Marshal Baton Ceremony for Rommel

Original color portraits of Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika") which was taken by Hitler's personal photographer Heinrich Hoffmann on 30 September 1942 when Rommel was presented his marschallstab (Marshal baton) by Hitler at Neue Reichskanzlei, Berlin. These would be 100% agfacolor color 35mm slide film taken by Hoffmann. Then the agfacolor film would have been converted to the standard color printing process of the time. A lot of the rich colours and debt from the agfacolor film would have been lost in the printing process. Much after 1943 most of these portraits were all photographed using color film.

Source :
https://www.bpk-bildagentur.de/shop
https://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_nkw=erwin+rommel&Brand=&_dcat=1
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/photos-and-paper-items-forum/13494062-rommel-postcard

Rommel and Hitler at Warsaw Airfield

On 25 September 1939, Adolf Hitler flew from Zoppot to the area around Warsaw, Poland. He made visits to the 8. Armee (General der Infanterie Johannes Blaskowitz) and 10. Armee (General der Artillerie Walther von Reichenau), as well as the German army headquarters in Grodjisk Mazowieki. After that he returned to Godentow-Lanz by airplane. The next day (26 September 1939 at 09:30 am), Hitler returned to Berlin boarding the Führersonderzug "Amerika". He arrived in the German capital at 17:05 in the afternoon. The Führer only returned to Poland again on 5 October 1939 to take part in the German victory parade. This photo was taken by Kriegsberichter Falk from Propaganda-Kompanie 367 (Ost) on 25 September 1939 in the area of 10. Armee, which located between Bzura and the Vistula River (facing west of Warsaw), and shows the moment Hitler had just arrived at the nearest airfield at Alexandrow. For the identification, front row from left to right: General der Artillerie Franz Halder (Chef des Generalstabes des Heeres), Reichsleiter Martin Bormann (Persönlicher Sekretär bzw. Stabsleiter des Stellvertreters des Führers Rudolf Hess), Generaloberst Gerd von Rundstedt (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe Süd), Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch (Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres), Generaloberst Wilhelm Keitel (Chef Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Generalmajor Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur Führer-Begleit-Bataillon), General der Artillerie Walther von Reichenau (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee), Generalmajor Friedrich Paulus (Chef des Generalstabes 10. Armee), and SS-Gruppenführer Karl Wolff (Verbindungsoffizier zwischen dem Reichsführer-SS und dem Führerhauptquartier).

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-013-0060-20
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2016/09/kunjungan-adolf-hitler-ke-front.html

Rommel with Artillerie-Regiment 33

German armored personnel carriers parked in the North African desert in June 1942, near Tobruk. The first halftrack on the right is a communication vehicle (leichter Funkpanzerwagen) Sd.Kfz. 250/3 "Greif" (WH number 937035), which served as a light command headquarters of Generaloberst Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika"). "Greif" is equipped with two radio stations: he large antenna belongs to a FuG 7 radio station with a range of up to 50 km. The smaller antenna is FuG 5 radio stations with a range of up to 5 km, which serves for communication between the machines within the unit. To the left of Rommel's command vehicle is an armored personnel carrier Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf.B. On the sides of the vehicle there is a design resembling a makeshift loop-type antenna and a large antenna, which suggests that this is also a communications vehicle (mittlerer Funkpanzerwagen) Sd. Kfz. 251/3 Ausf.B (possibly a field conversion of the usual Sd. Kfz. 251/1 into Sd. Kfz. 251/3). The last armored personnel carrier on the left is Sd. Kfz. 251/1 Ausf.S. The officer holding the map who chats with Rommel is Oberst Eduard Crasemann (Kommandeur Artillerie-Regiment 33 [motorisiert]). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Albrecht Heinrich Otto of PK (Propaganda-Kompanie) "Afrika".

Source :
https://en.topwar.ru/135723-rommel-v-afrike.html
https://waralbum.ru/217895/

Rommel at Regimentstag Stuttgart

 

"Regimentstag" in Stuttgart, 1934. From left to right: Major Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur III.Bataillon [Jäger] / Infanterie-Regiment 17), Char. Generalmajor Alois Ritter von Molo (Leiter Wehrbezirkskommando II Stuttgart), Rudolf Weckler (a sergeant in Rommel's battalion in the First World War and his friend of many years), Oberst a.D. Schniger, and General der Infanterie a.D. Franz Freiherr von Soden (head of 125th Infantry Regiment's Association of Retired Officers).

