Erwin Rommel
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| The Third Reich |
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Erwin Johannes Eugen "Magnificent Bastard" Rommel (5 November 1891 – 14 October 1944), nicknamed the "Desert Fox," was one of the more, let's say interesting Nazis. A German Field Marshall in World War II, he commanded Panzer divisions in the North African Campaign (the Africa Korps). He was well-respected by his adversaries,[1] for reasons explained below.
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[edit] The anti-Nazi...Nazi?
Early records showed that Rommel had a close working relationship with Adolf Hitler in the beginning of the war, but soon came to the conclusion that the rest of the world had made. On numerous occasions he refused Hitler's orders to engage in war crimes against POWs, especially Jews; ironically, Hitler couldn't touch Rommel himself because he was responsible for turning the general into a Chuck Norris-esque meme in Nazi propaganda.[2] Rommel also held negative opinions toward his Italian allies, and his rebellious nature left him with many critics in the German military.
In 2011 there was considerable controversy over a German biopic that portrayed him as...just a usual Nazi. David Irving obviously enjoyed it.[3]
[edit] Conspiracy to kill Hitler
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It was later revealed in the Nuremberg Trials that Rommel was complicit in the attempt to assassinate Hitler in the July 20 plot. He was given the choice to be put on trial and have his family face the Sippenhaft[wp], or take a cyanide pill and his death be made a cover-up. Guess which one he took.
[edit] The offspring
His only son, Manfred, immediately deserted after his father's death and became a member of the French resistance.[4] After WWII, he was the mayor of Stuttgart, Baden-Württember for over 20 years (as a member of the CDU) and remains close friends with the Montgomery and Patton families. Rommel personally prevented his kid from joining the SS.
[edit] External links
- Rommel on Wikipedia
- Erwin Rommel, Jewish Virtual Library
[edit] Footnotes
- ↑ For example, this quote by Winston Churchill almost led to a censure vote in the House of Commons.
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ Rommel TV biopic stirs controversy
- ↑ D-Day memories: Rommel's defeat, BBC