Erwin Rommel (redirected from Irwin Rommel)

Rommel, Erwin 

Born Nov. 15, 1891, in Heidenheim, Baden-Würtemberg; died Oct. 14, 1944, in Herlingen, near the city of Ulm. Fascist German field marshal (1942).

Rommel entered military service in 1910 and fought in World War I. He served in the Reichswehr in 1918, and later, the Wehrmacht. During the 1930’s he was a teacher and head of a military academy. In September 1939 he became military commandant of Hitler’s headquarters. In February 1940, Rommel was made commander of the 7th Panzer Division during the campaign in France. From February 1941 until March 1943 he commanded the German expeditionary forces in North Africa. From July to November 1943 he commanded Army Group V in northern Italy. In November 1943, Rommel functioned as military inspector for the headquarters of the High Command in Denmark. In November 1943 he became commander of Army Group B in France. On July 17 he left the post because of a serious injury. Rommel was associated with the right wing of the conspirators against Hitler, and after the conspiracy was uncovered, he committed suicide on Hitler’s order.