Source :
"Discovering The Rommel Murder: The Life And Death Of The Desert Fox" by Charles F. Marshall
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2440625#p2440625
http://prussianmachine.com/akb/soden.htm

Rommel Posing in His Staff Car

This picture was taken by war correspondent Ernst Alexander Zwilling of Kriegsberichter-Kompanie Luftwaffe 7 on 24 November 1941, and it shows a tired and dispirited General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Kommandierender General Panzergruppe "Afrika") who stands in the front seat of his Kfz. 15 Horch 901 (Typ 40) staff car, with elements of 15. Panzer-Division between Tobruk and Sidi Omar during the retreat after his momentary defeat by the British during the Crusader offensive. Sitting in the back seat at right is Rommel's Chief of Staff, Generalmajor Alfred Gause, while the driver's name is Leutnant der Reserve Hellmut von Leipzig, the future Ritterkreuzträger (Knight's Cross holder). The vehicle in the background is an Sd.Kfz.260 armoured radio vehicle from the HQ signals unit. After Operation Battleaxe failed to relieve the siege of Tobruk in June 1941, British General Archibald Wavell was replaced as Commander-in-Chief Middle East by General Claude Auchinleck. Lieutenant General Cunningham, fresh from victory in East Africa, was given command of the new 8th Army, comprising 13th Corps, supplemented by a New Zealand division, and 30th Corps, incorporating South African troops. The Australian division garrisoning Tobruk was replaced by 70th Division, incorporating Polish troops. Rommel now headed the expanded Panzergruppe Afrika, incorporating the Deutsches Afrika Korps; he also had operational control over three Italian divisions. On 18 November, 30th Corps advanced through the southern desert, aiming to engage and destroy enemy tanks before turning north west to rendezvous with a breakout at Tobruk. By 21 November, both 30th Corps and 70th Division were pinned down by the artillery of Rommel's 90th Light Division. The situation was saved by the advance of 13th Corps, which began engaging enemy positions along the coast on 22 November; by 26 November 13th Corps' New Zealand Division had cleared a corridor between Tobruk and 30th Corps. Auchinleck now replaced Cunningham with Ritchie. The Deutsches Afrika Korps withdrew on 6 December, creating a new front line at Gazala, west of Tobruk. In December further skirmishes in western Cyrenaica, with heavy British losses, were followed by German withdrawal to Tripolitania. However, this apparently favourable British position was undermined by inadequate forward defences and an unrealistic assessment of Rommel's intentions. A massive and apparently unexpected counter attack in January destroyed British positions in the south and west, bringing Rommel back to Gazala. The gains of Operation Crusader had proved to be painfully limited.

Source :
"Deutsche Afrikakorps (1941-1943)" by Ricardo Recio Cardona
"Gazala 1942: Rommel's Greatest Victories" by Ken Ford
"Rommel's Afrika Korps: Tobruk To ElAlamein" by Pier Paolo Battistelli
http://ww2images.blogspot.com/2013/04/rommel-with-15-panzer-division-between.html

Rommel and Propaganda

Generaloberst Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika") chattered away while being interviewed by Kriegsberichter Lutz Koch, who held a Beyer M 19b microphone close to his mouth, while the bildberichter behind them was busy recording moving images with an Arriflex 35mm camera. Behind Rommel can be seen a radio operator busy working using the AEG magnetophone "Tonschreiber d (Dora)" - which is the world's first portable magnetophone (magnetic recorder) - in a Horch Typ 40 mittlerer geländegängiger Personenkraftwagen (m.gl.Pkw) Kfz 15 vehicle. This photo was taken on June 22, 1942 when German troops had just captured Tobruk from the Allies. This coastal city in Libya has a very strategic role in the battles of North Africa, and its control makes the German people lulled in euphoria: the occupation of Egypt is only a matter of time, and after that is the unification of German troops from Russia and Africa in the Caucasus! This interview was broadcast live to Germany, and was heard by many, including Adolf Hitler and his associates. That same day the Führer - overwhelmed with joy - decided to give his favorite general an extraordinary promotion, from Generaloberst (Colonel-General) to Generalfeldmarschall (Fieldmarshal), a five-star rank with no official retirement!

