Erwin Rommel: The Desert Fox

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“The Desert Fox” Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel born November 15 1891 in Heidenheim, Germany was one of the greatest military generals Germany has ever seen possibly one of the greatest of the entire 19th century. He would later go on to command huge Nazi military campaigns across the globe with the rank of field marshall. Ever since he was a young boy Rommel was fascinated by how things worked and their efficiency this later proved useful when it came to military strategies and techniques he used during his service . By the age of fourteen Rommel had already built a hang glider with his peers, he also managed to take a part and put back together a brand new motorcycle. His plans for the future were to become an engineer considering his interest in mechanics and technology but took a change of course when he accepted his fathers wishes to join the military. At the age of 18 he joined the local 124th Württemberg Infantry Regiment as a Fähnrich, this was the start of his legendary military legacy. Two years later he completed officer school he graduated as a second lieutenant. When chaos in the north eastern hemisphere broke out with the Assassination of the archduke Fran Ferdinan. Germany along with most of the European countries entered the war because of their military alliances with one another in August 1914, which would later become the first world war ever fought in history. This is where Rommel found his reputation in battle as his battalion fought they lost a quarter their officers. Rommel was constantly moving to the front to lead the fight. In a battle with the french Rommel fired a shot downing two french men he quickly reloaded his weapon and went to take... ... middle of paper ... ...th a mock trial in the publics eye. This was because Rommel was well liked by the german population and hitler didn't want to accuse him of treason for fear of upsetting the nations moral. Hitler then sent two high ranking nazi officials to Rommel's house they gave him two options. The first option was to take poison most likely a cyanide capsule and commit suicide or the second was to be court marshaled then have his family sent to a concentration camp. That same afternoon he got into a car with the Nazi officials and drove off he was later reported dead that day. Soon after he was given a proper military funeral with magnificence decorations and all of his merits and awards buried with him. Many scholars say he was born way after his time and refer to him as “Germanys last knight” a man that belonged in the 16th century German empire not the evil third reich.

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