Erwin Rommel Timeline
Category: Other
Updated: 29 Apr 2022
English Info essay
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Created byAaron A Spies
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On November 15th, 1891 Erwin Johannes Eugen
Rommel was born to middle class parents Erwin
and Helene Rommel in Heidenheim, Germany.
Rommel was a small and well behaved child with
a quiet dreamy manner (Bigelow 223).When Rommel became a teen he started to
become more active, studying math (Erwin’s
favorite subject), biking, or skiing. Rommel was
interested in Airplanes and wanted to become
an aeronautical engineer, but his father wanted
him to join the military.In July 1910, Rommel became a cadet in the
124th Wurttemberg Infantry Regiment.2 years later, in 1912, Rommel became a
lieutenant.In 1914 Rommel married Lucie Mollin, which
Rommel had met years earlier.In 1917, when Rommel was 26, he led the
capture of 9,000 Italians and Monte Matajur near
Caporetto. Rommel’s superiors were impressed
by his “Boldness, courage, and determination as
well as his ability to act quickly and decisively.”
(Bigelow 224).For his contribution, Rommel received the Pour
Le Merite (Also known as the Iron Cross) at the
age of 27, which was a feat considering that it
was usually given to older, more experienced
leaders.In 1921, Rommel was a company commander in
a regiment near Stuttgart, and Rommel's son,
Manfred, was born.4 years later Rommel’s teachings as an instructor
at an infantry school near Dresden were
compiled into a book named, “Infantry Attacks”.
Hitler read Rommel’s book and admired
Rommel’s work.In 1935 Rommel became an instructor at
Potsdam war academy where the Hitler Youth
trained. Rommel was later fired after a
disagreement with a very strict SS officer who
was in charge of the camp.In 1938 Hitler chose Rommel as an escort leader
for Hitler’s rallies in Czechoslovakia, Hitler was
impressed by Rommel.A couple of months after, Rommel was
promoted to major general which gave him
command of Hitler’s field headquarters in
Poland.As Germany was preparing to attack France,
Rommel was given command of the Seventh
Panzer Division (commonly referred to as the ghost
or phantom division because they would move
so fast they seemed to appear out of nowhere).After the French victory, Rommel earned the Iron
Cross and in 1941 was given command of Afrika
Korps where he pushed British forces 1500 miles
to Egypt. He captured the admiration of friends
and enemies alike. Ramel earned the nickname
Desert Fox because of his clever maneuvers and
his element of surprise. At one point a British
General even had to tell his officers to stop
admiring him too much. Rommel had a good
relationship with the allies because he treated
the POWS well, unlike other German gSoldiers liked that he commanded in the middle
of the battle, but the disadvantage was that he
couldn’t make or decide on important decisions
that were going on back at the FOB (Forward Operating Base).
Since Rommel didn’t want to become a political figure
and didn’t have any political ambitions, Hitler
chose him as a war hero.In June 1942, Rommel was promoted to Field
Marshall, becoming the youngest ever Field
Marshall.In late 1942, Rommel’s logistics started to wane,
and as a result his troops got pushed back 2000
miles.In the March 1943 defeat at Medinine, the
Germans had to accept defeat in North Africa.
Rommel had stomach pains so he had to leave to
Germany to get treatment.At the end of 1943, German Generals thought
that the allies would soon invade Europe.Rommel was sent to France to prepare for the
invasion in 1944. Rommel and Von Runestadt did
not agree on tank placement, so they
compromised on the decision, which was very
effective. Rommel didn’t believe the allies would
invade because of bad weather, so he left for a
meeting with Hitler and his wife’s birthday.After D-Day Rommel realized that Germany
could not win the war and he also learned about
the Concentration Camps. Rommel quickly met
with Hitler and urged him to close the camps
and try alternative ways to improve Germany’s
chances. Hitler refused to do so, so Rommel felt
disillusioned and bitter with the war effort.Whilst on his way to France, Rommel was strafed
by a RAF Spitfire. Rommel’s driver was killed and
Rommel was hit in the head and left
unconscious. Rommel was rushed to the hospital
while Hitler’s assassination attempt was
carried out with little success.
Rommel was suspected of conspiracy even
though he was unconscious in the hospital and
not involved in the plot. Rommel said that Hitler
should have been arrested and trialed, not
assassinated (Bigelow 230).On October 14, 1944 two generals arrived at
Rommel’s house and asked to speak with
Rommel privately. When they were done talking
Rommel told his family, “I have come to say
goodbye. In a quarter of an hour I will be dead.”
The generals had said that Rommel had two
choices, the first one would be suicide by poison
that the generals claimed “would kill him in two
seconds” and his family would not be harmed.
The second option would be to go on trial in the
“people's court” where his family may be
haRommel drove off with the generals, and 15
minutes later Lucie got a call that Rommel died
of a “heart attack”. Hitler did not want the public
to react negatively, So Hitler said Rommel died of
“War Wounds” And gave Rommel a full honors
military funeral. Hitler offered a memorial but
Lucie denied, knowing it was a false tribute.
Rommel was buried at Herrlingen Cemetery,
Blaustein.“Sweat saves blood, blood saves lives, but brains
saves both.” On Nov. 15th 1891 Erwin Rommel
was born to Erwin and Helene Rommel. He
would have liked to study engineering but his
father wanted him to join the military. He
eventually became a general and commanded
many successful operations in his military
career. He was accused later on in WW2 that he
conspired to kill Hitler, he chose to take his life
on Oct. 14 1944. As a Field Marshall in the
Wehrmacht, Erwin Rommel differed from other
generaAs a Field Marshall in the Wehrmacht, Erwin
Rommel differed from other generals by staying
close to the front and using surprising new
tactics to his advantage while treating POWS
with dignity. Erwin Rommel was born on Nov. 15
1891 to his parents Erwin and Helene Rommel.
Erwin entered military service in July 1910. As an
instructor, his teachings were collected into a
book called Infantry Attacks. He became a field
Marshall in June 1942 and led many successful
missions. On Oct. 14 1944 Rommel took
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