Source :
"Deutsche Afrikakorps (1941-1943)" by Ricardo Recio Cardona
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2015/05/foto-wawancara-tokoh-third-reich-dengan.html

Rommel Interviewed After the Capture of Tobruk

Generaloberst Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika") chattered away while being interviewed by Kriegsberichter Lutz Koch, who held a Beyer M 19b microphone close to his mouth, while the bildberichter behind them was busy recording moving images with an Arriflex 35mm camera. Behind Rommel can be seen a radio operator busy working using the AEG magnetophone "Tonschreiber d (Dora)" - which is the world's first portable magnetophone (magnetic recorder) - in a Horch Typ 40 mittlerer geländegängiger Personenkraftwagen (m.gl.Pkw) Kfz 15 vehicle. This photo was taken on June 22, 1942 when German troops had just captured Tobruk from the Allies. This coastal city in Libya has a very strategic role in the battles of North Africa, and its control makes the German people lulled in euphoria: the occupation of Egypt is only a matter of time, and after that is the unification of German troops from Russia and Africa in the Caucasus! This interview was broadcast live to Germany, and was heard by many, including Adolf Hitler and his associates. That same day the Führer - overwhelmed with joy - decided to give his favorite general an extraordinary promotion, from Generaloberst (Colonel-General) to Generalfeldmarschall (Fieldmarshal), a five-star rank with no official retirement!

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2015/05/foto-wawancara-tokoh-third-reich-dengan.html

Rommel Flanked with Two Italian Officers in Tripoili

Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel (Kommandierender General Deutsches Afrikakorps) in Tripoli soon after his arrival in northern Africa. Before being appointed as Afrikakorps commander, he had commanded the 7. Panzer-Division. In 1940 he crossed the fortifications in southern Belgium across the Ardennes and then he fought in France.

Source :
NARA - 242-EAPC
"Deutsche Afrikakorps (1941-1943)" by Ricardo Recio Cardona

Rommel Discussed with Gariboldi

Although in paper the DAK (Deutsches Afrikakorps) reported directly to Italian Comando Supremo under Libya General Governor's command, in practice Rommel set the agenda for all military operations in northern Africa. in this picture - taken in the period of April-July 1941 - Italian general Italo Gariboldi (Army Commander of Comando Supremo) is seated to the right of Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel (Kommandierender General Deutsches Afrikakorps).

Source:
NARA - 242-EAPC
"Deutsche Afrikakorps (1941-1943)" by Ricardo Recio Cardona

Rommel's Visit to Italian Pavia Division

The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Ernst Alexander Zwilling (Propaganda-Kompanie Luftwaffe 7) on 12 February 1942, and it shows Generaloberst Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika") with German and Italian officers, during his visit to the headquarters of Italian 17° Divisione Autotrasportabile "Pavia" (17th Motorised Division "Pavia") in El Agheila. In this occasion Rommel took the opportunity to talk to his Italian allies about the upcoming operational plans. This picture is also available in the book "Rommel's Italian Generals in North Africa" by Dr. Libro Di Zinno and Rudy D'Angelo, page 26. There the authors identify the individual as Generale di Brigata Michelangelo Nicolini, commander of the army artillery. He was in several pictures with Rommel. Unfortunately, Nicolini is one general the authors have noted in several other pictures as mis-identified. This greater focus on Nicolini could imply a better level of research, but that is only speculation. Most possible ID is Generale di Brigata Antonio Franceschini, commander of Pavia Division. On the photo it says Falzoni, it could have been a garbled version of Falconi and the officer Enzo Falconi. Only problem is that he was a colonel at the time and commander of the artillery regiment in the Ariete division. It is the only name and rank that comes close with the writing. For the German officers identification (apart from Rommel): fourth from right is Major Friedrich-Wilhelm von Mellenthin (Ic im Generalstab Panzerarmee "Afrika"). On his right is Oberleutnant Diekmann, Rommel's aide.

