The Desert Fox & The Desert Fox & North African North African

WarWar

Birth and ParentsBirth and Parents Erwin Rommel was born on Erwin Rommel was born on

November 15, 1891 in Heidenheim, November 15, 1891 in Heidenheim, Germany. Germany.

His father, Erwin, was a headmaster His father, Erwin, was a headmaster at a secondary school at a secondary school

His mother, Helene, was the His mother, Helene, was the daughter of a local wealthy familydaughter of a local wealthy family

WW1WW1 When World War 1 started, Rommel joined When World War 1 started, Rommel joined

the Alpen Korps. the Alpen Korps. He fought on the front lines of numerous He fought on the front lines of numerous

campaigns in France, Italy, and Romania. campaigns in France, Italy, and Romania. During battle, he was wounded on three During battle, he was wounded on three occasions, but continued to fight valiantly. occasions, but continued to fight valiantly.

One of his most successful battles was the One of his most successful battles was the Battle of Longarone, where he and other Battle of Longarone, where he and other soldiers captured Mount Matajur and over soldiers captured Mount Matajur and over 7000 Italian soldiers.7000 Italian soldiers.

Interwar YearsInterwar Years After the war ended, he was After the war ended, he was

awarded the Iron Cross and the Pour awarded the Iron Cross and the Pour le Merite, Prussia's highest le Merite, Prussia's highest commendation for military service. commendation for military service.

Worked as teacher at war school Worked as teacher at war school until he wrote a book and Hitler until he wrote a book and Hitler hired him.hired him.

Began to lead hitleryouth in 1937Began to lead hitleryouth in 1937

Spoils of WarSpoils of War In 1937 Hitler appointed Rommel In 1937 Hitler appointed Rommel

head of his personal bodyguard.head of his personal bodyguard. Rommel became one of Hitler’s Rommel became one of Hitler’s

favorite soldiersfavorite soldiers Rommel made friends with joseph Rommel made friends with joseph

Goebbels who created propoganda Goebbels who created propoganda about his military exploits.about his military exploits.

Beginnings in WWIIBeginnings in WWII Rommel commanded the 7Rommel commanded the 7thth panzer panzer

division in france until Italian forces division in france until Italian forces started losing to North Africansstarted losing to North Africans

Hitler made Rommel commander of Hitler made Rommel commander of the the Deutsches AfrikakorpsDeutsches Afrikakorps (African (African army of Germany)army of Germany)

North African WarNorth African War In North Africa Rommel proceeded to In North Africa Rommel proceeded to

attack british forces driving them back attack british forces driving them back to the port town of Tobrukto the port town of Tobruk

German Chief of Staff thought Rommel German Chief of Staff thought Rommel had “gone stark mad”.had “gone stark mad”.

Rommel was forced to retreat and Rommel was forced to retreat and resupplyresupply

He advanced again destroying the He advanced again destroying the British ForcesBritish Forces

North African War Cont…North African War Cont… He was stopped at the town of Alam He was stopped at the town of Alam

Halfa where Rommel was forced on Halfa where Rommel was forced on the defensivethe defensive

Rommel retreated to tunisia and Rommel retreated to tunisia and soon after left Africa for health soon after left Africa for health reasons.reasons.

NormandyNormandy Returning to Germany, Rommel Returning to Germany, Rommel

coordinated defensive efforts on the coordinated defensive efforts on the allied landing.allied landing.

He originally thought Normandy He originally thought Normandy would be the target, however changed would be the target, however changed his mind to Calais.his mind to Calais.

Badly wounded after the battle of Badly wounded after the battle of Normandy when his staff car was Normandy when his staff car was sprayed by an allied aircraft.sprayed by an allied aircraft.

July 20July 20thth Plot Plot Rommel was approached by a few Rommel was approached by a few

friends in 1944 who asked him to friends in 1944 who asked him to help them assassinate Hitlerhelp them assassinate Hitler

Rommel agreedRommel agreed Their attempt failed and Hitler Their attempt failed and Hitler

forced Rommel to kill himself in forced Rommel to kill himself in exchange for his families lives.exchange for his families lives.

Didn’t reveal the plot to the public.Didn’t reveal the plot to the public.

http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/1http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/1900s/p/rommel.htm900s/p/rommel.htm

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jhttp://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Rommel.htmlsource/biography/Rommel.html

http://www.essortment.com/field-mahttp://www.essortment.com/field-marshal-erwin-rommel-biography-2064rshal-erwin-rommel-biography-20645.html5.html

http://www.euronet.nl/users/http://www.euronet.nl/users/wilfried/ww2/rommel.htmwilfried/ww2/rommel.htm