decided to appeal directly to Hitler who quietly removed Rommel from this project.

8. Rommel had an Interest in Engineering and Mechanics

After getting closer to Adolf Hitler, Rommel was able to come into contact with modernised weapons. He grew interested in engineering and mechanics which he learned more.

Rommel got to know more about the workings and maintenance of internal combustion engines and heavy machine guns. He, later on, memorised the logarithm tables during his spare time.
Rommel was also a huge fan of skiing and other outdoor sporting activities.

9. Rommel Supported the Assassination Plan of Adolf Hitler

After World War 2, the influence of Adolf Hitler in Germany and the Nazis’ rise was not supported by several generals of the German forces. Erwin Rommel is believed to be among the leaders who were opposing Hitler and planned for his assassination.

There is no clear evidence of this, but General Eberbach鈥檚 confession revealed that Rommel believed that the only way out for Germany was to kill Hitler. This is not the only revelation that Rommel was supporting the assassination of Adolf Hitler.

10. Rommel was Given Three Death Options after Conspiracy Claims

Grave of Erwin Rommel in Herrlingen (2019). Photo by: Olga Ernst.

Towards the end of World War Two, there were several controversies involving the top generals of Germany and Adolf Hitler. There was a claim that Rommel was included in the conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler.

On 14th October 1944, Adolf Hitler sent two generals to the home of Rommel to give him three options of how he could choose to die. Hitler did not want Rommel to be branded as a traitor and got executed as it could damage his morale on the home front.

The generals told Rommel he should choose to either defend himself in front of Hitler, face the People鈥檚 Court where he could be sentenced to death or accept to commit suicide. The first two options could mean that his family and staff could suffer, but if he committed suicide, his family could get his pension and he was to get a state funeral.

Rommel decided to commit suicide but explained everything to his wife and son. He joined the two generals in their vehicle and took cyanide when they had halted on their way.
Rommel died before he could be taken to Wagner Schule field hospital. His family was informed moments later.

Erwin Rommel will always be celebrated as a great person in German who was ruthless to the enemy but had a good heart for his friends and country.