ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Nutty Productions How did Nazi "Desert Fox" Erwin Rommel Try to Kill Hitler WW2?
Welcome to an exciting journey through history! Today, we’re exploring the fascinating life of Erwin Rommel, famously known as the “Desert Fox.” He was a brilliant military leader during World War II, known for his clever tactics and daring moves on the battlefield. Let’s dive into his story and discover how he became a key figure in the war and his complex relationship with Adolf Hitler.
Erwin Rommel was born on November 25, 1891. He joined the German Army at just 18 years old. During World War I, Rommel fought in several countries, including France, Italy, and Romania. He quickly gained a reputation for his smart battle strategies, like using surprise attacks and flanking enemy forces. One of his most famous victories was at the Battle of Caporetto, where his small unit captured 9,000 enemy soldiers with minimal losses.
Rommel’s innovative tactics, known as infiltration tactics, were a precursor to the Blitzkrieg strategy used in World War II. He even wrote a book about his experiences called “Infantry Attacks,” which became a bestseller and influenced military leaders worldwide, including Hitler.
Rommel’s skills caught the attention of Adolf Hitler, who assigned him to his personal escort battalion in 1938. Rommel’s support for Hitler was evident, and he quickly rose through the ranks, attending daily war briefings and accompanying Hitler on his travels. By the time Germany invaded France in 1940, Rommel had been promoted to general, achieving remarkable victories with his “Ghost Division.”
In 1941, Rommel was appointed commander of the Africa Corps, where he earned the nickname “The Desert Fox” for his successes against the British in North Africa. Even his enemies admired his speed and tactical brilliance. However, by 1942, the tides turned, and Rommel’s forces were defeated due to exhaustion and lack of resources.
Rommel’s relationship with Hitler was complicated. While he initially supported Hitler, Rommel began to doubt Germany’s chances of winning the war and became critical of Hitler’s leadership. Despite their differences, Rommel never joined the Nazi Party and often disobeyed Hitler’s orders when he believed they were wrong.
In July 1944, Rommel was implicated in a plot to assassinate Hitler, known as the 20 July plot. Although he was not directly involved, conspirators named him as a potential leader to replace Hitler. Faced with the choice of defending himself, going on trial, or taking his own life, Rommel chose the latter.
After his death, Hitler gave Rommel a hero’s funeral, portraying him as a national hero. Rommel’s legacy is complex; he was seen as a noble German general by both the Nazi propaganda machine and the Allied forces. His story continues to captivate people today, serving as a reminder of the intricate and often contradictory nature of history.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through the life of Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox. We hope you enjoyed learning about this remarkable figure from World War II. Until next time!
Research more about Erwin Rommel’s military tactics and his role in World War II. Create a presentation to share with the class, highlighting key battles and strategies he used. Focus on how his tactics influenced modern military strategies.
Participate in a class debate about Rommel’s legacy. Divide into two groups: one arguing that Rommel was a noble military leader, and the other discussing the ethical implications of his actions during the war. Use evidence from historical sources to support your arguments.
Create a detailed timeline of Rommel’s life, including his early years, military career, and involvement in the 20 July plot. Use visuals and key dates to illustrate his rise through the ranks and his complex relationship with Hitler.
Engage in a role-playing activity where you assume the roles of key figures in Rommel’s life, such as Hitler, fellow military leaders, and conspirators in the 20 July plot. Discuss and act out their perspectives on Rommel’s actions and decisions during the war.
Read excerpts from Rommel’s book “Infantry Attacks” and write a book review. Discuss how his experiences in World War I shaped his tactics in World War II and the impact of his writings on military leaders worldwide.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Who was the Desert Fox, and how did he rise through the ranks of the German Army to come to the attention of Adolf Hitler? With boldness and wit, this man managed to topple divisions of thousands of enemy soldiers using only hundreds of his own.
Welcome back to Nutty History! Today, we’ll dive deep into the history of World War II and tell the untold story of Erwin Rommel, the Desert Fox.
Erwin Rommel was born on November 25, 1891, and joined the German Army at the age of 18. During World War I, he fought in France, Italy, and Romania and was known for his clever battle tactics, such as using heavy fire with rapid advances and moving to the flank position of enemy armies, utilizing tactical surprise. During the Battle of Caporetto, Rommel’s unit of 150 soldiers captured 9,000 men with a loss of only six men and 30 wounded in just two and a half days. In a later battle in Longarone, Rommel made the bold move to attack with a much smaller force, convincing the first Italian Infantry Division that they were surrounded by an entire German division. Ten thousand men surrendered to Rommel, and he went on to receive the highest Prussian military honor, the Pour le Mérite, also known as the Blue Max. Rommel was promoted to captain in January of 1918.
