General Field Marshal Erwin Rommel as the True Leader of Men - Term Paper Example

General Field Marshal Erwin Rommel - The True Leader of Men Introduction: Born on 15th November, 1891 in the town of Heidenheim an der Brenz in the South German state of Baden-Württemberg, Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel was a German Field Marshal of World War II who served between the period of 1911 to 1944. Apart from being a highly renowned German Field Marshal, many historians also label him to be perhaps one the greatest military leaders of all time. Rommel’s leadership quality and excellence was particularly displayed in the way he commanded Italian and German forces in the campaign of North Africa, to rightfully earn him the nickname of, The Desert Fox. The purpose of this paper is to discuss his accomplishments and to also analyze his extraordinary leadership abilities, display of chivalry and gallantry towards his opponents, his soldier’s code and faith as an underlying theme of the paper. World War I: The period of World War I saw Rommel fight in Italy, Romania and France for the majority of the war in Alpenkorps, an elite Württemberg Mountain Battalion. His service proved to be highly successful throughout and this success was recognized and praised when he was awarded Iron Cross, Second Class and Iron Cross, First Class in 1914 and 1915, respectively. He was further decorated with the highest German honor, the order of Pour le Mérite in 1918. His efficient and quick decision-making, display of bravery and ability to reap benefit out of the weaknesses of the enemy led to the capture of Mount Matajur and a vast number of Italian Defenders, in return of a fairly small loss for Rommel’s men which was an achievement in itself and could be attributed to his skills as a military commander and a strategic thinker. The First World War was only the beginning for Rommel’s extraordinary accomplishments and emergence as a chivalrous military leader, for his direction in World War II was even more resolute. In the period leading up to the Second World War, Rommel served at Dresden Infantry School as an instructor, it is during this time from 1929 to 1933 that he penned down “Gefechts-Aufgaben für Zug und Kompanie : Ein Handbuch für den Offizierunterricht", an instruction manual for officers involved in infantry training, which reflected Rommel’s prowess as a leader who believed that military achievements depended greatly upon the skill and training of the armed forces. Rommel is also credited with writing "Infanterie greift an" a book which documented his military observations throughout World War I and was highly regarded as a source of guidance for the army. Certainly, Rommel was one of the few leaders who firmly held the conviction in the ideology that military strategy and tactitical decision-making was of great and undeniable importance for the success of any campaign. World War II: This part of the paper will document Erwin Rommel’s accomplishments through the period of the Second World War, analyzing the leadership style and characteristics that can be attributed to his accomplishments as well his conduct which has enabled Lewin amongst many other commentators to label him as a highly professional and humane officer. Rommel commanded the Führerbegleithauptquartier (Führer escort headquarters) in the 1939 invasion of Poland until its defeat, in the following year Rommel voiced concern that his current position in the guard detail was not allowing him to fully exploit his abilities. Upon his request to Hitler to hand him charge of a panzer division, Rommel was handed over the control of the 7th Panzer Division on 6th February, 1940, three months later the planned invasion of France would occur. The reason why Rommel was suited to lead a panzer division was because of two factors which were central to his own approach towards leadership and fighting against the enemy – surprise and maneuver. Under his leadership, the 7th Panzer Division systematically practiced the methods that were integral to advancement in the campaign, the triumph of the 7th Panzer Division in the invasion of France proved to be unparalleled and incomparable, its swift and rapid attacks and vigorous movement often put the division much ahead of the higher German command and always one step ahead. No doubt, Rommel’s transformation of the division into a fortress of success signaled towards his own ability as a decision-maker and leader who was aware of his strengths and weaknesses, having the knowledge about his own skills and where his expertise would be best utilized. After the invasion of Belgium by the Germans, the 7th Panzer division ventured into the municipality of Dinant but the determined and persistent Belgian defenders made an attack into France a problematic task to perform. Overcoming this issue was a truly testing time for Rommel, but his leadership enabled him to have the ability to take command from the front and make use of strategic thinking, calculated technique and improvisation. Rommel took charge by ordering numerous nearby houses to be set on fire so that the emerging smoke would allow his forces to remain concealed from the adversaries. This allowed the transportation of the troops across the Meuse River and crossing the Ardennes, permitting them to enter France. Rommel was known to take advantage of having a profound understanding of the opponent’s psychology, he very well comprehended the piercing impact surprise attacks and sudden strikes could have on the opponent, which was something he learned from experience in World War I. His success in overcoming the imminent problem and emerging successful against the resolute attacks of the Belgian defenders reflected his mastery of the style warfare known as "blitzkrieg" notes Liddell-Hart (1953). The continued successes of the 7th Panzer Division which came to be known as Gespenster-Division or Ghost Division, drew immense praise for its commander Erwin Rommel, it was the speed, dexterity and consistency of the division’s victorious campaigns that made Rommel the owner of a stellar military career, however, his achievements were also met with criticism, sometimes, by his own colleagues who strongly suggested that Rommel still lacked experience and needed better judgment. In retrospect however, the North African campaign is a proof of the existence of enemies that Rommel had within the army who were evidently envious of his success. North Africa 1941-1943 According to Zapotoczny, Rommel’s leadership was singlehandedly responsible for the transformation of a defeated Italian army with the aid of the German forces into a dominant power against the British in North Africa. The Deutsches Afrika Korps - the German expeditionary force and its successes are synonymous to Erwin Rommel, its commander. It is a matter of honor and distinction for the force that it was never accused of any war crimes, the captives of war were treated humanely and Rommel infused in the Afrika Korps his own soldier’s code which expected decency and humanity in every action that his force took pertaining to their activities in the region of North Africa. Rommel believed in conducting a war without hate, it should also be noted that he popularly refused to abide by Hitler’s order of killing any Jewish prisoners of war. As Zapotoczny asserts, Rommel never let his situation compromise his personal beliefs and values which cemented the principle that every captive as a result of war should be treated with the utmost equality. It has been observed that to his subordinates Rommel was a difficult commander to please, he maintained for his juniors the same standards that he had for himself. His display of strategic understanding, critical thinking, initiative during combat, courage, chivalry and dominant energy led to the construction of his bold, audacious and risk-taking leadership style. Even though, Rommel’s bold personality may have appeared as intimidating to some, his instinct and awareness about the nuances of battle proved to be a source of inspiration for his subordinates throughout the North Africa campaign and henceforth, can be attributed to the persistent effort of the Afrika Korps in the region until its surrender in 1943. REFERENCES: Rommel, Erwin. "The Rommel Papers, ed." Basil Henry Liddell-Hart (London, 1953) (1953). Zapotoczny, Walter S. "The Success of the Deutsches Afrika Korps was based on Erwin Rommel’s Leadership." Lewin, Ronald. Rommel As Military Commander. London: Batsford, 1968. 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