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

Rommel on an Inspection Tript to Atlantikwall

 

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).

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

Rommel Awarded the German Medal for His Italian Allies

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.

Source :
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/1226/12b23fe47a8541af41ec3c8e9adc4e97/

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/

Rommel and Hitler Welcomed by Volksdeutsche in Poland

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.

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2012/03/album-foto-erwin-rommel-sebagai.html
https://audiovis.nac.gov.pl/obraz/138/12b23fe47a8541af41ec3c8e9adc4e97/

Rommel with His Panzer Officers in France

Divisionskommandeur Rommel is having a casual discussion with his officers from the Panzer-Regiment 25 / 7.Panzer-Division near the banks of the river Seine (France), mid-June 1940. From left to right: Major Franz von Lindenau (Kommandeur I.Abteilung / Panzer -Regiment 25), Oberst Karl Rothenburg (Kommandeur Panzer-Regiment 25), Major Casimir Kentel (Kommandeur II.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 25), Hauptmann Adelbert Schulz (Chef 1.Kompanie / I.Abteilung / Panzer-Regiment 25), Generalmajor Erwin Rommel (Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division), and Major iG Otto Heidkämper (Ia Erster Generalstabsoffizier 7. Panzer-Division). In the Battle of France, 7. Panzer-Division was equipped with outdated Czechoslovakian tanks (some of them are visible in the background). The division, resuming its advance on 5 June, drove for the River Seine to secure the bridges near Rouen. Advancing 100 kilometres (62 mi) in two days, the division reached Rouen to find the bridges destroyed. From here they moved north, blocking the westward route to Le Havre and the Operation Cycle evacuations and forcing over 10,000 men of the 51st (Highland) Division, French 9th Army Corps and other supporting troops to surrender at Saint-Valery-en-Caux on 12 June.

Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1972-045-08
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7th_Panzer_Division_(Wehrmacht)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1972-045-08,_Westfeldzug,_Rommel_bei_Besprechung_mit_Offizieren.jpg

Rommel Studying Maps in France

Generalmajor Erwin Rommel (seated at left, Kommandeur 7. Panzer-Division) studying maps with his officers. This photo was taken during the German invasion of France, May 1940.

 
Source :
Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1972-045-02
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_146-1972-045-02,_Frankreich,_Erwin_Rommel_und_Offiziere_mit_Karten.jpg

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

The First Days of Rommel as a Divisionskommandeur

Generalmajor Erwin Rommel was appointed as a Commander of the 7. The Panzer-Division, replacing Generalleutnant Georg Stumme, in February 1940. At first he made a less-than-promising impression when - on the first day of his arrival - saluted his senior commanders with a Nazi salute instead of a usual military salute! (though Rommel was eventually forced to commit suicide in 1944 for alleged involvement in the anti-Hitler movement, but in 1939 he was Head of Hitler's Bodyguard Battalion and, as such, had become a Nazi fanatic in 1940). The "newbie" Division Commander also offended his officers when he said that most of the 7th Panzer-Division were comes from Thuringia, a region that is considered rarely producing quality soldiers! Not enough, Rommel immediately ordered a general inspection of the entire army the next day – which happened to be a Sunday – which was an unusual thing to do and, therefore, very unpopular with the soldiers. All of this, coupled with the fact that Rommel was seen as a mere “Hitler's consignment” and had no experience in an armored unit at all, made most of the 7th Panzer-Division officers hate him. Rommel realized this too, and he overcame it in one drastic measure: on February 29, 1940 Rommel suddenly fired a battalion commander who was considered a nuisance, and made him leave the division headquarters in just an hour and a half! This ruthless act of tolerance shocked the entire division, and forced them to obey Rommel's further instructions - at first reluctantly, but then done with a full support when they saw that the Divisionskommandeur always at the forefront of every battle, slept in the tent with the grass as a floor, and ate the same rations eaten by the lowest-ranking soldiers in his unit!

Source :
"Rommel's Lieutenants: The Men Who Served the Desert Fox" by Samuel W. Mitcham
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2012/03/album-foto-erwin-rommel-sebagai_10.html

Portraits of Rommel

 

Generalmajor Erwin Rommel is wearing the Offiziermantel (officer coat) in this photo, taken in early 1940. He is still wearing the Pour le Mérite that he received in World War One, while there is still no additional Ritterkreuz medal around his neck. Rommel himself was awarded the Pour le Mérite, the German Empire's highest medal of courage, in the First World War - on December 10, 1917 - after the Battle of Caporetto which he captured 7,000 Italian soldiers with only 100 men! Rommel's first combat command in World War II was as Commander of the 7th Panzer-Division. which he led in the fighting in France in 1940. During the campaign, 7. The Panzer-Division suffered more casualties than any other division throughout the Wehrmacht: it lost 2,594 men (including 682 killed, 1,646 wounded, and 266 missing) - which accounts for 20 percent of its total force - plus 39 tanks destroyed. But all of these sacrifices were paid for with great achievements: from May to June 1940, 7. Panzer-Division captured 97,486 Allied soldiers, c458 tanks and other armored vehicles, seized 277 field guns, 64 anti-tank guns., 4,000-5,000 trucks, as well as destroying dozens of other vehicles. Not only that, this division was also able to seize or destroy hundreds of tons of other very valuable military equipment, as well as shoot down 52 warplanes (plus destroying 15 aircraft on the ground and confiscate 12 others intact). 7. Panzer-Division also managed to capture the Commander of the French Atlantic Fleet and four admirals, a French Army Corps Commander, 15-20 other French generals, and one British general. In the process, the division emerged surprisingly from the dense Ardennes Forest, broke through the defenses on the banks of the Meuse River in Dinart, and advanced through Belgium and northern France. All forces that came in his way were mercilessly crushed (including the French 1st Armored Division and the 4th North African Division), and their swift movement allowed them to penetrate the extension of the Maginot Line near Sivry, and withstand the largest Allied counterattack in the Battle of France, deployed in the open field of Arras. Subsequently, 7. Panzer-Division played an important role in the siege and destruction of the mighty French 1st Army at Lille, which was followed by a rapid advance southward, storming through the Somme and Seine, and ended with the capture - after a fierce battle - of the main French port of St. Valery and Cherbourg... and all of this amazing achievement was done almost without the help of the rest of the German units! The 7. Panzer-Division was nicknamed the "Gespenster Division" (Ghost Division) by the Wehrmacht high ranking officers in Berlin, who were often confused by the fact that how often this division were "lost" without news for days, only to reappear with a shocking victory far away through enemy territory! By the time the French finally surrendered, the division was about 320 kilometers from the border with Spain. It could be said that in the period from February 5, 1940 to February 15, 1941, Erwin Rommel had performed very well for his duties as a Divisionskommandeur!


