Erwin Rommel

Erwin Rommel (1891-1944), German field marshal, renowned for his African desert victories during World War II. Born in Heidenheim, he joined the German army in 1910. After winning awards for bravery in World War I, he taught in military academies. In the German push to the English Channel in 1940 Rommel headed the victorious 7th Tank Division. He was made a lieutenant general the following year and placed in command of the Afrika Korps in North Africa. He achieved a brilliant record as a tactician in desert warfare, driving the British from Libya to El ’Alamein by June 1942; his victories earned him promotion to field marshal as well as the nickname of the Desert Fox. Subsequent reverses forced him back to Tunis, and he returned home in March 1943 before the final surrender of the Afrika Korps. In 1944 he commanded the German armies charged with the defence of northern France. Accused of complicity in the attempt on Hitler's life in July 1944, he chose to take poison rather than stand trial.