The Desert Fox & North African War

Birth and Parents Erwin Rommel was born on November 15, 1891 in Heidenheim, Germany. Erwin Rommel was born on November 15, 1891 in Heidenheim, Germany. His father, Erwin, was a headmaster at a secondary school His father, Erwin, was a headmaster at a secondary school His mother, Helene, was the daughter of a local wealthy family His mother, Helene, was the daughter of a local wealthy family

WW1 When World War 1 started, Rommel joined the Alpen Korps. When World War 1 started, Rommel joined the Alpen Korps. He fought on the front lines of numerous campaigns in France, Italy, and Romania. During battle, he was wounded on three occasions, but continued to fight valiantly. He fought on the front lines of numerous campaigns in France, Italy, and Romania. During battle, he was wounded on three occasions, but continued to fight valiantly. One of his most successful battles was the Battle of Longarone, where he and other soldiers captured Mount Matajur and over 7000 Italian soldiers. One of his most successful battles was the Battle of Longarone, where he and other soldiers captured Mount Matajur and over 7000 Italian soldiers.

Interwar Years After the war ended, he was awarded the Iron Cross and the Pour le Merite, Prussia's highest commendation for military service. After the war ended, he was awarded the Iron Cross and the Pour le Merite, Prussia's highest commendation for military service. Worked as teacher at war school until he wrote a book and Hitler hired him. Worked as teacher at war school until he wrote a book and Hitler hired him. Began to lead hitleryouth in 1937 Began to lead hitleryouth in 1937

Spoils of War In 1937 Hitler appointed Rommel head of his personal bodyguard. In 1937 Hitler appointed Rommel head of his personal bodyguard. Rommel became one of Hitler’s favorite soldiers Rommel became one of Hitler’s favorite soldiers Rommel made friends with joseph Goebbels who created propoganda about his military exploits. Rommel made friends with joseph Goebbels who created propoganda about his military exploits.

Beginnings in WWII Rommel commanded the 7 th panzer division in france until Italian forces started losing to North Africans Rommel commanded the 7 th panzer division in france until Italian forces started losing to North Africans Hitler made Rommel commander of the Deutsches Afrikakorps (African army of Germany) Hitler made Rommel commander of the Deutsches Afrikakorps (African army of Germany)

North African War In North Africa Rommel proceeded to attack british forces driving them back to the port town of Tobruk In North Africa Rommel proceeded to attack british forces driving them back to the port town of Tobruk German Chief of Staff thought Rommel had “gone stark mad”. German Chief of Staff thought Rommel had “gone stark mad”. Rommel was forced to retreat and resupply Rommel was forced to retreat and resupply He advanced again destroying the British Forces He advanced again destroying the British Forces

North African War Cont… He was stopped at the town of Alam Halfa where Rommel was forced on the defensive He was stopped at the town of Alam Halfa where Rommel was forced on the defensive Rommel retreated to tunisia and soon after left Africa for health reasons. Rommel retreated to tunisia and soon after left Africa for health reasons.

Normandy Returning to Germany, Rommel coordinated defensive efforts on the allied landing. Returning to Germany, Rommel coordinated defensive efforts on the allied landing. He originally thought Normandy would be the target, however changed his mind to Calais. He originally thought Normandy would be the target, however changed his mind to Calais. Badly wounded after the battle of Normandy when his staff car was sprayed by an allied aircraft. Badly wounded after the battle of Normandy when his staff car was sprayed by an allied aircraft.

July 20 th Plot Rommel was approached by a few friends in 1944 who asked him to help them assassinate Hitler Rommel was approached by a few friends in 1944 who asked him to help them assassinate Hitler Rommel agreed Rommel agreed Their attempt failed and Hitler forced Rommel to kill himself in exchange for his families lives. Their attempt failed and Hitler forced Rommel to kill himself in exchange for his families lives. Didn’t reveal the plot to the public. Didn’t reveal the plot to the public.

ommel.htm ommel.htm ommel.htm ommel.htm graphy/Rommel.html graphy/Rommel.html graphy/Rommel.html graphy/Rommel.html erwin-rommel-biography html erwin-rommel-biography html erwin-rommel-biography html erwin-rommel-biography html mmel.htm mmel.htm