Field marshall erwin rommel was everything that is wanted in a general. Desert fox will have you enthralled, taken back, and mesmerized as you delve. Leadership lessons from the desert fox, that praised rommels skill on the battlefield, arguing that his command style provided valuable lessons for the gulf wars of 1991 and 2003, as well as the u. He was in charge of the afrika korps and he was an excellent tactician, perhaps it came from fox cunning. Nov 10, 20 manfred rommel, who has died aged 84, was the only son of the desert fox erwin rommel and a witness to german commanders last moments.
In the film biography, the desert fox all these characteristics are depicted with sparing details about his involvement in a plot to kill hitler and his own demise. The impact that rommel made on the world with the sword will be deepened by his power with the pen. While rommel has been portrayed onscreen in a number of war films, the first and most extensive depiction of who is widely considered germanys greatest general of wwii came in 1951, only seven years after his death, in the form of henry hathaways the desert fox. Like several other books, i wrote it for tom congdons then publishing house william morrow inc. This is not to say the book, like rommel, does not have its flaws. The newsreel footage of course doesnt look as good as the rest of the photography, which is so crisp we can see the extensive use of matte paintings this is actually very tightlybudgeted for a big studio title. I found this just as riveting and enjoyable as when i read it decades ago, so maybe i should give this 5 stars. Rommel is a widely recognized hame in modern history, and even here in the united states, a couple of days is spent discussing his african campaigns as the desert fox. His book infantry attacks, however, which detailed his extraordinary feats of bravery in world war one, caught hitlers attention. Jul 20, 2017 in 2008, for example, military historian charles messenger published a biography, rommel. Today we will cover the characteristics of desert fox.
The desert fox is a superb filmed biography of german general erwin rommel, concentrating on the period between his retreat from north africa and his governmentdecreed death. On february 6, 1941, rommel was appointed to head the deutsches afrika korps or dak. Feel free to send in your questions and we will update this article shortly. This world war ii whatif novel picks up where fox on the rhine an alternate history of the. Rommel one the most respected men in the history of war.
Dec 04, 2011 news world europe was the desert fox an honest soldier or just another nazi. Few 20thcentury generals have earned such legendary status as erwin rommel. Irving has pictured rommel in a harsh light, but he has combined his qualities, strengths, weaknesses, and vanities in such a way that he breathes life on every page. In late march, rommel, in direct violation of his orders, went on the offensive. He had been ordered to stall and maintain a defensive position until the 15 th panzer division arrived. Credit offered by newday ltd, over 18s only, subject to status.
Germanys memorial to field marshal erwin rommel is perched on a hillside. Field marshal erwin rommel, nicknamed the desert fox, became an iconic figure known for the stylish goggles he wore but they were actually a. The desert fox the story of rommel 1951 the desert fox the story of rommel 1951 the desert fox the story of rommel 1951. Erwin rommel was, for a time, hitlers favorite general. Field marshal erwin rommel has been described as one of the ten greatest mil. Foxes of the desert is the definitive work on the afrika korps and the other german forces who served in the western desert and tunisia during world war ii. In 1944, rommel was implicated in the 20 july plot to assassinate hitler. This book takes place in europe during world war i and world war ii and in north africa during wwii. While there is little doubt that rommel was a skilled, highly professional and honourable soldier, the allies were fooled into believing t. Original ww2 german erwin rommel desert fox signature militaria we present you an original german postcard signed by generalfeldmarshal field marshal erwin rommel. Rommel began his military career in 1911 and was a highly. The desert fox, also known as the fennec fox, is a cute and unique animal.
For myself the evidence presented in this remarkable book makes clear that rommel lived his life in accord erwin rommel 18911945 this book examines the life of field marshal erwin rommel, the desert fox the author notes that any book about rommel must address his apparant inherent contradictions. General johanness eugen rommel 18911944 popularly known as the desert fox was a german field marshal of world war 11. Desmond young, again by postwar interviews, gives a lengthier summation of those events. Widely regarded as one of the foremost pencil artists in the industry, richards original work is highly sought after and he has created this outstanding portrait of the legendary military leader in his trademark graphite and paint combination on a tinted paper. Manfred rommel, the former mayor of the german city of stuttgart and the son of the world war ii field marshal dubbed the desert fox, has died. Stuttgarts mayor rommel, son of the desert fox, says tolerance is the way to fight terrorists.
