Erwin Rommel

I was born in Heidenheim, Germany. I was the second of three sons from a protastent headmaster.  I joined the 124th Würtemburg Infantry Regimnet as an officer cadet and was commissioned as a lieutenant in 1912.  I married Lucia Maria Mollin on November 27, 1916 in Danzig, and on December 24, 1928 had a son Manfred.

I served during World War 1 in France, Italy and Romania, as a member as the 6th Würtemburg Infantry Regimnet, and gained a reputation for making quick tactical decisions and taking advantage of the enemy confusion.  I was awarded several medals during this war for various reasons including Prussias' Highest medal.

By 1938, I was promoted to Kommandent (commander) of the War Academy at Wiener Neustadt. I continued as a commander during the Polish campaign, and was given command of the 7. Panzer Division in 1940.7. Panzer-Division was later nicknamed Gespenster-Division (the "Ghost Division"), due to the speed and surprise it was consistently able to achieve. It moved so quickly that even the German High Command at times lost track of where it was. It also set the record for the longest thrust in one day by tanks up to that point, covering nearly 200 miles (320 km).

The reward for my success was to be promoted and appointed commander of the 5th Light Division (later reorganized and redesignated 21.Panzer-Division) and of the 15.Panzer-Division. Named the Deutsches Afrikakorpswere, it was sent to Libya in early 1941, during Operation Sonnenblume, to aid the demoralised Italian troops which had suffered a heavy defeat from British Commonwealth forces in Operation Compass. It was in Africa where I achieved my greatest fame as a commander. My campaign in North Africa earned me the nickname of "The Desert Fox".

In late October, 1942, the war in Northern Africa turned ill. Due to lack of supplies and reinforcements, battle became very costly. I received the infamous "victory or death" stand fast order from Hitler. Although this order demanded the impossible and virtually ensured the destruction of Panzer Army Africa, I could not bring myself to disobey a direct order from the Führer. The Axis forces held on desperately.  The Italian XX Motorized Corps was surrounded, and several hours later was completely destroyed. At this point I could no longer uphold the "no retreat" order and ordered a general retreat.  Soon I received authorization by Hitler to withdraw, 12 hours after my decision to do so—but it was far too late.  Most of my unmotorized forces (the bulk of the army) were caught. We retreated to Tunisia.

On February 23, 1943, Armeegruppe Afrika was created with me in command. It included the Italo-German Panzer Army under Messe (renamed 1st Italian Army) and the German 5th Panzer Army in the north of Tunisia under General Hans-Jürgen von Arnim.  On March 9th, I handed over command of Armeegruppe Afrika to General Hans-Jürgen von Arnim and left Africa, because of health reasons, never to return.

This is the end for me.  My name was found on a list of figures to be brought into a post-Hitler government as a possible future President of Germany. Soon I was aproached at my home by Wilhelm Burgdorf and Ernst Maisel, who said I could face the People's Court and potential persecution of my family and the arrest of my staff.  Or, I could choose to commit suicide quietly.   Although I know of the existence of the plot against Hitlers life, I was not invloved.  I believe that suicide is the best option for my family.  So I must go now and explain to them my decision....

MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/??

My Mood: =/

My Hobbies: Building life-size models of airplanes

My Interests: As a child I considered becoming an engineer.

My Heroes: Fredrich the Great

My Favorite Saying: "Never give up, never surrender!"

Me on the Web: www.wikipedia.org

Webmaster: Daniel House

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