Rommel Visiting 21. Panzer-Division in France

FIRST VISIT (18 MAY 1944)

On Thursday, 18 May 1944, Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) visited the 21. Panzer-Division base at Maisons-Laffitte, northern France. At 8:00 AM, when Rommel arrived at the HQ of Panzer-Regiment 200. there was nobody! When the Regimentskommandeur, Oberst Hermann von Oppeln-Bronikowski, eventually arrived, trailing alcohol fumes, Rommel snorted: “You’re lazy stinkers! What happens if the enemy invasion begins before eight-thirty?” The colonel gasped, “Catastrophe!” and slumped into a chair. Amazingly, the field marshal took no action. Ruge explained in his diary, “Rommel saw at once that he was a good fellow, and he didn’t hold this lapse against him.”

The reformed 21st Pz Div came into existence in Normandy in mid-1943, and was the only panzer division over which Rommel had been allowed to exercise any control prior to the invasion. He had practised them when they were stationed just south of Caen, in various manoeuvres to exploit any momentary weaknesses of the enemy just after landing. Although the Division contained some Afrikakorps veterans, it was equipped with poorly armoured light tanks and had been rated as unfit for service on the Eastern Front. After the withdrawal through France it was assigned to Army Group G. It was commanded throughout its second existence by Edgar Feuchtinger (last rank Generalleutnant), an artilleryman born in Metz in 1894. Most of division’s officers had never had anything to do with tanks before. Divisionskommandeur Edgar Feuchtinger had resourcefully mechanized the unit with an extraordinary array of captured Czech, French and Russian tanks. If the enemy invaded Normandy, Feuchtinger’s would be the only panzer division on the spot!

Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) shaking hands with the officers of 21. Panzer-Division, introduced by Divisionskommandeur Generalmajor Edgar Feuchtinger who stands behind Rommel.



Accompanied by Generalmajor Edgar Feuchtinger (right, Kommandeur 21. Panzer-Division) and Hauptmann Dr.-Ing. Alfred Becker (left, Kommandeur Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 200 / 21.Panzer-Division), Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) inspecting the war machines of 21. Panzer-Division. In the background parked a 15cm heavy field howitzer stands on a French Lorraine Schlepper (Tank Supply Tractor).



Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) inspecting the war machines of 21. Panzer-Division, accompanied by the Divisionskommandeur, Generalmajor Edgar Feuchtinger. In the background parked a 15cm heavy field howitzer stands on a French Lorraine Schlepper (Tank Supply Tractor).



Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) inspecting the war machines of 21. Panzer-Division, accompanied by the Divisionskommandeur, Generalmajor Edgar Feuchtinger.



Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) inspecting the war machines of 21. Panzer-Division, accompanied by the Divisionskommandeur, Generalmajor Edgar Feuchtinger. Shown here is the Jagdpanzer Marder 1 105mm self-propelled artillery (Panzerhaubitze) based on the French H39 chassis.



Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) tasting the soldier's meal. In the background is Generalmajor Edgar Feuchtinger (Kommandeur 21. Panzer-Division).



Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) tasting the soldier's meal. At left is Generalmajor Edgar Feuchtinger (Kommandeur 21. Panzer-Division).


Parade of the war machines of 21. Panzer-Division in front of Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) and Generalmajor Edgar Feuchtinger (Kommandeur 21. Panzer-Division)

Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) speaks in front of the members of 21. Panzer-Division. These soldiers probably in the middle of a gas prevention training, judging from their gas-mask in use.

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SECOND VISIT (30 MAY 1944)

On Tuesday 30 May 1944, After seeing a demonstration of smoke projectors and 80mm caliber multi-rocket launchers on the Riva-Bella beach, in the afternoon Generalfeldmarschall Rommel continued his tour by inspecting war machines belonging to 21. Panzer-Division. The inspection took place at Bois de Lébisey, Hérouville-Saint-Clair (6 km north of Caen), and was Rommel's second visit to 21. Panzer-Division headquarters after the first at Rouen which took place on 18 May 1944.

Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) inspects members of an assault gun battalion standing in front of their guns—10.5cm leFH 18 (Sf.) auf Geschützwagen 39H(f)—a self-propelled howitzer designed by Alfred Becker—in Normandy, France, a month before the Allied invasion. Only 48 were produced during the war.

Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
Bundesarchiv photo collection
"The Armies of Rommel" by George Forty
"The Trail of the Fox: The Search for the True Field Marshal Rommel" by David Irving
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/erwin-rommel-northern-france.html?sortBy=relevant
https://www.facebook.com/worldwarincolor/photos/a.393169424146189/643834395746356/?type=3

Rommel and Paul Hausser in 1943

Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (left, Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B) and SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Paul Hausser (Kommandierender General II. SS-Panzerkorps). The picture was probably taken at the northern sector of the Italian front, autumn 1943, when Hausser and his troops involved in the anti-partisan operation in Slovenia. Rommel just recently chosen as the Commander in Chief of Army Group B, and he is still wearing his tropical uniform used in North Africa.

Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/294323576591

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 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 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 and Führer Begleit-Bataillon

Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) was warmly welcomed by the Volksdeutsche (Germans living abroad) upon arriving at Maslow airfield, Poland, 10 September 1939. Facing the camera in the middle is Generalmajor Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur Führer-Begleit-Bataillon) who was responsible for the security of the Führer during his visits to Poland (4-26 September 1939 and 5 October 1939). On 10 September 1939 Hitler visited Opole/Oppeln, Końskie and Kielce, while on 11 September he was in Tomaszów and Illnau.

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)

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/2012/03/album-foto-erwin-rommel-sebagai.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://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/138/12b23fe47a8541af41ec3c8e9adc4e97/

Erwin Rommel at Heraklion Airfield (Crete)

On 25 October 1942, the legendary Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Africa") - a.k.a. "The Desert Fox" - made a brief stop on the Greek island of Crete on his way to his base of operations in North Africa. At Heraklion airfield, he was greeted by Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller (Kommmandeur 22. Infanterie-Division), who was the commander of the German troops on the island, and Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau (Fliegerführer "Africa"). Rommel himself was accompanied by Generalmajor Alfred Gause (Chef des Generalstabes Panzerarmee "Africa"). In these photos - by Kriegsberichter Hans Gross from Luftwaffe K.B.K. 7 - Rommel and Gause are wearing schwimmweste (life jackets). Meanwhile, Müller wore a tropenuniform (tropical uniform) and Waldau wore a Luftwaffe feldbluse (field uniform).

At the airfield of Heraklion, Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel inspects the guard of honor while with the back to the camera is Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller and Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau.


At the airfield of Heraklion, Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel is greeted by Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau. Between them is Generalmajor Alfred Gause, Rommel's Chief of Staff.


Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel is walking with his entourages after landing in Heraklion airfield, Crete. From left to right: Rommel, Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller, unknown Luftwaffe officer, Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau, and Generalmajor Alfred Gause.

 

At the airfield of Heraklion, Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel salutes Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau.



At the airfield of Heraklion, Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel chats with Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau. Behind Rommel is Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller.



At the airfield of Heraklion, Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel with Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau.

From left to right: Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller (Kommmandeur 22. Infanterie-Division), Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Africa"), and Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau (Fliegerführer "Africa").



At the airfield of Heraklion (Crete), Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel in the company of Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau.



Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel with Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller at his side. Half visible at far right is Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau.

At the airfield of Heraklion (Crete), Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel in the company of Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller.

 

At the airfield of Heraklion (Crete), Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel in the company of Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau. Behind them is Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller.

At the airfield of Heraklion (Crete), Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel step down the stairs, followed by Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller and Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau.

 

At the airfield of Heraklion (Crete), wearing a life jacket, Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel is preparing to leave. Nearest to the camera is Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau, while at far right is Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller.

As Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel takes his place in the Dornier Do-215, Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau chats with an unidentified Luftwaffe officer. Blocked by von Waldau is Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller.

 

On board a Dornier Do-215, Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel leaves the field of Heraklion for El Alamein, Egypt.

Generalleutnant Otto Hoffmann von Waldau, Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Müller and Luftwaffe airmen watches together while Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel's plane leave the Heraklion airfield (Crete) and flew to El Alamein, Egypt.

Source :
https://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2021/08/foto-friedrich-wilhelm-muller-jenderal.html
https://imagesdefense.gouv.fr/fr/sur-le-terrain-d-aviation-d-heraklion-crete-le-marechal-erwin-rommel-en-compagnie-du-general-generalleutnant-von-waldau.html