Erwin Rommel

Erwin Rommel (1891-1944), German field marshal, renowned for his African desert victories during World War II (1939-1945). Born in Heidenheim, he joined the German army in 1910. After winning awards for bravery in World War I (1914-1918), he taught in military academies. In the German push to the English Channel in 1940 Rommel headed the victorious 7th Tank Division. He was made a lieutenant general the following year and placed in command of the Afrika Korps in North Africa. He achieved a brilliant record as a tactician in desert warfare, driving the British from Libya to Al ‘Alamayn (El ‘Alamein) by June 1942; his victories earned him promotion to field marshal as well as the nickname the Desert Fox. Subsequent reverses forced him back to Tunis, and he returned home in March 1943 before the final surrender of the Afrika Korps. In 1944 he commanded the German armies charged with the defense of northern France. In July 1944 a group of conspirators attempted to assassinate German leader Adolf Hitler; at their trial, Rommel was implicated in the plot. Rommel received a message from Hitler giving him the choice of suicide or trial. He chose the former, and he was later buried with full military honors.