Erwin Rommel

Erwin Rommel

During the second World War, Germany was on its highest pedestal. The German people were being fed elaborate propaganda by an insane nationalist dictator, but they were winning the war against the global community. Although most believed the foolish Nazi garbage and led into battle like lapdogs, one man was strong-minded enough to stand against it. That man was Erwin Rommel.

Rommel

Rommel led the African branch of the Third Reich, the Afrika Korps, another name for the invasion of Europe and Africa by Hitler. Because of his amazing strategies and quick-witted manuevers, very few battles were lost to the British. For his swift, sly thinking, he was nicknamed the Desert Fox by both his men and his enemies. Very few battles were lost, though the most notably would be the Battle of Kasserine Pass, where he lost approximately 53 of his panzer tanks.

Rommel was considered honorable and chivalrous because he did not follow the Commando Order, a confidential command from Hitler to kill all Allied uniformed soldiers, even if they submitted to surrender. He believed that even though his country was being led by a madman, he, as a World War I veteran, was indebted to the Fatherland(Germany). However, the Commando Order was not the only order he didn't follow. He was a renegade; he received his orders, considered them vague, and tweaked them as much as possible to his liking. For this, he would eventually commit ordered suicide for high treason against Germany.

A mass of generals and others high in command of Germany thought Hitler to be unfit to rule, and they set up a plot to remove him from office by death. However, before they were able to initiate the plot, something terrible occurred. Hitler was holding a meeting with his commanders when a bomb went off set by an assassin. Sadly, Rommel was blamed, mainly because of his 'defeatist' attitude. Around noon on October 14, 1944, two high ranking SS officers arrived at Rommel's home and knocked on his door. When he answered, he was informed that he was charged for committing high treason against the Fuhrer, and that he would be given approximately ten minutes to say good bye to his loved ones. They took him to their car after he bid his family farewell, and he killed himself by using a cyanide.

To me, Erwin Rommel is a hero because of his undying devotion to his loved ones and country. Though he knew that his country was brainwashed and corrupt, he did all he could to ensure its survival. When faced with giving his own life for his family or running like a coward, he chose suicide. He was a respectable commander, a devoted father and husband, and a patriot above all else.