Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

Summary
A lesson on the German military leader Erwin Rommel. The reading is accompanied by true/false questions.

Objectives
• To introduce students to a major German military leader in World War II, Erwin Rommel.

Suggested Grades
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade

Excerpt
In all the history written about battles and their commanders, few people have ever generated more interest and excitement than Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel. Although he is most often known for his exploits in the African campaigns of the Second World War, his valor, chivalry, and daring began far earlier than that.

Erwin was born in Heidenheim, Germany on the 14th of November 1891. His father was a school master. The future Field Marshall was very technically oriented and was hoping to study to become an engineer. However, his father made it quite clear that young Erwin was to become a military officer. So his career began in the 124th Württemburg Regiment in the German Army as an officer cadet at the age of 19. Within two years he was awarded the rank of Lieutenant in January 1912.

During officer training school Rommel met the lady who was to become his future wife, Lucia Maria Mollin. He always referred to Lucia as Lucy or Lu. They were married in November 1916. Their son Manfred was born on Christmas Eve of 1928.

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