Patton, sensing victory as he peers onto the battle field from his command post, growls, rommel, you magnificent bastard. David irving recalls something of the history of this book. In patton, montgomery, rommel, one of britains most accomplished military scholars presents an unprecedented study of the land war in the north african and european theaters, as well as their chief commandersthree men who also happened to be the most compelling dramatis personae of world war ii. During world war i he served as an infantry lieutenant with. This video takes a look at why erwin rommel often called the desert fox and probably one of the most famous panzer generals is so complicated due to the various interest groups and his complex.
For those who could care less about battlefield exploits, rommels book is an excellent example of honest selfcriticism. Infantry attacks by erwin rommel in chm, fb2, txt download ebook. Published in very limited numbers on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the death of generalfeldmarschall erwin rommel, this beautiful, understated 838 x 9 inch, 100 page heavily illustrated hardcover book is a perfect tribute to the nearperfect soldier perhaps the best germany had to offer in world war ii. His father, erwin rommel 186019 was a math teacher, and later a secondary school headmaster at aalen. Patton and erwin rommel were two tacticians that fought against each other during. Author pov rommels war without hate armchair general. Here is the classic biography of the man who masterminded this great turnabout, field marshal erwin rommel, commander of the german afrika korps. Rommel didnt have an extensive military background as a child. Rommel described his childhood in his memoir as passing quite happily1. I would say that they were both great generals, probably on par with each other as generals. Rommel is set in and around the normandy beachhead shortly after the dday invasion of june, 1944. It was common practice in the north africa campaign for machine gunners of both sides to hold their fire when enemy soldiers bailed out of shotup tanks. They did not believe rommel had sufficient command potential to even merit attending the german general staff college, which, much like the us armys command and general staff college, was usually a prerequisite for elevation to. Oct 30, 2007 knights cross a life of field marshal erwin rommel by david fraser harpercollins 1994 patton a genius for war by carlo deste harpercollins 1995.
The trail of the fox the search for the true field marshal rommel. If you love history, or biographies, or are just looking for a change of scenery as i was. What is considered the definitive book on erwin rommel. Wwii returns with an outstanding parallel biography of george patton and erwin rommel.
His service included an attachment to the artillery in order to broaden his military education. Field marshal erwin rommel, who commanded the axis forces for most of the campaign, wrote a book about his experiences there called krieg ohne hass war without hate. Erwin rommel, nicknamed the desert fox, is given the option of facing a public trial for treason, as a coconspirator in the plot to assassinate adolf hitler. Patton has just spent weeks studying the writing of his german adversary field. May 17, 2017 this video takes a look at why erwin rommel often called the desert fox and probably one of the most famous panzer generals is so complicated due to the various interest groups and his complex. Those in the best position to judge rommels competence were his colleagues in the wehrmacht. The book is structured as a set of tactical problems. Erwin rommel s most popular book is infantry attacks. But, while his fame and glory came as a general and field marshal, it was as a lieutenant in the first world war that he earned his greatest honor. At the time, rommel was fighting the british in egypt. Erwin rommel was undoubtedly one of the finest generals of the second world war, his strategic mind and patient approach led his men to victory after victory early in the war. The man who burned hitlers order to execute british raiders and who gave allied prisoners the same food and medical treatment as his german troops. Erwin rommel has 17 books on goodreads with 12364 ratings.
The book clearly takes its place in the school of the allies won the war, but the. In his own words by christopher ailsby, erwin rommel and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Patton and erwin rommel before, during and after wwi and wwii. He had carefully studied the early blitzkrieg campaigns against poland and france and shared the conviction of the wehrmacht commanders that that a war of movement short, sharp, and furious was the way to avoid a repetition of the endless. And while many history books focus the attention to hitler and allied presidents and country leaders, in reality, one of the biggest reasons for success or failure are the generals on the field. Erwin rommel simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
American, canadian and british forces are placed in the correct positions as the allied advance started to bog down. Til erwin rommels son, manfred rommel, became good. Rommel and his art of war was written by erwin rommel and the description says. Sent with a small german force to help the axis against the british.
Erwin johannes eugen rommel gained immortality in the north african campaign of 19411943. The book, patton and rommel men of war in the twentieth century by dennis e. As war clouds gathered over europe, rommel worked hard to become a competent junior officer. Knights cross a life of field marshal erwin rommel by david fraser harpercollins 1994 patton a genius for war by carlo deste harpercollins 1995. He entered the army in 1910 and rose slowly through the ranks. Rommel was born in heidenheim, germany, 45 kilometers 28 mi from ulm, in the kingdom of wurttemberg which was then part of the german empire, on november 15, 1891. Adolf hitler, erwin rommel, benito mussolini, george patton, joseph stalin world war 2 biographies book 1 ebook. Those in the best position to judge rommel s competence were his colleagues in the wehrmacht. Erwin rommels most popular book is infantry attacks. Field marshal erwin rommel exerted an almost hypnotic influence not only over his own troops but also over the allied soldiers of the eighth army in the second world war. Patton 35 movie clip rommel, you magnificent bastard 1970.
