August 4, 2009 (Tuesday)
In the city of Ulm, on the Danube River in Germany, is the tallest church in the world. Construction began in the 1400's and proceeded for five hundred years. During the process it went from Catholic to Lutheran. I attended a Christmas Eve service there in 1955. I noticed in the foyer names of persons who had made special contributions. Among those names was Erwin Rommel. I visited the home of Erwin Rommel in Ulm. It had become an orphanage. I walked up the circle drive where this favorite German general was picked up one afternoon in a staff car and told to take a cyanide tablet or he would be put on trial for attempting to assassinate Adolph Hiter. He chose the cyanide. His death was claimed to be from an injury he had received, so Rommel was given a state funeral. Did he actually participate in the plot to kill Hitler? I am not sure anyone really knows.
Rommel was called "The Desert Fox". Churchill grudgingly called him a great general. He had some brilliant victories and some humbling defeats. He was placed in charge of the defenses along the coast in France. When it appeared the invasion would not be until late June or even July Rommel went home to Germany for his wife's birthday. It was June 6... D-Day.
Rommel had the support of his troops. Like Patton, for the United States, you might find the Desert Fox up or near the front lines. He was indeed a great general. He was following the wrong man and purpose and met a deserved defeat. If I had to name a favorite German general it would be Rommel. However, none of them are deserving of our praise.