He was portrayed as a faithful nazi at his funeral. 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. The desert fox is a 1951 blackandwhite biographical war film from 20th century fox about field marshal erwin rommel in the later stages of world war ii. A captured british lieutenant colonel, desmond young, soon has a chance encounter with the celebrated rommel in the midst of a desert artillery barrage. Mitcham jr appointed by hitler to defend naziheld france against an imminent allied invasion, field marshall erwin rommel saw how poor german defenses were when he arrived in. The trail of the fox the search for the true field marshal rommel. Because of rommels status as a national hero, hitler desired to eliminate him quietly instead of immediately executing him, as many other plotters were. The desert fox by henry hathaway henry hathaway, james. It is over twentyfive years since i wrote the trail of the fox, my famous rommel biography. Rommel treats young with respect and chivalry, inspiring the british officer after the war to investigate the life and mysterious death of the great general.
Oct 06, 2011 rommel desert fox us 1951 c20th fox photograph. His involvement with the attempt to assassinate hitler was probably. Frank chadwick, new york times bestselling author of the desert shield fact book. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. This having been said, a statue of rommel would probably be appropriate, if placed in the right place and way. He was a human, ergo he was imperfect but in matters of military, he was very, very good. Lucie mollin, and a photo of rommel in the uniform of the o. Erwin johannes eugen rommel 1891 1944 popularly known as the desert fox was a german field marshal of world war ii. Feb 03, 2017 the desert fox the story of rommel 1951 the desert fox the story of rommel 1951 the desert fox the story of rommel 1951. Marital portraits taken before and after winning the pour le merite. Til erwin rommel, the desert fox, became an antinazi upon his return from africa. He has organised 9 private exhibitions and taken part in 52 group exhibitions.
The book thief by markus zusak the diary of a young girl by anne frank farewell to manzanar by jeanne wakatsuki houston hiroshima by. The desert fox by henry hathaway henry hathaway, james mason. Dominating the here for the first time from the german viewpoint and with a great deal of hitherto unpublished material is the complete story of one of the most bitterly fought, exciting campaigns in modern warfare. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The desert fox is a 1950 biography of german field marshal erwin rommel by desmond young. Hitler was aware of rommels almost universal popularity and status as a hero. After the success in 1940, when as the commander of a panzer division he crushed the french, rommel was appointed to the command of the german forces in africa afrika korps where his tactical genius, recognized even by the enemy, and the ability to inspire his soldiers and use limited resources at maximum levels, convinced. The book was the first biography of rommel and enjoyed immense popularity, especially in britain.
No commander in history has written an account of his campaigns to match the vividness and value of rommels which, for the most part, has now been retrieved from its various hiding places and put together in this volume. Rommel seemed to anticipate his enemys actions, and his reputation soared to nearmythical status. This mission provided the nickname that remains in use for rommel, the desert fox. Leadership lessons from the desert fox, that praised rommels skill on the battlefield, arguing that his command style provided valuable lessons for the gulf wars. The most famous battles of one of world war iis most legendary commanders told largely from rommels perspective, using his papers and letters in a series of battles marked by daring raids and quickarmored thrusts against a numerically superior enemy, erwin rommel, the notorious desert fox, and his afrika korps waged one of world war iis toughest campaigns in the north african desert in. His forces were in ceasefire status for the moment. I cant make rommel a frank merriwell a cleancut dime novel hero, but on. From an early age, rommel had an interest in engineering. Much has been written about the afrika korp, but this book details incidents during ww1 and gives an in depth account of rommels involvement, or uninvolvement in the assassination attempt on hitler. He was the desert fox, revered by allied forces for his supposed chivalry, and. Erwin rommel comes as close to being a household name in america as a nazi general can get. David irving recalls something of the history of this book.
The artist is currently a member of the tramways east melbourne rsl, and has donated these prints himself. Seven milestones throughout the life of erwin rommel the. Ronald grant archive because the film focuses on the last few months of rommel s life, it shows much more of rommel doubting hitler than loyally. Desert fox erwin rommel was given his goggles by a british. Rommel quickly returned to the desert, but he could not stem. The desert fox is a 1951 blackandwhite biographical film from 20th century fox about field marshal erwin rommel in the later stages of the world war ii. Troops, including the 15 th panzer division and the 5 th light division were being sent to north africa to aid struggling italian troops.
