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Erwin Rommel, the most respected German military commander of
WWII, commanded the 7th Panzer Division during the invasion of
France. Promoted to general, he commanded the new Afrika Korps,
successfully driving the British 8th Army out of Libya, but was
eventually defeated at El Alamein in 1943. Approached in 1944
to join the plot to assasinate Hitler, Rommel refused suggesting
Hitler be arrested and brought to trial. Now in command of the
German Army in France, even Rommel was unable to halt the Allied
advance following the D-Day, and in July 1944 encouraged Hitler
to surrender. But Hitler had discovered Rommel was plotting against
him and offered the general suicide, a state funeral and protection
for his family, or trial for high treason. Erwin Rommel took
the honourable decision. |