ERWIN ERWIN ROMMELROMMEL (1891-1944) (1891-1944) Rommels Life StoryRommels Style As Military CommanderRommels Defects Of CharacterRommel was born on 15 November 1891 in Heidenheim.His father was a Protestant headmaster of the secondary school，and his mother was the daughter of a local officer. He had a happy childhood. Rommel wrote that “my early years passed quite happily.“Rommels Life StoryWhen he was 18 years old, he acceded to his fathers wishes and joined the local 124th Wrttemberg Infantry Regiment as a ensign, in 1910, studying at the Officer Cadet School in Danzig. He graduated on 15 November 1911 and was commissioned as a lieutenant in January 1912. Rommel participated in the world war I ,and gained a reputation for great courage, making quick tactical decisions and taking advantage of enemy confusion.Rommels Life StoryAfter World War I , he was an instructor at the Dresden Infantry School from 1929 to 1933. During this period , he wrote a book Infantry Attack , which was summarized based on his own experience during World War I .Later, this book was appreciated by Adolf Hitler, and therefore Rommel got a chance to get in touch with Hitler. He gradually achieved Hitlers trust, and was appointed as commander of Adolf Hitlers personal protection battalion. Rommels Life StoryOn 6 February 1940, three months before the invasion of France, Rommel was given command of the 7th Panzer Division. And Rommel had, however, emphasized the use of mobile infantry and recognized the great usefulness of armoured forces in the campaign. In May, 1940, his 7th Panzer Division became known as the “Ghost Division“ because its rapid advances and fast paced attacks His talent in commanding the armoured forces started emerging. Rommels Life StoryRommels reward for his success was to be promoted and appointed commander of the 5th Light Division and of the 15.Panzer- Division which, as the Ditches Afrikakorps were sent to Libya in early 1941 in Operation Sonnenblume to aid the demoralized Italian troops which had suffered a heavy defeat from British Commonwealth forces in Operation Compass. It was in Africa where Rommel achieved his greatest fame as a commander. His campaign in North Africa earned Rommel the nickname “The Desert Fox.“ Rommels Life StoryIn the North Africa Campaign, his tactics in using armoured forces, which based on the high mobility of tanks, successfully beat the British Commonwealth in the disadvantage of forces number and the lack of Air Forces cover.May,1942,Rommel defeat the strong adversary in the Tank Campaign in Bir Hakeim, and more than 33,000 defenders, including most of the South African 2nd Division, were captured. Hitler made Rommel the youngest Field Marshal for this great victory.Rommels Life StoryLater, because the campaign line was too long and the problems of logistics was getting worse, Rommel and his tired Afrikakorps were defeated by Montgomerys British Army in the Operation Alamein. During 12,1943 to 7,1944,he commanded the German forces opposing the Allied cross- channel invasion in Normandy.Rommels Life StoryJuly 20, 1944,Rommel was linked to the conspiracy to kill Adolf Hitler. Because Rommel was widely renowned, Hitler chose to eliminate him quietly. Rommel agreed to commit suicide by taking a cyanide pill, in return for assurances his family would be spared.Rommels Life StoryRommel is considered as a skilled commander of Armoured Forces. He emphasized the mobility and the flexibility when using armoured forces. His bold attacks often caused larger enemy formations to surrender. When attacking, he commanded the attack group to detour to the behind of the enemy, in order to destroy the enemys system of defense. When defending, he used armoured forces as reserves to defeat enemys attack. As a commander, he used to giving his orders in the very front. He was strict with his subordinates and advocated the spirit of brave and therefore won great reputation among the soldiers. Rommels Style As Military CommanderThe Afrikakorps were never accused of any war crime after the World War II, numerous examples exist of Rommels chivalry towards Allied POWs, such as his defiance of Hitlers infamous Commando Order following the capture of Lt. Roy Woodridge and Lt. George Lane as part of Operation Fortitude. He also refused to comply with Hitlers order to execute Jewish POWs.Rommels Style As Military CommanderRommel was successful as a military commander, but this cannot deny the defects in his military life. Firstly, he disobeyed his superiors for many times, although he wasnt punished because of the supports of Hitler, this made him lost friends. Secondly, he was so strict with his subordinates that its hard to get along with. He had little patience for sub-commanders who did not do their jobs properly, and it was bound to create a feeling of resentment among som