Source :
"Rommel's Italian Generals in North Africa 1941-1943" by Dr. Libro Di Zinno and Rudy D'Angelo
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-1982-0927-503,_Bei_El_Agheila,_Rommel_bei_italienischer_Division.jpg
https://www.ebay.de/itm/165715607163?hash=item26956b7e7b:g:EcEAAOSwroZjQX9O&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAkKGWZ%2FV0JYl6oJJMZZHEYs4HVsIW4FUrvDC0b1A%2Fq451cb593QTvf%2BRp6xl1luCrxyITWryw3J6r8QiaGIIb5pee4uv62X00WEvwfUIG%2BmySmXhV9oEWqLA%2Ff8%2Fh%2BdFAUgYmztz3Jp806dFikqbBiKkcnXSuAhU7sweiWDNEidOzU44PrZ5MHxmQJ7fTO7nsnA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9b7tpv7YA
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2435229#p2435229

Rommel in the Warsaw Victory Parade

Siegesparade (Victory Parade) of German troops from 8. Armee in Warsaw, Poland, which were held on October 5, 1939. Standing in the podium, from left to right: Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch (Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Generalmajor Friedrich-Carl Cranz (Kommandeur 18. Infanterie-Division), General der Artillerie Emil Leeb (Kommandierender General XI. Armeekorps), Generaloberst Wilhelm Keitel (Chef der Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), General der Kavallerie Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Weichs (with glasses, Kommandierender General XIII. Armeekorps), Generaloberst Johannes Blaskowitz (Oberbefehlshaber 8. Armee), Generaloberst Walther von Reichenau (blocked by Blaskowitz, Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee), and General der Flieger Albert Kesselring (Chef Luftflotte 1). Standing directly below Hitler is Generalmajor Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur Führer-Begleit-Bataillon). Photo by Hugo Jaeger, one of Hitler's personal photographer.

Siegesparade (Victory Parade) of German troops from 8. Armee in Warsaw, Poland, which were held on October 5, 1939. Standing in the podium, from left to right: Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Generalmajor Friedrich-Carl Cranz (Kommandeur 18. Infanterie-Division), General der Artillerie Emil Leeb (Kommandierender General XI. Armeekorps), Generaloberst Wilhelm Keitel (Chef der Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), and Generaloberst Walther von Reichenau (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee). In the invasion of Poland, 18. Infanterie-Division (Cranz) was under the command of XI. Armekorps (Leeb), which itself is a part of the 10. Armee (Reichenau). Standing directly below Hitler is Generalmajor Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur Führer-Begleit-Bataillon). Photo by Hugo Jaeger, one of Hitler's personal photographer.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2010/10/koleksi-ratusan-foto-berwarna-dari-life.html
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/hitler-jaeger-file/cgGOrCSjbQIRHQ?hl=en&ms=%7B%22x%22%3A0.5%2C%22y%22%3A0.5%2C%22z%22%3A9.8634121824318%2C%22size%22%3A%7B%22width%22%3A1.3223032994923862%2C%22height%22%3A1.2375000000000005%7D%7D

Rommel in Color

Siegesparade (Victory Parade) of German troops from 8. Armee in Warsaw, Poland, which were held on October 5, 1939. Standing in the podium, from left to right: Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch (Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres), Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Generalmajor Friedrich-Carl Cranz (Kommandeur 18. Infanterie-Division), General der Artillerie Emil Leeb (Kommandierender General XI. Armeekorps), Generaloberst Wilhelm Keitel (Chef der Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), General der Kavallerie Maximilian Reichsfreiherr von Weichs (with glasses, Kommandierender General XIII. Armeekorps), Generaloberst Johannes Blaskowitz (Oberbefehlshaber 8. Armee), Generaloberst Walther von Reichenau (blocked by Blaskowitz, Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee), and General der Flieger Albert Kesselring (Chef Luftflotte 1). Standing directly below Hitler is Generalmajor Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur Führer-Begleit-Bataillon). Photo by Hugo Jaeger, one of Hitler's personal photographer.

Siegesparade (Victory Parade) of German troops from 8. Armee in Warsaw, Poland, which were held on October 5, 1939. Standing in the podium, from left to right: Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht), Generalmajor Friedrich-Carl Cranz (Kommandeur 18. Infanterie-Division), General der Artillerie Emil Leeb (Kommandierender General XI. Armeekorps), Generaloberst Wilhelm Keitel (Chef der Oberkommando der Wehrmacht), and Generaloberst Walther von Reichenau (Oberbefehlshaber 10. Armee). In the invasion of Poland, 18. Infanterie-Division (Cranz) was under the command of XI. Armekorps (Leeb), which itself is a part of the 10. Armee (Reichenau). Standing directly below Hitler is Generalmajor Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur Führer-Begleit-Bataillon). Photo by Hugo Jaeger, one of Hitler's personal photographer.