Rather than execute him, the gestapo gave him the option of suicide by poison and a heros funeral. The book led the western allies, particularly the british, to depict rommel as the good german and our friend rommel, contributing to the formation of the rommel myth. Wwii had ended only a couple of decades before, so memories were still bitter. The desert fox by brigadier desmond young, who served in the british indian army in north africa.
It stars james mason in the title role, was directed by henry hathaway, and was based on the book rommel. The reception of the desert fox in britain was enthusiastic. In 2008, for example, military historian charles messenger published a biography, rommel. Erwin rommel the desert fox original pencil drawing.
Feb 17, 2011 his book infantry attacks, however, which detailed his extraordinary feats of bravery in world war one, caught hitlers attention. What holds me back is the plentiful unit and commander detail that, i think, introduces an unnecessary granularity more distracting than helpful. Des young does a bang up job on his biography of the noted desert fox, rommel was a fox in all manners, but more than that, he was a soldiers soldier. We are going to answer the most common questions about this fox species.
The storied military career of erwin rommel unabridged edition by samuel w. News world europe was the desert fox an honest soldier or just another nazi. I found this book though my personal interest in wwii. It does not have the detail of the fraser or lewin biographies, and sometimes young seems to border on hero worship of rommel. He had personal knowledge of several specific incidents and gave the perspective from rommels military adversaries. Prica o rommelu je americki crnobijeli ratnobiografski film snimljen 1951. A solid general who acted honorably and even impressed his enemies. Manfred rommel, who has died aged 84, was the only son of the desert fox erwin rommel and a witness to german commanders last moments. His involvement with the attempt to assassinate hitler was probably more peripheral than this film made it out to be.
Much has been written about the afrika korp, but this book details incidents. Was the desert fox an honest soldier or just another nazi. Desmond youngs book made me a lifelong student and admirer of the desert fox. He earned the respect of both his own troops and the enemies he fought. Rommel has always been one of those figures that has gone against the grain of axis evilallies good in wwii. The trail of the fox the search for the true field marshal. For myself the evidence presented in this remarkable book makes clear that rommel lived his life in accord erwin rommel 18911945 this book examines the life of field marshal erwin rommel, the desert fox the author notes that any book about rommel must address his. He is considered to be a military phenomenon that was able to combine bravery and daring with brains. He was highly skilled in combat along with being brave and just a touch audacious. Field marshal erwin rommel, commander of the german afrika korps. Original ww2 german erwin rommel desert fox signature. A brilliant tactician, rommel earns the respect not only of his own men but of the enemy. The book led the western allies, particularly the british, to depict rommel as the good german and our friend rommel, contributing to the.
In london it was greedily snapped up and published by george weidenfeld congdon had previously edited the book jaws for a writer called peter. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies. Nov 08, 20 manfred rommel, the former mayor of the german city of stuttgart and the son of the world war ii field marshal dubbed the desert fox, has died. Here we will cover their behavior an unique style in details.
The result is a stunning sepia effect work, reminiscent of a period wartime piece. Rommel, with whom he had an ongoing rivalry of sorts for guderian, not rommel, was. At this time, only the 5 th light division was present in north africa. Johannes erwin eugen rommel 15 november 1891 14 october 1944 was a german general and military theorist. Rommel, david irving has brilliantly researched and shown lesser known side of the desert fox erwin rommel. It is mainly about erwin rommel and his military career from wwi to his death. Unfortunately, adolph hitler luther adler, laboring under the delusion that he too is a military genius, demands more of rommel. But it was ultimately hitlers liking for rommels book infantry attacks that led to. The reputation of erwin rommel, a german general admired by churchill, is now looking tarnished. Stuttgarts mayor rommel, son of the desert fox, says. The desert fox was one of the most famous german commanders of wwii, second only to hitler himself. From the collection of tramwayseast melbourne rsl sub branch rsl victoria listing id.
420 605 866 602 809 1485 1159 1212 204 617 1045 496 1152 1084 1183 1100 1063 446 880 1111 1042 548 287 1285 798 445 1132 197 513 1398 82 903 76 330