Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

[Spannerman]

How do you rate this guy?

As a tactician I think he was the bees knees, I always thought of Rommel as being 'one of the guys'. We once had a C-in-C FEAF in charge of us Air Marshal 'Paddy' Bandon nicknamed the Abandoned Earl 27th in line to the throne, what a guy, everyone had the greatest respect for him just like Rommel.

I wonder how he (Rommel) would have fared in the British Army Mein Gotten Himmel?

[Sticky Blue]

You can't teach leadership and Erwin had it by the cart load. His men respected him and would, and did, follow him wherever he led them. I read a lot on him as a youngster in the 'War Illustrated' collections from during the war. Feared by the Tommy and respected as well. How he would have fared in the British Army... I suppose it would have depended on who daddy was and what tie he wore.

[Spannerman]

Yes Stix but he was his own man and unfortunately for him, spoke his mind

[Tab]

He was a fine leader and lead from the front, in 1940 he was wounded and his 2i/c was killed beside him when Montgomery lead a counter attack against his forces in France. For a while it was touch and go just would happen, the German tanks found that they could not knock out the British built Maltida Tanks due to their heavy armour, but like most of the second world war the British tanks were under gunned and could not touch the German tanks, in the finish the Germans went for the tracks of the British Tanks and stopped Monties counter attack but this did delay the German attack on Dunkirk.
When Rommel was in the Western desert he used the same plan every time till he hit El-Alamien and could sweep around the British Forces. By now Hitler was sending all his best forces and supplies into Russia and Rommel had little to work with, his troops were very loyal to him, but the end in Africa was a certainty from 1942.
In France his work on the Atlantic wall was first class and had his plans been followed the D Day landings would have been far more costly than they turned out to be, he was over ridden not only by Hitler, but by other German Generals who disagreed with is ideas.
Rommel was of the old school and was a Gentleman and a soldier and of all the battles fought in WW2 I do not recall and claims wrong doing by the soldiers under his command, they fought hard and fought well and the prisoners were well treated, and there were very fronts that could say that.

[Ardennes44]

He wasn`t called "The Desert Fox" for nothing. He truly was a Gentleman Warrior, held in high regard by all except Hitler and his goons. They were afraid of his competence, and couldn`t understand the fact that he had ethics.

[Whitey]

Right Ardennes, it is one thing to win, but it is victory to win with honor.

[Guest]

I believe Tom Paine and Erwin Rommel could have eaten beer together and been comrades. Think on that one, ya Reb! i kinda figure you and I could too, although I think Lincoln would'a fit in too...

[Whitey]

Hercky we shall eat beer together, but not with Lincoln. Not all of the Yankee is bad. I've known many good copperheads.
And when I lose my temper on this subject, don't let it make you angry.

I read about what we were and I look at what we are now, and I am not looking forward with any excitement. I'd rather not be ruled by central bankers, political agenda's and corporations.

But no matter our disagrement on the issue, we can eat beer alright. Hope you like whiskey from a jar.

[ELP]

Rommel was a great guy. For the Germans in WWII, I really like v. Manstein. His Book "Lost Victories" is a must read.

[Guest]

Hercky we shall eat beer together, but not with Lincoln. Not all of the Yankee is bad. I've known many good copperheads.
And when I lose my temper on this subject, don't let it make you angry.

I read about what we were and I look at what we are now, and I am not looking forward with any excitement. I'd rather not be ruled by central bankers, political agenda's and corporations.

But no matter our disagrement on the issue, we can eat beer alright. Hope you like whiskey from a jar.

if it is alcohol,we're a friendship made in heaven... uhh, as long as it doesn't make me go blinder'n I am now... then I couldn't fly and afford all this hi-tech stuff like 'eelek-tri-sitty'...which I use to keep my liquid bread cold.

[Ardennes44]

More on the Field Marshall....

"His devotion to the profession of arms was in the best tradition of the gentleman. In a total war fought savagely and brutally, he inspired admiration for his treatment of prisoners. He was not tainted by Nazism....With his troops he enjoyed a deep rapport. He cared for them, and although he demanded their best and more, he never squandered them. Without pretension, modest, he tackled all his tasks with clarity, energy, and common sense."

[RomanItaly]

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.

[Guest]

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.

[RomanItaly]

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.

[El Prez]

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.