In this classic study of the art of war, rommel analyzes the tactics that lay behind. Military history, august 2007 infantry attacks reads like an adventure novel and became a 1930s bestseller that not only made rommel rich, but also prompted. Apr 17, 2020 this article was published by the mcalvany intelligence advisor on wednesday, april 15, 2020 early in the movie patton, u. In this intriguing, wellpaced tale of a journalistic coup, marshall, the first to discover the real events behind rommel s death, tells how he learned the facts from rommel s widow and delves into the great generals background and death. In the previous video of this series, we covered the introduction. This article was published by the mcalvany intelligence advisor on wednesday, april 15, 2020 early in the movie patton, u. It is rather a memoir of rommel during wwi, where he was a junior officer leading small units into battle. Military strategy and tactics are essential to the conduct of warfare.
In 1937 he published his classic book on military tactics, infantry attacks, drawing on his. This is unfortunate, because strategy is something that is critically relevant to. Infantry attacks by erwin rommel overdrive rakuten. Field marshal erwin rommel exerted an almost hypnotic influence n. Second world war, military tactics, military world war ii, history, biography autobiography. Everything in this book is fascinating from the tactical battle narrations, to the insiders view of the mind of adolf hitler, to the most crystal clear summary of why the allies won the war. In this memoir rommel gives detailed information on the battles that he fought in variety of terrains, from trenches to mountains as part of the wurttemberg mountain battalion. Apparently written from rommels own experiences as commander of an. Infantry attacks is a classic text in the field of military strategy. Tank attacks about tank warfare, and gathered much material during the north. The last rays of the setting sun lighted up the battlefield.
Erwin rommel infantry attacks german classic infantry tactics. Feb 03, 2011 the west always judge the naziz and rommel and losers. In this classic study of the art of war rommel analyses the tactics that lay behind his success. Patton who had read erwin rommels book, infantry attacks sees that, by following rommels tactics, he is crushing his forces in an epic tank battle in tunisia and exclaims rommel, you magnificent bastard, i read your book. Every military academy today offers detailed classes and seminars on hannibals tactics. Infantry attacks was first published in 1937 as infanterie greift an and in 1944 as infantry attacks by the us army infantry journal, a military classic on infantry tactics in world war i.
Why do so many consider erwin rommel to be such a great. For those who could care less about battlefield exploits, rommels book is an excellent example of honest selfcriticism. Popularly known as the desert fox, he served as field marshal in the wehrmacht armed forces of nazi germany during world war ii, as well as serving in the reichswehr of the weimar republic, and the army of imperial germany. What rommel did in africa was nothing short of a miracle. In this classic study of the art of war, rommel analyzes the tactics that lay behind his success. Infanterie greift an is a classic book on military tactics written by field marshal erwin rommel about his experiences in world war i. Erwin rommel was one of germans most popular generals during world war ii, however, after he was implicated in a plot to overthrow hitler, rommel took his life in 1944. First published in 1937, it quickly became a highly regarded military textbook and also brought its author to the attention of adolf hitler. He was an excellent tank commander, which earned him the title of desert fox. Lewins detailed account of the military career of rommel proceeds with an academic touch. Part of it though was due to the nature of the book itself. World war two tank battles in north africa, and rommels forced suicide by hitler because of his ancillary association with stauffenbergs attempt to assassinate hitler. Broadly stated, strategy is the planning, coordination, and general direction of military operations to meet overall political and military objectives. Rommels book, infantry attacks, which he used as a textbook teaching between the wars, was based on his own experiences mountain fighting during wwi and makes no mention of jackson.
Erwin rommel, german field marshal who became the most popular general at home and gained the open respect of his enemies with his spectacular victories as commander of the afrika korps in world war ii. In 1937 he published his classic book on military tactics, infantry attacks, drawing on his experiences from world war i. Feb 16, 2012 in this classic study of the art of war rommel analyses the tactics that lay behind his success. I plan on buying this book attacks as it is supposed to be a much better and. Erwin johannes eugen rommel gained immortality in the north african campaign of 19411943. This book is not a manual of military instructions. First published in 1937, it quickly became a highly regarded military textbook and also brought its author to the attention of adolph hitler.
Throughout the book, rommel reports assigning small numbers. Erwin rommel roots of victory, seeds of defeat armchair. As a leader of a small unit in the first world war, he proved. Apparently they were well supplied with ammunition and they delivered a most attaxks and flexible fire. First published in 1937, it quickly became a highly. Mar 17, 2012 for those who enjoy military history, erwin rommels infantry attacks is wellwritten and sometimes inspiring book about a german officer who, despite fighting on the losing side, seemed to have won far more than he lost. After the war he remained in the german army as an instructor, a role that led to his publishing a book on infantry tactics in 1936. Infanterie greift an is a classic book on military tactics written by erwin rommel about his experiences in world war i. First published in 1937 it quickly became a highly.