Erwin rommel was a great tactician, arguably the best one during the world war ii. Rommel brilliantly commanded an armored division in the attack 1940 on france. In his handwritten diary entries for march 1943, patton recorded his observations on several of his subordinate units and. Erwin rommel books list of books by author erwin rommel. This may be so, but at least this cannot be said of erwin rommel, who.
Oct 29, 2009 but its possible that patton had read this earlier work on infantry tactics, which the us army rediscovered and had translated into english in 1943. Aug 22, 2008 what is considered the definitive book on erwin rommel. Titled infantry attacks, it was about fighting the italian army during world war i. Appointed to command adolf hitlers personal security detail, rommel had nothing for contempt for the. Patton and field marshal erwin rommel were masters of. George patton, bernard law montgomery and erwin rommel. For those who enjoy military history, erwin rommels infantry attacks is wellwritten and sometimes inspiring book about a german officer who, despite fighting on the losing side, seemed to have won far more than he lost. They both won battles against overwhelming odds, but rommel couldnt win as much because of hindrances from hitler and an impossible mandate in places lik. Written directly after combat, rommel critiques his own battle strategies and tactics during world war i in an attempt to learn further from his losses and victories. Patton usa vs general erwin rommel nazi germany battle of the legendary generals, all rounds are with ww2 technology and given 1 week of prep beforehand except for chess.
The german forces of rommel are likewise in place defending caen and other cities. Patton 35 movie clip rommel, you magnificent bastard. Erwin rommel article about erwin rommel by the free dictionary. His father was the headmaster of a secondary school and very strict but fair. In patton, montgomery, rommel, one of britains most accomplished military scholars presents an unprecedented study of the land war in the north african and european theaters, as well as their chief commandersthree men who also happened. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by. Rommel was born on 15 november 1891, in southern germany at heidenheim, 45 kilometres 28 mi from ulm, in the kingdom of wurttemberg, then part of the german empire. But its possible that patton had read this earlier work on infantry tactics, which the us army rediscovered and had translated into english in 1943. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. And while many history books focus the attention to hitler and allied.
Looking for good patton andor rommel biography wwii forums. German general erwin rommelaka the desert foxdies by. Patton vs rommel archive straight dope message board. Patton and erwin rommel were two tacticians that fought against each other during some of the crucial battles during the world war ii. Til erwin rommels son, manfred rommel, became good friends with george pattons son, george patton iv.
I keep running across the idea in movies and books that patton and rommel were archnemeses like batman and the joker. But looking at the actual historical record, i have to question how this idea got started. List of books and articles about erwin rommel online. Dec 20, 2009 british military historian terry brighton has written a biographical triptych of george patton, bernard montgomery and erwin rommel, three of world war iis most colorful commanders. It is over twentyfive years since i wrote the trail of the fox, my famous rommel biography.
O f the allied world war ii generals, george patton may be considered the most german. Guderian was probably better than rommel as a tank general but rommel was an artist and writer and he dramatically died resisting hitler, making his final show in the theater of large wars. We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. Rommel is just one of the few german commanders that have received sympathetic treatment in biographies written by british officers. Like several other books, i wrote it for tom congdons then publishing house william morrow inc. In the film of the same name patton declares to have read the rommel book.
Erwin rommel, nicknamed the desert fox, is given the option of facing a public trial for treason, as a. British military historian terry brighton has written a biographical triptych of george patton, bernard montgomery and erwin rommel, three of world war iis most colorful commanders. Sep 23, 2015 infantry attacks by erwin rommel in chm, fb2, txt download ebook. During world war i he served as an infantry lieutenant with the german army in italy, romania and france. Erwin johannes rommel was born in 1891 and he joined the german army as a cadet in 1910. All content included on our site, such as text, images, digital downloads and other, is the property of its content suppliers and protected by us and international laws. Showalter, was a very in depth look at the lives of george s. Ii corps under lieutenant general george patton in southcentral tunisia. The trail of the fox the search for the true field marshal. British military historian terry brighton has written a biographical triptych of george patton, bernard montgomery and erwin rommel, three of. Jan 29, 2014 erwin rommel was born on november 15, 1891 in heidenheim, wurttemberg. The course there lasted for eight months, and in january 1912 lieutenant erwin rommel rejoined the 124th infantry. However, he was a lousy strategist, and that was his biggest weakness. Johannes erwin eugen rommel 15 november 1891 14 october 1944 was a german general and military theorist.
They did not believe rommel had sufficient command potential to even merit attending the german general staff college, which, much like the us armys command and general staff college, was usually a prerequisite for elevation to general officer, and rommel never. Although faragos patton and irvings trail of the fox are both still good to read despite being respectively superseded and discredited. Popularly known as the desert fox, he served as field marshal in the wehrmacht defense force of nazi germany during world war ii, as well as serving in the reichswehr of the weimar republic, and the army of imperial germany. His orders were to hold ground in the saharan desert until hitler conquers.
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