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Originally Posted by Somalia Monty B and Doppleganger you guys are both right i am not disagreeing with you guys, but we can't belittle Rommel, because he was a wiz especially when it came to mechanized warfare and the art of deciption he was as cunning as they come on the field and they only thing that saved Montgomery is the entry of the Americans into North Africa and the fact that Hitler didn't give Rommel the Men and Materials he requested because Hitler put the priority on the Russian front, and wanted to quickly and decisively crush the Russians. Had Hitler gave Rommel the men and materials he requested especially more tanks and air cover, I truely believe Rommel would have captured North Africa and Egypt.
While I agree with you guys, their is a reason why they called Rommel the "Desert Fox." |
I think the Allied Torch landings "finished" Rommel but I don't agree that operation Torch saved Montgomery as by that stage in the campaign the 8th army had attained superiority on the ground, air and most importantly at sea. The thing that pretty much ended the DAK was the inability to resupply caused by allied control of the air and sea in the theater.
I certainly agree that had Hitler given more emphasis to the Afrika Korp early on it may have made a huge difference but then had the Italians actually had a desire to fight Rommel wouldn't have been needed there anyway and had he followed his orders in not to proceed further than the Libyan border until he was at full strength he may not have over stretched his supply lines and been able to maintain local air superiority thus maintaining his supply lines.
On the whole I wont argue that Rommel was a good commander and had a lot of good traits however he also had bad traits and I believe those are being overlooked for a somewhat "romanticised" view of the man and his abilities.