Field Marshal Erwin Rommel Character Description

EKS PANGLIMA SILAM

GENERAL ERWIN ‘THE DESERT FOX’ ROMMEL

“Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common

Purpose and the character which inspires confidence. ”

Quotes from Montgomery’s writings

INTRODUCTION

1. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was one of German 's most popular generals during World War II, who gained respect from both enemies and friends for many of his victories, including his exploits as commander of the AfrikaKorps and leading a tank division in the 1940 blitzkrieg of France. Despite being forced to commit suicide on October 14, 1944, due to the accusation of participating in a failed plot to kill Adolf Hitler, Rommel remains known as a general with a solid character.

BACKGROUND

2. Erwin Rommel was born on November 15, 1891 in Heidenheim, Germany. He was known as their Wüstenfuchs (Desert Fox) and "The People 's Marshal". Despite his bold battlefield tactics, Rommel did not come from not much military background. All the males in his family left the military after their mandatory service period, and never returned. Initially, he wanted to be an engineer, but his father, who was the headmaster of a school, urged him to consider the military instead. His applications were met with rejections by the artillery and

Courage & Responsibility – according to Clausewitz, there are two types of courage: "courage in the face of personal danger, and courage to accept responsibility...”. Rommel was well-known to be a person who would be at the front of his team. Not only that, he also coached his men to do the same. More importantly, he led by example; "Be an example to your men, in your duty and in private life. Never spare yourself, and let the troops see that you don 't in your endurance of fatigue and privation. Always be tactful and well-mannered and teach your subordinates to do the same. Avoid excessive sharpness or harshness of voice, which usually indicates the man who has