Erwin Rommel

Born: November 15, 1891, Kingdom of Wurrttemberg, Germany

Died: October 14, 1944, Herrlingen, Germany

Occupation, German army cadet, lieutenant, battalion commander, general, and field marshal

Erwin Rommel was a German soldier, general, and field marshal. Rommel joined the German army at the age of 19 and served in it his whole life. Rommel saw his first action at Meuse Valley on the Western Front. Erwin was part of the 124th Wurrtemburg infantry regiment. Here Rommel demonstrated his outstanding ability as a commander. This is because of many traits such as his courage and his natural leadership abilities. When his platoon was pinned down in France Rommel used strategy and stealth to beat a superior force. In World War 1 Rommel developed a great strategy. He used his machine guns as a support role.

Rommel was given his first permanent battalion command with Gebirgsbattalion, a Wurrtemburg Mountain combat unit. Rommel was shipped out to the Italian front. Rommel’s job was to move to the right of the bavarian lifeguard, eliminate a certain Italian battery, and move behind the bavarian lifeguards and up to the peak of Mt. Major. Rommel was given a set of three mountain divisions fittingly named “The Rommel Detachment” and ordered to follow the leading troops, and, after the river crossing and passing of the Italian first line, act as a Battalion advance guard. The German attack started on October 24th, which was preceded by great artillery preparation. At 2 in the morning, a thousand guns let loose their fury. The defining sound of artillery echoed through the Italian mountains. The Italian searchlights Looked through the rain in a futile attempt to spot the German attackers, Because an artillery bombardment will almost always lead to a ground assault. Just after dawn, The battalion advanced under heavy supporting fire, slid down the steep slopes, and crossed the Isonzo Without difficulty. Soon the German attackers pushed through the Italian first position and advanced up the steep track to the second slope. The advance Gaurd, ‘The Rommel Detachment’, climbed up the steep slopes. Rommel’s detachment ran into an Italian position. They opened fire, as any sensible soldiers would do. Rommel, being no idiot, knew this was the Italian second position. Erwin’s point section reported wire and entrenchments. Rommel figured that by going up a steep gully and leaving the primary assault path, he could find a more covered approach to the Italian second front. He set off, his troops following, and found a strong-wired enemy entrenchment that was silent as could be. Rommel saw a few Italians near his position who were unaware of the proximity of his force. Rommel found a hidden path, unused by the Italians, which looked as if it headed toward the Italians. Rommel sent an 8-man patrol to scout out the trail with orders to only fire if necessary. The rest of the Rommel Detachment set up, ready to open fire in case something bad befell the patrol. Soon a member of the payroll returned with news that they had taken seventeen Italians in a dugout and were inside the Italian position. They knew of no reaction. Rommel led the entire detachment through the path sending out flank protection parties. Within minutes he was within the Italian second line. He found a decent number of Italian troops. The Rommel Detachment started covering a thousand of yards in single file (which was not common for military units). The machine gunners carried over 90 pounds. soon he was moving into contact with the Bavarian Life Guards. At seven o’clock the Germans started pushing in on the Italian third position. Rommel was called to meet at the Bavarian Life Gaurd to discuss their terms of surrender.

The time between World War 1 and World War 2 was a very important time in Germany. This time led to the creation of the national socialist party which was led by a World War 1 Veteran named Adolf. During this time between wars, German soldiers were given the right to vote. A majority of soldiers supported the National socialist, or Nazi, party because they promised to revitalize the Reichswehr (which was limited to a grand total of 100,00 troops), build an airforce (also not allowed because of the treaty of Versailles), and militarize the Rhineland(demilitarized because of the treaty of Versailles). The Nazi party was brought to power by Adolf’s debating skills. The Nazi party also had many downfalls, for example, Adolf formed the Gestapo. They would “remove” political oponetsIf you want to learn more about the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party you can watch Oversimplified’s youtube video on this. After Adolf was elected in 1932 he started on his plan to revitalize the Reichswehr. On the 1st of September, 1938. Hitler invaded Poland and started World War 2.

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