Original color portraits of Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika") which was taken by Hitler's personal photographer Heinrich Hoffmann on 30 September 1942 when Rommel was presented his marschallstab (Marshal baton) by Hitler at Neue Reichskanzlei, Berlin. These would be 100% agfacolor color 35mm slide film taken by Hoffmann. Then the agfacolor film would have been converted to the standard color printing process of the time. A lot of the rich colours and debt from the agfacolor film would have been lost in the printing process. Much after 1943 most of these portraits were all photographed using color film.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2010/10/koleksi-ratusan-foto-berwarna-dari-life.html
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/hitler-jaeger-file/cgGOrCSjbQIRHQ?hl=en&ms=%7B%22x%22%3A0.5%2C%22y%22%3A0.5%2C%22z%22%3A9.8634121824318%2C%22size%22%3A%7B%22width%22%3A1.3223032994923862%2C%22height%22%3A1.2375000000000005%7D%7D
https://www.bpk-bildagentur.de/shop
https://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_nkw=erwin+rommel&Brand=&_dcat=1
https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-era-militaria/photos-and-paper-items-forum/13494062-rommel-postcard

The First Arrival of Rommel in North Africa

Tripoli, Libya, February 15, 1941. Parade of the first contingent of the newly arrived Afrikakorps in North Africa. This photo was taken by Kriegsberichter Sturm of KBK Lw 7 (Kriegsberichter-Kompanie Luftwaffe 7), and shows the Commander of the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK), Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel (second from right), who had just arrived at the parade site. He was greeted by Generale d'Armata Italo Gariboldi (left, Italian Governor-General in Libya). Joining the salute to Rommel's left was Generalmajor Johannes Streich (Kommandeur 5. leichte-Division), while between Gariboldi and Rommel stood Oberstleutnant Claus von dem Borne (Chef des Stabes Deutsches Afrikakorps).

Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel (Kommandierender General Deutsches Afrikakorps) during the parade of the first Afrikakorps contingent - newly arrived in North Africa - in Tripoli, Libya, February 15, 1941. Behind him stands two Italian officers (who were allies of Germany in World War II). The officer on the left of the picture (Rommel's right) is wearing the berretto (cap) insignia of colonnello (colonel) of the Stato Maggiore (Army High Command). However the shoulder board edging looks more like the thinner braid of a ufficiali inferiori than the thicker braid edging of a ufficiali superiori. The officer on the right of the picture (Rommel's left) appears to be a maresciallo of the CC.RR (Carabinieri Reali) or Military Police. In this photo, Rommel is still wearing his Continental uniform and hasn't changed into his tropical uniform, just like the majority of his troops. The first unit that was quick to change uniforms when it arrived in Africa was Flak-Regiment 33 (motorisiert) from the Luftwaffe, while its compatriots from the Army still wore "European" uniforms.

Source :
NARA - 242-EAPC
"Deutsche Afrikakorps (1941-1943)" by Ricardo Recio Cardona
https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/dba/de/search/?yearfrom=&yearto=&query=rommel

Rommel with Unknown Ritterkreuzträger in North Africa

 

General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Befehlshaber Panzergruppe "Afrika") with unknown Ritterkreuzträger in North Africa. Behind Rommel with face barely visible is Generalmajor Alfred Gause (Chef des Generalstabes Panzergruppe "Afrika"). The picture was taken in the period between July 1941 (Rommel promoted from Generalleutnant to General der Panzertruppe) and January 1942 (Rommel promoted to Generaloberst).

Source :
https://www.ebay.de/b/General-in-Militaria-Fotos-1900-1918-1945/15504/bn_7004515776

Rommel and His Leica Camera

Rommel pictured with his Leica camera, a gift from Joseph Goebbels. An ardent photographer, he often requested that his ADC take a shot that included him. During the French campaign he wrote to his wife, Lucie, requesting that she 'cut out all the newspaper articles' featuring him. Later during the evening of 7 February 1941, he penned a 'coded' letter to her explaining that his new assignment would hasten his 'rheumatism treatment', his physician having recommended the warm North African climate as a remedy for his condition.

