Research Question
According to the definition of a Great Captain used in MILS512, does Erwin Rommel qualify as a Great Captain?
Purpose Statement
I will investigate the research question by gathering information related to Erwin Rommel in the three areas of the MILS512 Great Captain definition – Military genius; Master of the Art of War; Leader in battle/war – and, using the definitions provided in the MILS512 course material, assess the performance of the individual I have selected to determine if he satisfies each criterion of the MILS512 Great Captain definition individually. After completing this assessment, I will consider the historical figure I have chosen holistically and with regard to all aspects of the MILS512 Great Captain definition to determine if he qualifies as a Great Captain according to the MILS512 definition of the term.
Tentative Hypothesis
Erwin Rommel qualifies as a Great Captain because he more than satisfies all three aspects of the MILS512 definition of a Great Captain, being highly proficient in military strategies, understanding of war, and leadership methods.
Literature Review
Rommel, Erwin. 1979. Infantry Attacks. Athena Press.
The most crucial source for the current paper is Infantry Attacks – the translated version of the book Infanterie Greift an, written by Erwin Rommel. The general wrote the initial transcript in the 1930s before the Second World War and international fame. At the time, he was already a prominent officer in the German army with significant achievements in the First World War. However, Infanterie Greift quickly became the classic of military literature with curious insights into strategies, leadership, and description of operations. The book received attention from both Hitler and the leaders of the Allied forces, transparently demonstrating the vast military talent of Erwin Rommel. Thus, even before his greatest military achievements and operations in Africa, Rommel was perceived as a general of unrivaled military talent.
Although Infantry Attacks provides little information on Rommel’s biography, it is a primary source that brought international fame to the general. From these considerations, the book is essential to the current analysis and provides detailed information about Rommel’s military thinking and strategies. According to the tentative hypothesis, Rommel exceeds in the aspects of ‘military talent’, ‘art of war’, and ‘leadership in battle’. The three competencies emphasize intellect, commanding capabilities, theory of war, the science of war, and a comprehensive understanding of soldiers’ morale, all of which can be analyzed via the primary source. Therefore, Infantry Attacks provides a unique perspective on Rommel’s military achievements precisely because he wrote it. Furthermore, the greatest military leaders of the time acknowledged the vast expertise of the book, making it one of the best sources for military analysis and a piece of extensive historical significance.
The book’s narrative primarily involves a detailed description of operations and battles during the First World War. Namely, Rommel explains his military thinking and leadership on the examples of conflicts in Belgium, France, and Romania. Furthermore, the general thoroughly analyzes the role of psychology, morality, and spirit in the battles adhering to the ‘leading in battle/war‘ component of great captains. He adjusts the structured military strategies based on the morale of the soldiers and chooses the most appropriate tactics. Rommel also explains his decisions and thinking by demonstrating the sketches of the terrain and units’ movements. As a result, Infantry Attacks is an exemplary source of both strategical brilliance and deep analysis of military psychology, making it the most significant source for the current paper.
Lastly, the book provides curious insights into Rommel’s motivation to serve in the Nazi army. Rommel went from being one of the most loyal Hitler supporters to being a sworn enemy of the Nazi regime and attempting to transform German politics. His highly controversial life is an intriguing topic for many historians globally, and Infantry Attacks explains his motivation to a certain extent. The book also demonstrates the humane part of the Nazi army: despite the overwhelming propaganda and unacceptable values of the Third Reich, Rommel depicts the daily life of soldiers as ordinary people. This notion further implies the deep understanding of the general concerning the soldiers’ motivation and beliefs. In the book, he described how he bonded with his comrades and shared food and drinks, explaining its importance to the army’s morale. Ultimately, Infantry Attacks are a source of vast historical significance that demonstrates Rommel’s military talent and leadership.
Mitcham, Samuel Jr. 2019. Desert Fox: The Storied Military Career of Erwin Rommel. Washington D. C.: Regnery History.
The book by Mitcham thoroughly analyzes Rommel’s life and military career and is the second essential source for the current paper. The narrative is presented objectively, ignoring the lens of politically correct perspectives and focusing on accurate historical data and a thorough assessment of Rommel’s talent. There have been many heroic and morally-questionable moments throughout the general’s life, and it is essential to analyze them unbiasedly. It is one of the primary book’s strengths – Mitcham wanted to examine Rommel’s life as a journey of a human and a military genius, not precisely as a general of the Nazi army. From these considerations, the unbiased stance of the author would allow us to more comprehensively understand the motivation and experiences of the general, making it an exemplary scholarly source.
