Erwin Rommel

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Generalmajor Rommel with 35(t) Tanks

Generalmajor Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division) with map and binoculars on foot on the way to the Scarpe section, while Panzer 35(t)s is waiting on the left. The picture was taken around the end of May or beginning of June 1940 at Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1998-043-20A

Sunday, September 19, 2021

Rommel in an Award Ceremony

Award ceremony in Reichskanzlei, Berlin, 25 March 1941: Adolf Hitler (Führer und Reichskanzler) decorates Generalleutnant Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division) with Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub #10 (Knight's Cross with the Iron Crosses Nr.10). The man in the picture is Hitler's clossest ally, Benito Mussolini.

Adolf Hitler (Führer und Oberste Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) awarded the Schwertern Grosse Urkunde (certificate for the medal of Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) to General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Befehlshaber Panzergruppe Afrika), in Führerhauptquartier Vinnitsa, Ukraine. The picture was taken in 25 March 1942, while the medal itself had been given previously in 20 Januari 1942.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35529/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Rommel and Adolf Hitler

-1939-

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.

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-1941-

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/

Eichenlaub Award Ceremony for Rommel

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/35529/16681a180a83d321351d3a71c29af66e/

Rommel and Heeresgruppe B

This photo is come from the private collection of Hauptmann Hellmuth Lang, Rommel's personal aide, and shows Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B und Generalinspekteur der Küstenbefestigungen West) sitting in a car on an inspection trip to the German stronghold Atlantikwall in the Western Front. The German Marshal wears a schirmmütze (visor hat) on his head and a ledermantel (leather coat) over the outer layers of his uniform. Around his neck hung the Brillanten zum Ritterkreuz medal, which was only given to the selected 27 people in the entire German Armed Forces. The cold air made him wear leather gloves, which he used to hold the interimstab (the marshal baton). This photo appears to be a Rommel's personal gift to his aide, which can be seen from the addition of his original signature. There is no information on when this photo was taken, but at least in the period between February to June 1944. The reason is that it was only during this period that Rommel wore a leather coat during his inspections, while in the previous two months - December 1943 and January 1944 - from his appointment as a Commander-in-Chief of Heersgruppe B, he preferred to wear the Generalmantel (general's coat).

From left to right: Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel (Oberbefehlshaber Heeresgruppe B) and SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Josef "Sepp" Dietrich (Kommandierender General I. SS-Panzerkorps) photographed on the invasion front in Normandy, 17 July 1944.

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/
https://historical.ha.com/itm/autographs/non-american/erwin-rommel-signed-photograph/a/6149-49182.s

Rommel and Sepp Dietrich in Normandy

Source :
http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/post/141277708232/generalfeldmarschall-erwin-rommel-and

Bibliography

WEBSITE

https://www.ebay.de/b/General-in-Militaria-Fotos-1900-1918-1945/15504/bn_7004515776
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/

PHOTO ARCHIVE

https://www.alamy.com/
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/
https://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/dba/de/
https://www.bpk-bildagentur.de/
https://www.gettyimages.com/

FORUM

https://forum.axishistory.com/index.php

BLOG

http://5sswiking.tumblr.com/
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/
http://ritterkreuztraeger.blogspot.com/

BOOK

"Discovering The Rommel Murder: The Life And Death Of The Desert Fox" by Charles F. Marshall

Rommel and Afrikakorps

-1941-

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). Other pictures from this event can be seen HERE.

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).

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!

2 July 1941: General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Kommandierender General Deutsches Afrikakorps) reviewing the German and Italian troops stationed at Sollum after their victory against the English operation under the code name "Brevity", on May 15, 1941. In this occasion, Rommel also expresses his gratitude to the brave German soldiers and their Italian comrades after the successful tank battle at Sollum, and delivering some awards.

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.

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).

From left to right: Generalmajor (Luftwaffe) Stefan Fröhlich (Fliegerführer Afrika), unidentified Italian officer (does someone know his name?), Generalmajor Alfred Gause (Chef des Generalstabes Panzergruppe Afrika), and General der Panzertruppe Erwin Rommel (Kommandierender General Panzergruppe Afrika). The picture was taken between September-November 1941.

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

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-1942-

On 9 February 1942, Generaloberst Erwin Rommel (left, Oberbefehlshaber Panzerarmee "Afrika") awarded the Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse to two of his allied Italian generals, Generale di Corpo d'Armata Gastone Gambara (center, Italian XIX Corps Commander) and Generale d'Armata Ettore Bastico (right, Commander-in-Chief of the Italian Army in North Africa). Latter, Bastico would also receive a higher-ranking German medal - Deutsches Kreuz in Gold - on 5 December 1942. Behind Rommel is stood Generale di Brigata Giorgio Calvi di Bergolo (Chief of Staff of the Italian liaison officer with Panzerarmee "Afrika"). Photo by Kriegsberichter Ernst Alexander Zwilling.

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.

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 :
Bundesarchiv
NARA Archives
"Deutsche Afrikakorps (1941-1943)" by Ricardo Recio Cardona
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erwin_Rommel

Rommel with Stefan Fröhlich and Alfred Gause

Source :
NARA Archive via Thomas E. Nutter
http://ritterkreuztraeger.blogspot.com/2016/03/frohlich-cruwell-and-rommel.html