Nazi propagandist Dr. Josef Goebbels knew by 1940 that he had something special in Rommel. He was a rebel who refused to play by the rules. He was personally brave, he always led from the front, and he drove himself as hard as his men. In fact it was Goebbels that was instrumental in him receiving the Leica III Rangefinder he was to use in Europe and his North African campaigns. Many 'photos of his authorship or probable authorship survive from the various theatres of war he was a part of.

Rommel even had a German propaganda staff Lieutenant Alfred Berndt, in North Africa who directed photographers and suggested poses for Rommel to appear in the propaganda magazines of the time.

In 1980, Gianni Rogliatti, a researcher discovers a letter in the Leica Wetzlar's archives. The correspondence is between Rommel and Leica's Dr Ernst Leitz. The letter was sent on 6 February 1943 with the letterhead bore the mark of the fearsome Panzerarmee Afrika".
 

The correspondence was addressed to Dr. Ernst Leitz, and Rommel gave thanks to him on his creation with camera serial number No. 375000. Rommel was a great admirer of the famous German camera, which he used with regularity and appreciated its legendary qualities.


TRANSLATION:

Panzer army Africa

The Supreme Commander

Headquarters, 6 February 1943


To Mr. Dr. Ernst Leitz, owner of the company, G.m.b.H., Ernst Leitz Wetzlar. Dear Mr. Leitz I would like to express my Special thanks to the Leica camera 375000 I was sent. I will be a faithful companion in my future work, since I know from personal experience what value has the photo, not only as a souvenir but also as study material and knowledge. Thank you also for your good wishes, of which we will have soon particularly need.

 

Heil Hitler!

Rommel

General field marshal


The camera with this serial number was never found and if it does pop up one day, you can bet t would be worth a small fortune.

Source :
"Rommel in North Africa: Quest for the Nile" by David Mitchelhill-Green
https://pravin73.wixsite.com/camera-sly/single-post/2017/05/01/rommels-leica-iii-rangefinder

Rommel Pushing a Car

 

This propaganda photo was taken by Kriegsberichter (War correspondent) Clement Valtingojer, and first published on February 9, 1942. It shows an iconic picture of Generaloberst Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee Afrika) as the "Common Man", helping to free up his Horch 901 Typ 40 Kfz.21 staff car alongside his men. Bundesarchiv identified the man behind Rommel as Oberstleutnant i.G. Siegfried Westphal, Ia a.k.a. Head of Operations of Panzerarmee Afrika. But I'm (Alif) definitely sure that this identification is wrong, because his face is 100% more like Major Friedrich-Wilhelm von Mellenthin, Ic a.k.a  Head of Intelligence of Panzerarmee Afrika. The Bundesarchiv (German National Archives) made a lot of mistakes in the identification of person and the timeline from his collection of photographs. An example is this photo itself, which is said to have been taken in January 1941, even though in that month Rommel had not yet arrived in Africa! Usually, when I see a difference in the date, place or identification of a person in a photo, I trust the caption from the Bayerische Staasbibliothek (Bavarian Archives) rather than the Bundesarchiv, because it is almost always more accurate.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-B20800,_Nordafrika,_Rommel_und_Westphal_schieben_Auto.jpg

Rommel Visiting the Sollum Front

 

 