Rommel pioneered a new form of maneuver warfare called infiltration tactics, which some call Blitzkrieg without tanks. He wrote a book describing his wartime experiences and analysis called “Infanterie Greift An,” which translates to “Infantry Attacks.” The book was published in 1937 and became a bestseller, greatly influencing many armies around the world. You might be able to guess one person who owned a copy of this book—Hitler himself.
More details on their complex relationship to come, but first, let’s look at how Rommel came to be known as the Desert Fox. Hitler assigned Rommel to his escort battalion in October of 1938, accompanying Hitler whenever he left Germany. Rommel’s support of Hitler was clear, stating that Hitler was called upon by God and spoke like a prophet. Rommel rapidly rose through the ranks, attending Hitler’s daily war briefings in Poland and accompanying him wherever he went. By the time the invasion of France began on May 10, 1940, Rommel had been promoted to the rank of general, ahead of more senior officers. By May 16, he had decimated the French 2nd Army Corps, taking 10,000 prisoners and losing only 36 men. His success continued, forcing 40,000 men to surrender in the siege of Lille. His consistent speed and ability to surprise earned his division the nickname “Ghost Division.” He was appointed as commander of the Africa Corps in February of 1941, fighting the Allies in North Africa.
While there, he was repeatedly victorious against British forces, including the British Desert Rats. Even the British were in awe of Rommel, praising his speed and clever tactics. He earned the nickname “The Desert Fox,” which was used by both the German Army and the Allied Forces. The tides turned in 1942 when the Allies defeated Rommel’s troops, who were exhausted and lacking resources. Hitler ordered Rommel back to Germany, and within a year, Rommel became critical of Hitler’s leadership, doubting Germany’s ability to win the war.
Rommel’s military career was marked by his own wit, bravery, and initiative, but it was ultimately Hitler’s support that put Rommel at the forefront of World War II. Both men came from humble beginnings and were not children of privilege. They were veterans of World War I and shared bold and decisive personalities. Rommel was charismatic, while Hitler had a more controversial image.
Despite their relationship, Rommel was never a member of the Nazi Party. While he originally believed Hitler to be the best leader for the nation, he would disobey Hitler when necessary and showed signs of disillusionment with the dictator by the end of his life. This disillusionment is understandable; once, when Rommel needed to retreat, Hitler told him to present his soldiers with only two paths: one to victory and one to death.
Rommel was also singled out by conspirators as a potential replacement for Hitler after an assassination attempt on July 20, 1944, known as the 20 July plot. Upon interrogation, the conspirators offered up Rommel’s name. Ultimately, Rommel was given three options by Hitler: defend himself in person, go on trial, or take his own life. Rommel chose the latter.
Hitler gave Rommel a hero’s memorial, still raising him up as a national hero. Rommel’s funeral was a classic piece of Third Reich pageantry.
Irwin Rommel remains an ambiguous figure in history, highly mythologized during his lifetime. The Nazi propaganda machine worked hard to turn him into an inspiration for the German public, while Allied forces also had reasons to lionize him. After his death, the West needed Germany as an ally in the Cold War, and Rommel’s legacy became a symbol of a noble German general.
Regardless of how one interprets Rommel, he was an important part of the World War II story, and his image has continued to compel generations since.
Thank you for watching Nutty History. See you next time!
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This version removes any inappropriate language and maintains a respectful tone throughout.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Example sentence: In history class, we learned about the causes and effects of World War II.
Military – Relating to the armed forces or to soldiers, arms, or war. – Example sentence: The military strategies used during World War II were crucial to the outcome of the war.
Rommel – A German general and military theorist, known for his leadership in North Africa during World War II. – Example sentence: General Rommel was respected by both his allies and enemies for his tactical brilliance in the North African campaign.
Hitler – The leader of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945, whose aggressive policies led to World War II. – Example sentence: Adolf Hitler’s invasion of Poland in 1939 marked the beginning of World War II.
World War II – A global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world’s nations. – Example sentence: World War II was one of the most significant events in modern history, reshaping international relations and borders.
Tactics – The art of deploying and directing troops and equipment in battle. – Example sentence: The success of the Allied forces in World War II was partly due to their innovative military tactics.
General – A high-ranking officer in the army, responsible for commanding large units of troops. – Example sentence: General Eisenhower played a pivotal role in planning and executing the D-Day invasion during World War II.
Africa – The second-largest continent, which was a significant theater of operations during World War II. – Example sentence: The North Africa campaign was a critical series of battles during World War II, involving major powers like Germany and the United Kingdom.
Legacy – Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to the lasting impact of historical events or figures. – Example sentence: The legacy of World War II continues to influence global politics and society today.
Assassination – The deliberate killing of a prominent or important person, often for political reasons. – Example sentence: The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 is often cited as the spark that ignited World War I.
