Erwin Rommel — once Hitler's favorite general. After his success as commander of a panzer division in 1940, Rommel was given command of German forces in Africa, known to the world as the "Afrika Korps." Here, his tactical genius was recognized even by his enemies. His ability to inspire troops and provide decisive leadership despite limited resources impressed Hitler, and he was promoted to Field Marshal.
In 1943, Hitler assigned Rommel the responsibility of strengthening the "Atlantic Wall" along the French coast—the massive defense line being built to prevent an inevitable Allied invasion. But as the war unfolded, Rommel's confidence began to waver. By early 1943, he began to realize that a German victory was becoming impossible. The devastation within the country, the crumbling morale of civilians, and the Allied bombings severely eroded his confidence.
During his travels, Rommel discovered the true brutality of the Nazi regime—concentration camps, forced labor, and the extermination of Jews. He realized that continuing the war would only lead to further devastation for Germany. During this time, he came into contact with those who wanted to remove Hitler and negotiate a separate peace with the Allies. Rommel was not in favor of assassination; he believed that Hitler's arrest and trial were the best course of action.
On July 17, 1944, Rommel's car was attacked by a British aircraft, and he was seriously injured. He was taken to a hospital and later deported to Germany. Just three days later, the famous attack on Hitler—the July 20th plot—failed. An investigation began, and someone implicated Rommel in it. Even if he was unaware of the plot, his pessimistic outlook aroused suspicion in Hitler's mind. Hitler needed to remove Rommel—but openly killing Germany's most popular military hero could have sparked public outrage. The solution was to force Romal to commit suicide, and then have the propaganda machinery announce that he died from his injuries on July 17th.
Romal's own son witnessed his end. Fifteen-year-old Manfred Romal was enlisted in an anti-aircraft unit. On October 14th, he was allowed home, where Romal was under house arrest and recuperating. That morning, father and son had breakfast together and went for a walk in the garden. Romal told them that two generals were coming to visit—either to take him to the People's Court or to receive new assignments on the Eastern Front.
Before noon, Romal put on his favorite African tunic. At exactly 12 o'clock, a green car with Berlin license plates stopped outside the house. Generals Burgdorf and Maisel arrived, greeted them respectfully, and requested to speak with Romal alone. A few minutes later, Romal went upstairs, telling his wife that he would be dead in fifteen minutes.
Manfred followed him. Father stood silently in the room—face pale, voice tense. He explained that Hitler considered him guilty of treason, the house was surrounded, and two generals had brought poison—effective in three seconds. If he accepted this method, no action would be taken against the family and staff. Rommel explained that it was in Hitler's best interest that the matter not become public. He also said this was a final condition—and that Manfred would have to promise to remain silent.
Manfred asked if there was any possibility of resistance. Rommel nodded—everyone in the house would be killed in the crossfire, and he had almost no weapons. Aldinger was called; both tried to stop his father, but Rommel made it clear that the decision had been made. He stated his final wish—his state funeral in Ulm. Then, after checking the time, he said, "I have to go. They've only given me ten minutes."
On his way downstairs, his little dog jumped on him in joy; Manfred locked it in the room. The general was waiting outside the house. Some villagers stood on the roadside at a distance. The SS driver opened the car door. Romal, his marshal's baton tucked under his arm, took his son and companion by the hand, and without looking back, got into the car. The car turned and disappeared from sight.
Twenty minutes later, the phone rang—a report from the Ulm hospital stated that Romal had died of a "brain attack" on the way.
It was later learned that the car had stopped a short distance from the house. Burgdorf remained in the car with Romal, while Maisel and the driver stood outside. The driver returned a few minutes later and found Romal dead—the marshal's baton had fallen from his hand. Gestapo officers hidden nearby were stationed to ensure that if Romal resisted, he would be shot and the house would be stormed.
The official announcement stated that Romal had died of his injuries. Hitler declared a national day of mourning and he was buried with full military honors—as if he had been a great hero of the nation, and his death a natural accident.
Read more : - The Devil Sea
.jpeg)
0 Comments