Erwin Johanas Rommel was born into a military family. He was born on November 15, 1891, in Heidenburg, Germany. At age 14, Rommel built his first working glider. In school, Rommel became an athlete. Rommel had two older brothers and a younger sister. While in school, Rommel wanted to be an Engineer, but he fulfilled his father’s wish, by joining the military. Rommel’s father was a Lieutenant in the Artillery. After the army, he became a Head Master, at Alan in Austria. Rommel was the second child of four. Rommel’s mother was part of the German government at this time. She died in 1940 during the height of the war in Germany. At 19, he enlisted into the Army as a Cadet. In 1910, he went to officer school, where he met his future wife. …show more content…
Rommel had a son named Manfred and later had a daughter named Gertrude. Rommel had a close relationship with his children throughout his life. His daughter had knitted him a scarf, and despite the heat, he wore this throughout the North African Campaign. Rommel had a good relationship with his wife, whom he would write letters to every day while in the field. Rommel served in the Alpinekorps during his years in WWI. Rommel was known for his quick thinking and being a tactical genius. At one point, he captured 1,500 men by utilizing only five members of his platoon, which consisted of, two officers and three men. Rommel was awarded the Iron Cross for his bravery. While other commanders were utilizing trench warfare, Rommel became a master at leading small groups of men. Rommel used surprise attacks and flanking maneuvers to outwit the enemy. Rommel received the Pour Le Merite, Germany’s highest award, equivalent to the United States Medal of …show more content…
The Ghost Division was given its name, due to the advancement into enemy territory that even the German high command didn’t know where they were. The Ghost Division advanced 200 miles in a day, setting the longest driving record in history. The enemies never knew when the Seventh Panzer Division would strike next. Rommel always believed that a leader should be there at desperate times. He led every charge from the front and fought alongside his troops, who regarded him highly and were extremely loyal. On one occasion, he used his background in Engineering to help his men build a bridge across a river, all the while under fire. Once the bridge was built, he was in the second panzer across, leading the