Together with his staff officers, on 2 July 1941 General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (left, Kommandierender General Deutsches Afrikakorps) made a visit to the headquarters of I.Bataillon / Schützen-Regiment 104 / 15.Panzer-Division in the Sollum front, which is on the border Libya-Egypt. During this visit, in particular "Der Wüstenfuchs" (The Desert Fox) congratulated the commander of the battalion, Hauptmann der Reserve Wilhelm Bech (walking at the forefront with Rommel), who in the battle a month earlier managed to withstand the British tank forces who were trying to break through the Halfaya Pass in order to free their comrades who were besieged in Tobruk, in a mass attack codenamed Operation Battleaxe (15-17 June 1941). For three full days Bach and his men endured wave after wave of enemy tank attacks, with only a platoon of Flak 88 cannons as their main weapon. Although Rommel himself had ordered the Bataillonskommandeur to retreat to a more adequate defensive location "if possible", Bach interpreted his commander's last words in the opposite direction: a counterattack that succeeded in repelling the British troops! For this phenomenal achievement, Bach - who is a former priest (!) - was awarded the prestigious Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on July 9, 1941, just a week after this photo was taken. The Flak 88 itself was originally an anti-aircraft gun, but it can be just as good when it comes to hitting tank targets on the ground. BTW, in April 1941 - which was only one month after Rommel arrived in North Africa - German forces managed to defeat the invading British army and driven it out of Libya, except for one stubborn ANZAC garrison which remained in the port city of Tobruk (despite being besieged by a combined force of Italian and German Afrikakorps). Over the next year, the re-capture of Tobruk became Rommel's biggest obsession, because without it all German efforts to conquer Egypt would be vulnerable. When the port city was finally occupied in June 1942, a grateful Hitler rewarded Rommel with an extraordinary promotion to Generalfeldmarschall.

Source :
https://www.bridgemanimages.com/en/search?filter_group=all&filter_region=GBR&filter_text=Erwin%20Rommel

Rommel in a Conference at Canteleu

 

On 30 March 1944, Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) held a meeting with Wehrmacht officers in Canteleu, Normandy, to discuss the development of the German defense network being built there. This photo shows the former Commander of the Afrikakorps pointed his finger to the map, while in front of him in attention is Generalleutnant Wilhelm Richter (Kommandeur 716. Infanterie-Division). The bald officer standing in the center is General der Panzertruppe Adolf-Friedrich Kuntzen (Kommandierender General LXXXI. Armekorps). Other high-ranking Wehrmacht officers who were present at the meeting in Canteleu but do not shows in this photo includes: Generalfeldmarschall Gerd von Rundstedt (Oberbefehlshaber West), Generalleutnant Rudolf Hofmann (Chef des Generalstabes 15. Armee), Generalleutnant Dietrich Kraiss (Kommandeur 352. Infanterie -Division), and Generalmajor Rudolf Stegmann (Kommandeur 77. Infanterie-Division).

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2403273#p2403273

Rommel and Luftwaffe Ace Joachim Müncheberg

 

 

 

The meeting between Oberleutnant Joachim Müncheberg (Staffelkapitän 7.Staffel / III.Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 26) and the "Desert Fox" General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Kommandierender General Deutsches Afrikakorps) in North Africa, June-July 1941. Behind them parked a Heinkel He 111 H4 VG+ES (WNr 4085) medium bomber which served as the "Kurierstaffel vbz Africa" ​​(Rommel's private transport plane). Here Rommel seems to be or has already made an air trip, which can be seen from the schwimmweste (life jacket) he is wearing. Meanwhile, not visible from this angle is the bandage on Müncheberg's left knee that he received after he got injured in a sport competition in Erfurt in May 1941 (he fell during a 110-meter hurdles race!). Oberleutnant Müncheberg and his leading Staffel are the only elements of the Jagdgeschwader 26 (JG 26) operating in North Africa, and that too only during June and July. During his brief existence, 7. Staffel was recorded to have shot down eight British aircraft, with five of them being recorded by the Staffelkapitän! This photo was taken by Kriegsberichter Opper of KB-Kp. Lw. 7 (Kriegsberichter-Kompanie Luftwaffe 7). Notice the field-modified sandals from the shoes worn by Joachim Müncheberg!

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joachim_M%C3%BCncheberg

Rommel and Friedrich-Wilhelm von Mellenthin

 

Erwin Rommel (wearing Ritterkreuz) with his Afrikakorps. Third from right is one of his staff, Friedrich-Wilhelm von Mellenthin, the latter Generalmajor.

