Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

[Guest]

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[Ardennes44]

Italians driving tanks, eh? Somehow that conjures visions of men tooting their horns, gesturing wildly, preventing other vehicles from cutting into their lane, making love, smacking the children in the backseat, and eating a sandwich the size of a baseball bat, often all at once. When they notice you is in the rearview mirror as someone lying in the road behind them. The only thing they`ll never hit is a nun.

[Guest]

it doesn't mean that you should attack Italy.

Why not, I love watching tanks in third reverse gear accelerating away.
Before you ask, yes I have played with Italian tankies, and yes they do go home at night and come out to play the next day.

Yeah, those Bugatti-made tanks have the gearboxes installed backwards... thus the three gears in reverse... they're fast!!! I was impressed! But then that's not necessarily very impressive, cause I'm only a pilot.... I got wings and have to have a machine to do my work for me...

[Ardennes44]

Here is a small example which clearly shows the difference between German and Italian mentalities. On a German train, every window bears a label instructing you NOT to lean out the window. On an Italian train, the label merely suggests that it might not be a good idea.
But then again, Italy is a beautiful country shrouded by the haze of Byronic glory and they make great I'M A SCAMMER SPAMMER!!! gadgets.

[Guest]

Here is a small example which clearly shows the difference between German and Italian mentalities. On a German train, every window bears a label instructing you NOT to lean out the window. On an Italian train, the label merely suggests that it might not be a good idea.
But then again, Italy is a beautiful country shrouded by the haze of Byronic glory and they make great I'M A SCAMMER SPAMMER!!! gadgets.

Yeah, and they got CLINT EASTWOOD started..... but they're not much for making good beer...

[Ardennes44]

Still, Herk, I respect the Field Marshall, but I`m not about to wave my beer stein and sing "The Horst Wessel Lied" for all I`m worth. I`ll choose a fine plate of spaghetti over Schweinensnout mit Spittle und Grit, und Oder Grosser Stuff anyday.

[ELP]

I don't like Rommel, he's way overrated for me. He consistantly ignored his Italian superiors, who, believe it or not, knew more than he did. He constantly begged Hitler to get his way.

The shortest military book in the world is the one of Italian WWII heros.

[ELP]

I don't like Rommel, he's way overrated for me. He consistantly ignored his Italian superiors, who, believe it or not, knew more than he did. He constantly begged Hitler to get his way.

ummm... 'italian superiors'...=== oxymoron.

Haha, you're so not funny!! Just because you're ignorant of World War II (and the British government has thrown tons of propaganda which is still yet to be resolved), it doesn't mean that you should attack Italy.

Italy is a great country. I'm not attacking it either. Unfortunately, their record in the Africa campaign leaves a lot to be desired. About 130,000 plus prisoners taken by the Brits December 1940. Pretty bad. Albania and Greece a few months later wasn't all that great. Etc. etc.

[Guest]

Here is a small example which clearly shows the difference between German and Italian mentalities. On a German train, every window bears a label instructing you NOT to lean out the window. On an Italian train, the label merely suggests that it might not be a good idea.
But then again, Italy is a beautiful country shrouded by the haze of Byronic glory and they make great I'M A SCAMMER SPAMMER!!! gadgets.

Do you know, I always wondered what that,"Pericolo por su jezzi etc" stuff was... I wondered if it was an advert for toothpaste, but wasn't sure... . I guess if somethin hit ya in the face at 47 miles/hr, maybe you wouldn't be smiling...

[El Prez]

It seems that while hammering along in reverse they were able to see some pretty weird sights!

http://www.ufo.it/english/main.htm

[Ardennes44]

Mussolini y platillos voladores!!!!! Way to go Monsieur le President Directeur General!!!

[buford]

Wasn't Rommel absent at his wife's birthday party at the time of the D-Day landings? (a bit like A.P Hill and JEB Stuart were off having a fish dinner when Grant finally broke through the lines at Petersburg).

I wonder if there is a book in that.... "commanders absent from the lines at crucial times in the battle"....

[Ardennes44]

Yes he was. Never saw so many fireworks for a birthday (and all those guests!!!)

[Redhand]

Screw the wops.

Reading Irving's account of 'The Desert Fox' which is highly critical yet highly complimentary, i have alot of respect for Rommel. Though, it appears he was a bit of a fanatic nazi unlike most of the other army staff, who loathed Hitler.

I think the US armed forces could use a Rommel. All they seem to get is showboats and desk jockeys.

I'm not wise to the British situation regarding officer staff...but i imagine its not alot better...correct me if im wrong.