Throughout the book, rommel reports assigning small numbers of men to approach enemy lines from the direction in which attack was expected. An essential collection of the wartime writings and diary of world war ii german field marshal erwin rommel, edited with commentary by one of the great military theorists of our time when erwin rommel diedby forced suicide at hitlers commandhe left behind in various ingenious hiding places the papers that recorded the story of his dramatic career and the exact details of his masterly. He published a book on military tactics and infantry attacks using his experiences in both wwi and wwii. Rommel was to subsequently advance through the ranks to the high command in world war ii. Infantry attacks chapter 1 by field marshal erwin rommel. In his book infantrie greift an infantry attacks9, rommel recounts. Erwin rommel infantry attacks german classic infantry. Infantry tactics by erwin rommel, 9788181580009, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In this intriguing, wellpaced tale of a journalistic coup, marshall, the first to discover the real events behind rommels death, tells how he learned the facts from rommels widow and delves into the great generals background and death. A literary historian meets the best tactical field general of world war 2, and his name is erwin rommel. Hell, most people probably couldnt tell you the difference between strategy and tactics or even know there is a difference. Written by german field marshal erwin rommel, it was first published in 1937 as a journalesque chronicle of the authors experiences in world war i and the lessons he learned there. His courage and daring gave him a reputation among german soldiers that spawned the saying, where rommel is, there is the front.
I am frequently invited to lecture on hannibals intelligence gathering in venues like the u. Jul 20, 2018 infantry attacks, by field marshall erwin rommel. Rommel had planned to write a successor called panzer greift an in english. Apr 23, 2015 most people have heard of erwin rommel, at least in passing. Apparently written from rommels own experiences as commander of an wurttemburg mountain infantry battalion. During wwii rommel commanded the 7 th panzer division in the invasion of france. But most people probably associate his name with only two events. Please enjoy listening to, or reading along with my.
First published in 1937 it quickly became a highly regarded military textbook, and also brought its author to the attention of adolph hitler. Sent with a small german force to help the axis against the british after the italians had suffered severe defeat, rommel reaching tripoli in february 1941was soon master of cyrenaica and imposing his will on the enemy. Strategy isnt something thats taught well in school. History has smiled kindly on erwin rommel praised by both his enemies and his own side but while there is much evidence for his tactical skills as a general, he was not really in a position to practice wide strategic control, and when he was. Covers the study of warfare through the ages and examines its prime elements. Naval war college, where classes are filled with navy, army, marines, and air force officers along with representatives of the intelligence agencies. Rommel was to subsequently advance through the ranks to the high command in the second world war.
Suppliy lines cut of and most of the german army in starlingrad and south of russia and the fact people forget the germans were fighting england, america, france, poland, serbia, australia, new zealand, canada and virtually all of europe and only just lost due to winter. Most people have heard of erwin rommel, at least in passing. Jul 12, 2001 infantry attacks was first published in 1937 as infanterie greift an and in 1944 as infantry attacks by the us army infantry journal, a military classic on infantry tactics in world war i. Field marshal erwin rommels heroic opposition to hitler in 1944 cost him his life. Johannes erwin eugen rommel 15 november 1891 14 october 1944 was a german general and military theorist. The west always judge the naziz and rommel and losers. Tactics implement strategy by shortterm decisions on the movement of troops and employment of weapons on the field of battle.
Ospreypublishing gazala 1942 rommels greatest military. Rommels family lacked much of a military tradition. Famous classic book on military tactics written by german field marshal erwin rommel about his experiences in world war i. General rommel lectures on military stradegy and tactics. For those who enjoy military history, erwin rommels infantry attacks is wellwritten and sometimes inspiring book about a german officer who, despite fighting on the losing side, seemed to have won far more than he lost. This book shows why rommel was wellregarded by his allies and enemies erdin am not a fan of military history, but i am a fan of rommel. Jul 11, 2019 rommel was a highly decorated officer in world war i and was awarded the pour le merite for his actions on the italian front.
Though the bomb failed to kill hitler, rommel, along with some of the highest officers in the german military, was implicated for his part in the assassination attempt. He committed suicide in 1944 after his role in a failed plot to assassinate hitler became known to the fuhrer. Throughout the book, rommel reports assigning small. Infanterie greift an known as infantry attacks in english, is a classic book on military tactics written by german field marshal erwin rommel about his experiences in world war i. At the time of the book s writing in the mid1930s, rommel s rank was lieutenant colonel. Rommel was a highly decorated officer in world war i and was awarded the pour le merite for his actions on the italian front. In 1937 he published his classic book on military tactics, infantry attacks, drawing on his experiences in that war. Aug 03, 2019 this book shows why rommel was wellregarded by his allies and enemies erdin am not a fan of military history, but i am a fan of rommel. Having seen other accounts of military history presented as documentaries, i look forward to comparing this with the book version of ben macintyres operation mincemeat or double cross. Infantry attacks is a classic book on military tactics written by german field marshal erwin rommel about his experiences in world war i. In world war ii, he distinguished himself as the commander of the 7th panzer division during the. This book certainly lives up to the standards set by it as reading material in military colleges across the world. Although rommel would later become known for his bold battlefield tactics, his sister described him as a gentle and docile child. Dec 10, 2017 every military academy today offers detailed classes and seminars on hannibals tactics.