Concerning the structure and narrative, Mitcham examines the whole of Rommel’s life, starting from early childhood to his eventual suicide, in an attempt to save his family from Nazi oppression. Moreover, the author analyzes Rommel’s military achievements and thoroughly describes the general’s primary operations, specifically in North Africa, during the Second World War. Mitcham presents sufficient arguments proving that Rommel is rightfully considered a military genius, a born leader, and possibly the greatest general in World War II. Mitcham also explains the origin of the ‘Desert Fox’ nickname that was given to Rommel due to his military achievements in the war. Nevertheless, the book has several drawbacks, implying the necessity of other scholarly sources for the current analysis as well. The most notable disadvantage is the lack of a thorough description of military operations and a comprehensive breakdown of strategic thinking. The book vastly focuses on Rommel’s personal life and, while it addresses the military conflicts, it lacks the depth of strategic analysis. Ultimately, Mitcham’s book is an excellent source for the current paper; however, other references are necessary to further examine Erwin Rommel’s military talent.
Samuels, Martin. 2017. “Erwin Rommel and German Military Doctrine, 1912-1940.” War in History: 1-29.
The article by Martin Samuels presents a deep analysis of Rommel’s life and his shifting perspectives on German military doctrine. Experts generally agree that the general’s military career is vastly ambiguous, with many myths and rumors surrounding the military genius. Furthermore, the article emphasizes Rommel’s unique way of thinking, which frequently deviated from the standard Nazi protocol, implying creativity and superior vision on the battlefield. Samuels examines Rommel’s military operations in the First and Second World Wars and analyzes his decision-making according to his rank and scope of influence. This investigation reveals that Rommel was able to adjust his military tactics based on his importance in the army, thus, implying his vast talent for leadership and comprehensive understanding of his fellow soldiers.
McMahon, Major. 2014. Operational Principles: The Operational Art of Erwin Rommel and Bernard Montgomery. Pickle Partners Publishing.
While the first three scholarly sources focus on Rommel’s personal life and outstanding military talent, the book by McMahon and consequent sources provide a comprehensive analysis of his military achievements on the operational level. McMahon examines the strategies, principles, understanding of nearby territories and landscapes, leadership methods, and other factors that govern Rommel’s military thinking. Unlike previous sources, McMahon is concerned only about the strategic and tactical levels of war and precise descriptions of operations. The author also examines the differences in Rommel’s operational principles during the Blitzkrieg campaign in France in 1940 and a more careful approach in North Africa campaign from February 1941 to February 1942. Ultimately, the source thoroughly analyzes Rommel’s military strategies and leadership talent.
Mitchelhill-Green, David. 2017. With Rommel in the Desert: Tripoli to El Alamein. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military.
The book by Mitchellhill-Green focuses entirely on Rommel’s military strategies in North Africa from 1941 to 1943. It includes the preparation for the conflict, such as infantry training regimes and initial tactics, the operations, and the overview of soldiers’ morale. The primary strength of the source is the unique focus on Rommel’s strategies from the perspective of ordinary infantry. The author examines the German troops’ experiences under Erwin Rommel’s command based on various reports, journals, and eyewitness testimonies. Furthermore, Mitchellhill-Green analyzes a large number of external factors that obstructed the advancement of the German army, such as harsh weather conditions, unsuitable terrain for technological units, and diseases. The author also examines Rommel’s response to the circumstances and the acquisition of necessary assets to mitigate the difficulties. Lastly, the conflict in Africa was the first war associated with the extensive usage of photography, and the author presents a large number of visual materials demonstrating Rommel and the lives of ordinary soldiers during the war.
Roy, Kaushik. 2019. Fighting Rommel; The British Imperial Army in North Africa during the Second World War, 1941-1943. New Delhi: Routledge India.
The last source by Kaushik provides a unique perspective on Rommel’s achievements in Africa from the viewpoint of the Allied forces, which comprised the British, the Australian, and the Indian troops. The author casts doubt on the generally acknowledged military talent of Erwin Rommel and explains the outcomes of the campaign by focusing on the Allied forces. Ultimately, Erwin Rommel was able to control the tide of the war for two years despite the overall technological advantage of the Allied forces, which undoubtedly made him an outstanding general. However, the author’s unique perspective on the conflict in Africa might reveal curious insights into the military thinking of the Allied forces and flaws of the British strategies, which could be exploited by Erwin Rommel. Ultimately, the book by Kaushik presents less information on the military general, but it can explain the success of his tactics by emphasizing the strategies of the opposing side, making it a viable source for the current analysis.
Bibliography
McMahon, Major. 2014. Operational Principles: The Operational Art of Erwin Rommel and Bernard Montgomery. Pickle Partners Publishing.
Mitcham, Samuel Jr. 2019. Desert Fox: The Storied Military Career of Erwin Rommel. Washington D. C.: Regnery History.
Mitchelhill-Green, David. 2017. With Rommel in the Desert: Tripoli to El Alamein. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military.
Rommel, Erwin. 1979. Infantry Attacks. Athena Press.
Roy, Kaushik. 2019. Fighting Rommel; The British Imperial Army in North Africa during the Second World War, 1941-1943. New Delhi: Routledge India.
Samuels, Martin. 2017. “Erwin Rommel and German Military Doctrine, 1912-1940.” War in History: 1-29.