Rommel and Erwin Menny

General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Kommandierender General Deutsches Afrikakorps) directs the movements of his force with Oberst Erwin Menny (Kommandeur 15.Schützen-Brigade / 15.Panzer-Division) in North Africa. The picture was taken before Menny received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes (26 December 1941).

Source :
Jim Haley photo collection
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6821659/Deadly-Panzer-tanks-heavy-weaponry-Rommel-used-against-Allies-WWII.html

Rommel Visit to Batterie Rozenburg

Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (center, Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) during inspection trip to the Batterie Rozenburg (Hoek van Holland), 26 March 1944. At left is Kapitän zur See Frank Aschmann (Seekommandant Südholland). On the left of Rommel is General der Infanterie Hans-Wolfgang Reinhard (Kommandierender General LXXXVIII. Armeekorps), while on the right next to Rommel and Hauptmann Hellmuth Lang (wearing black Panzertruppen uniform, Ordonnanzoffizier Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B) is Generalmajor Carl Wahle (Kommandeur 719. Infanterie-Division). The officer with helmet and binoculars must be the Batterie kommandant. The heaviest coastal battery in the Netherlands was stationed in the Festung Hoek van Holland; Marine-Küsten-Batterie Rozenburg (Naval Coastal Battery ‘Rozenburg’) (XV) was stationed south of the estuary. To the north of the estuary were batteries Vineta (III) and Monster (VI). The picture was taken by Kriegsberichter Jesse of KBZ OB West (Kriegsberichter-Zug Oberbefehlshaber West).

Source :
https://www.atlantikwall-museum.nl/coastal-battery.html
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=147822&sid=78d82b8f0bb769a3633ae37dee35a1d5&start=495

Rommel Chats with Ugo Cavallero

From left to right: Maresciallo d'Italia Ugo Cavallero (chief of the Italian High Command), Generalmajor Alfred Gause (Chef des Generalstabes Panzerarmee "Afrika"), and Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika"). No information about date or place, but surely in North Africa after June 1942. Cavallero had a rather conflicting relationship with Rommel, whose advance into Egypt after his success at the Battle of Gazala he opposed, advocating instead the planned invasion of Malta; his opinion, shared by Kesselring and Rintelen, was however discounted by Hitler and Mussolini.

Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ugo_Cavallero
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?p=2469114#p2469114

Rommel and Afrikakorps (Jim Haley Photo Collection)

 

Source:
Jim Haley photo collection

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 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 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 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 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 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