Source :
https://www.facebook.com/FriedrichWilhelmvonMellenthin/photos/a.10156420008969546/10156420009199546

Rommel at Kriegsschule Potsdam

 

From left to right: Oberstleutnant Johannes Frießner (Lehrgruppenkommandeur der Lehrgruppe B an der Kriegsschule Potsdam), Oberst Wilhelm Wetzel (Kommandeur Kriegsschule Potsdam), and Oberstleutnant Erwin Rommel (Lehrgruppenkommandeur der Lehrgruppe A an der Kriegsschule Potsdam). There is no description of when and where this photo was taken, but most likely it was in the summer of 1937 when the three men were both serving at the Kriegsschule Potsdam. During his tenure at the German Army's most important war school, Rommel took the time to wrote the book "Infanterie Greift an" (Infantry Attack), which were later being used as a handbook on the training of the foot soldiers in many countries. In 1936 Rommel was served temporarily as Hitler's bodyguard at the Nürnberg Reichsparteitag. The Führer was so impressed by the skills of the talented young officer that he chose Rommel to be the commander of his headquarters and personal bodyguard unit for the period of 1938-1940. The three person depicted in this picture were latter awarded the prestigious Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, with Rommel receive the highest grade: Brillanten.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2282081#p2282081

Rommel and Kriegsschule

From left to right: Oberstleutnant Johannes Frießner (Lehrgruppenkommandeur der Lehrgruppe B an der Kriegsschule Potsdam), Oberst Wilhelm Wetzel (Kommandeur Kriegsschule Potsdam), and Oberstleutnant Erwin Rommel (Lehrgruppenkommandeur der Lehrgruppe A an der Kriegsschule Potsdam). There is no description of when and where this photo was taken, but most likely it was in the summer of 1937 when the three men were both serving at the Kriegsschule Potsdam. During his tenure at the German Army's most important war school, Rommel took the time to wrote the book "Infanterie Greift an" (Infantry Attack), which were later being used as a handbook on the training of the foot soldiers in many countries. In 1936 Rommel was served temporarily as Hitler's bodyguard at the Nürnberg Reichsparteitag. The Führer was so impressed by the skills of the talented young officer that he chose Rommel to be the commander of his headquarters and personal bodyguard unit for the period of 1938-1940. The three person depicted in this picture were latter awarded the prestigious Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, with Rommel receive the highest grade: Brillanten.

Source :
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2282081#p2282081

Rommel Posing While His Car Stuck

General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Befehlshaber Panzergruppe "Afrika") posing while his command car is stuck to its axles in the Libyan mud. He is wearing the scarf made by his daughter. The picture was taken between July 1941 - January 1942.

Source :
ECPAD Archive (courtesy of Blanluet Christophe)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158282744703308&set=p.10158282744703308&type=1&theater

Rommel Sitting with His Officer in France 1940

Generalmajor Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division) in France 1940. This picture is one of 854 photographs from the Rommel Photograph Collection located in the US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).  The photographs depict military activities in the French campaign and were taken by various German photographers and copies provided to General Rommel as a courtesy.  There are photos of equipment and troops in action, landscape scenes, as well as photos of Rommel and a few other German leaders.  The collection contains scanned jpeg images of every photograph of the French campaign in the NARA collection (except for the duplicates).  Includes images of 12 Heinrich Hoffman photographs of Rommel’s visit with Hitler.  Each photo was scanned at 600 dpi and if captioned, the reverse was scanned at 150 dpi.  Since most photographs in the collection are not captioned, the scans are not cataloged, although they are organized by photograph type and, when possible, grouped by subject.  Some of the photographs are dated and captioned in German.

Source :
http://www.digitalhistoryarchive.com/wwii-photographs.html

Rommel Wearing Stahlhelm

Generalmajor Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division) at the "Hoth Tag" event held in front of the Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux, France, 29 June 1940 (other versions mention 1 July 1940 as the date). To the right is his aide, Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Schraepler. On 24 June 1940, 7. Panzer-Division arrived in Bordeaux. Five days later, the division held a victory parade in the streets of the city in northern France under the direct leadership of the Divisionskommandeur Rommel. Until the spring of 1941, 7. Panzer-Division spent a period of rest and refitting at the "Camp de Sougè", located in Martignas-sur-Jalle. All of this information comes from a letter sent by Rommel to his beloved wife, Lucie, dated 6 January 1941. The position of his own division was as a reserve force of the Wehrmacht, prepared for Unternehmen Seelöwe (Operation Sea Lion, the planned German invasion of England). The invasion was later called off after the Luftwaffe was battered in the Battle of Britain. BTW, I believe this is the only picture showing Rommel wearing stahlhelm (steel helmet)!

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2012/03/album-foto-erwin-rommel-sebagai_10.html
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1970-076-43,_Paris,_Erwin_Rommel_bei_Siegesparade.jpg