Generalmajor Erwin Rommel was appointed as a Commander of the 7. The Panzer-Division, replacing Generalleutnant Georg Stumme, in February 1940. At first he made a less-than-promising impression when - on the first day of his arrival - saluted his senior commanders with a Nazi salute instead of a usual military salute! (though Rommel was eventually forced to commit suicide in 1944 for alleged involvement in the anti-Hitler movement, but in 1939 he was Head of Hitler's Bodyguard Battalion and, as such, had become a Nazi fanatic in 1940). The "newbie" Division Commander also offended his officers when he said that most of the 7th Panzer-Division were comes from Thuringia, a region that is considered rarely producing quality soldiers! Not enough, Rommel immediately ordered a general inspection of the entire army the next day – which happened to be a Sunday – which was an unusual thing to do and, therefore, very unpopular with the soldiers. All of this, coupled with the fact that Rommel was seen as a mere “Hitler's consignment” and had no experience in an armored unit at all, made most of the 7th Panzer-Division officers hate him. Rommel realized this too, and he overcame it in one drastic measure: on February 29, 1940 Rommel suddenly fired a battalion commander who was considered a nuisance, and made him leave the division headquarters in just an hour and a half! This ruthless act of tolerance shocked the entire division, and forced them to obey Rommel's further instructions - at first reluctantly, but then done with a full support when they saw that the Divisionskommandeur always at the forefront of every battle, slept in the tent with the grass as a floor, and ate the same rations eaten by the lowest-ranking soldiers in his unit!

 

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).

 

Source :
"Rommel's Lieutenants: The Men Who Served the Desert Fox" by Samuel W. Mitcham
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2012/03/album-foto-erwin-rommel-sebagai_10.html
https://historical.ha.com/itm/autographs/non-american/erwin-rommel-signed-photograph/a/6149-49182.s

Rommel Achievement as a Commander of 7. Panzer-Division

 

Generalmajor Erwin Rommel is wearing the Offiziermantel (officer coat) in this photo, taken in early 1940. He is still wearing the Pour le Mérite that he received in World War One, while there is still no additional Ritterkreuz medal around his neck. Rommel himself was awarded the Pour le Mérite, the German Empire's highest medal of courage, in the First World War - on December 10, 1917 - after the Battle of Caporetto which he captured 7,000 Italian soldiers with only 100 men! Rommel's first combat command in World War II was as Commander of the 7th Panzer-Division. which he led in the fighting in France in 1940. During the campaign, 7. The Panzer-Division suffered more casualties than any other division throughout the Wehrmacht: it lost 2,594 men (including 682 killed, 1,646 wounded, and 266 missing) - which accounts for 20 percent of its total force - plus 39 tanks destroyed. But all of these sacrifices were paid for with great achievements: from May to June 1940, 7. Panzer-Division captured 97,486 Allied soldiers, c458 tanks and other armored vehicles, seized 277 field guns, 64 anti-tank guns., 4,000-5,000 trucks, as well as destroying dozens of other vehicles. Not only that, this division was also able to seize or destroy hundreds of tons of other very valuable military equipment, as well as shoot down 52 warplanes (plus destroying 15 aircraft on the ground and confiscate 12 others intact). 7. Panzer-Division also managed to capture the Commander of the French Atlantic Fleet and four admirals, a French Army Corps Commander, 15-20 other French generals, and one British general. In the process, the division emerged surprisingly from the dense Ardennes Forest, broke through the defenses on the banks of the Meuse River in Dinart, and advanced through Belgium and northern France. All forces that came in his way were mercilessly crushed (including the French 1st Armored Division and the 4th North African Division), and their swift movement allowed them to penetrate the extension of the Maginot Line near Sivry, and withstand the largest Allied counterattack in the Battle of France, deployed in the open field of Arras. Subsequently, 7. Panzer-Division played an important role in the siege and destruction of the mighty French 1st Army at Lille, which was followed by a rapid advance southward, storming through the Somme and Seine, and ended with the capture - after a fierce battle - of the main French port of St. Valery and Cherbourg... and all of this amazing achievement was done almost without the help of the rest of the German units! The 7. Panzer-Division was nicknamed the "Gespenster Division" (Ghost Division) by the Wehrmacht high ranking officers in Berlin, who were often confused by the fact that how often this division were "lost" without news for days, only to reappear with a shocking victory far away through enemy territory! By the time the French finally surrendered, the division was about 320 kilometers from the border with Spain. It could be said that in the period from February 5, 1940 to February 15, 1941, Erwin Rommel had performed very well for his duties as a Divisionskommandeur!

 

Source :
http://alifrafikkhan.blogspot.com/2012/03/album-foto-erwin-rommel-sebagai_10.html