The Great War of Erwin Rommel

Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel was born on November 15, 1891 in Heidenheim near Ulm. He was the second child of four children in the family. His father, Erwin, was a schoolmaster before he became headmaster. His mother, Helene, was the daughter of a high-ranking official.

Initially, Rommel wanted to become an aircraft engineer, but on July 19, 1910, he joined the army. He was a lieutenant when the First World War broke out and was deployed on the Western Front in Belgium and Northern France.

A military highlight of the war was the fact that Rommel was awarded the coveted Pour Le Mérite, the highest Prussian decoration. This award, which he had to fight through a complaint, provoked a lot of jealousy among his colleagues. On October 18, 1918, Rommel was promoted to captain.

After the war, Rommel became a teacher at the infantry schools in Dresden and Potsdam. His inspiring personality made him a popular teacher. In 1937 his book Infanterie greift an (Infantery Attacks) was published, in which he described his experiences in the First World War. This book became a great success.

Rommel's motives for writing this book are mentioned in the preface: "First, this book describes numerous World War I battles which I experienced as an infantry officer. Remarks are appended to many descriptions in order to extract worthwhile lessons from the particular operation.

Second, made directly after combat, will show German youth capable of bearing arms, the unbounded spirit of self-sacrifice and courage with which the German soldier, especially the infantryman, fought for Germany during the four-and-a-half-year war.

Finally, this book should make a contribution towards perpetuating those experiences of the bitter war years; experiences often gained at the cost of great deprivations and bitter sacrifice."

In the regimental barracks where Erwin Rommel stayed, the soldiers were ready for battle:

“Just as we fell out, the mobilization order came. Now the decision had been made. The shout of German youths eager for battle rang through the ancient gray cloister buildings.”

?In Germany, the soldiers were enthusiastically greeted by civilians:

“The trip tot the front on August 5, through the beautiful valleys and dells of our native land and amid the cheers of our people, was indescribably beautiful. The troops sang and at every stop were showered with fruit, chocolate, and rolls.”

In the French town of Thionville (Diedenhofen in German) the situation was completely different:

“We marched through Diedenhofen to Ruxweiler. Diedenhofen was not a pretty sight with its dirty streets, houses, and taciturn people. It seemed so different from my home in Swabia.”

From the beginning of the war it became clear that rain was a faithful companion of the soldiers:

“At nightfall a torrential downpour set in. Soon there was not a dry stitch of clothing on our bodies, and the water-soaked packs began to weigh heavily.”

From the first fight it also became clear that death was always near:

“In its first fight the regiment had lost twenty-five percent of its officers and fifteen percent of its men in dead, wounded, and missing. I was deeply grieved to learn that two of my best friends had been killed.”

In Bleid, Rommel was confronted with the terrible consequences of the violence of war:

“Bleid presented a terrible sight. Among the smoking ruins lay dead soldiers, civilians, and animals.”

The soldiers' housing was often poor:?

“ We bivouacked in the open. No straw could be found, and our men were much too tired to search for it. The damp, cold ground kept us from getting a refreshing sleep.”

The fate of helpless wounded soldiers was not to be envied:

“We heard the voices of wounded men on all sides now. One called in a heart-breaking way for his mother. Another prayed. Others were crying with pain.”

The wounded soldiers who could be helped were lucky:

“It was terrible to listen to suffering and dying men. We helped friend and foe without distinction, gave them our last piece of bread and our last drop of water.”

In Mont, Rommel observed devastation and animal suffering:

“Exhausted and hungry we reached Mont shortly before midnight. The village had suffered heavily, with several houses totally demolished by the bombardment. Dead horses were lying in the narrow streets.”

Physical exertion and lack of sleep exhausted the soldiers:

“We got little sleep (...) I tried to catch up on some lost sleep while lying in the roadside ditch.”

The trenches of the Germans were often better and more comfortable than those of their enemies:

“Our recent experiences indicated but one way of keeping casualties down – the deep trench.”

Mobile kitchens and mail were important for the morale of the German soldiers:

“The men were completely exhausted. First they must be fed and get some rest. The kitchens arrived, the men were given food, and mail was distributed. In the narrow trench and by candlelight the men read letters which had been mailed from home weeks before. The letters came from another world.”

Cynical humor kept the soldiers going:

“The evening was a repetition of the previous day. The French artillery ‘kissed us goodnight’ by firing enormous quantities of ammunition.”

Mud and soaked clothes. Every soldier, including Erwin Rommel, was confronted with it:

“We were literally covered from head to foot with a thick coat of sticky clay and were miserably cold in our wet clothes.”

War was not a heroic adventure, but suffering:

“A few months ago we would have laughed had we been told that this kind of miserable existence was even possible.”

The war was also a degrading affair:

“Many French dead still lay in front of and between our positions, but we could not bury them because of the strong enemy fire.”

Soldiers were sometimes killed by friendly fire:

“During the attack five men in one of the assault teams were put out of action, by an improperly thrown grenade.”

Supplying soldiers was a major challenge:

“Supplies of all classes were our next problem.”

During the Second World War, Rommel was confronted with this challenge again. Another challenge for Rommel were the battles in the mountains:

“It began to rain as we started to climb without the benefit of a guide. The rain grew heavier as night began to fall and it was soon pitch black. The cold rain turned into a cloudburst and soaked us to the skin. Further progress on the steep and rocky slope was impossible, and we bevouacked on either slide of the mule path at an altitude of about 4950 feet.”

Rommel achieved his greatest military success at the end of October 1917:

“At 11:40 on October 26, 1917, three green and one white flare announced that the Matajur massif had fallen. I ordered a one hour rest on the summit. It was well deserved.”

Rommel was rewarded with Pour Le Mérite for his part in the victory, although this was preceded by an internal discussion. The German defeat followed a year later. Rommel concluded his book by pointing out the German sacrifices:

“In the east, west, and south are to be found the last resting places of those German soldiers who, for home and country, followed the path of duty to the bitter end. They are a constant reminder to us who remain behind and to our future generations that we must not fail them when it becomes a question of making sacrifices for Germany.”

During the First World War, Erwin Rommel proved to be an excellent and brave soldier. That reputation was reaffirmed during the Second World War. During this war Erwin Rommel was promoted to field marshal. The 'desert fox' died dramatically on October 14, 1944.

Literature: Erwin Rommel (1979) Infantry Attacks, Athena Press: Provo.