Born on 15 November 1891, Rommel joined the Imperial army at 18. In the First World War, he fought on several fronts and received the Iron Cross and other decorations. He remained with the army postwar, serving the Weimar Republic. Whilst portrayed by many as a ‘good German’ Rommel nevertheless flourished in the new Nazi-created Wehrmacht, even commanding Hitler’s personal army guard the Heer Begleit-Bataillon des Führers. This familiarity with the Fuhrer gave him certain advantages during the Second World War. He was Hitler’s ‘Favourite General’ and got away with acts of insubordination to his seniors that no other general would have been allowed.
It was during the battle of France in 1940 that his star truly rose when he commanded the 7th Panzer Division which he handled expertly and due to its rapid movement gained the nickname ‘The Ghost Division’ from its French adversaries. It was therefore only natural when Hitler was looking for a commander for the German forces in Africa that he chose Rommel.
Whilst considered a great general and tactician his impetuousness and inability to take advice was to cost him and his forces dear in the Western Desert. Another of his traits was a double-edged sword, that being his desire to lead from the front. On one side this allowed him to proactively direct a battle and but it also left him in danger of capture or worse.
Nevertheless, his name is the one most associated with the North African campaign and few are likely to forget the exploits of the ‘Desert Fox’. Previously available as the Campaign: The Western Desert special miniature.
This pack contains:
- 1 metal figure
Note: Models supplied unassembled and unpainted. Metal parts.
Scale: 28mm.
