Lot 377
Rommel, Erwin (1891-1944) German Field Marshall, nicknamed "Desert Fox" for his victories as leader of the Afrika Korps. Following his defeat at El-Alamein, Rommel was placed in charge of the defense of the French coast. After the failure of the von Stauffenberg plot to assassinate Hitler (July 20, 1944), Hitler discovered (while torturing participants in the plot) that Rommel was aware of the attempt on his life. To save face for Hitler, who did not want the German people to know that his most popular general was against him, Rommel was given a choice: swallowing a cyanide pill (and the German people would be told that he had died of wounds received on July 17th when his jeep was strafed by Allied planes) or being tried for high treason. Rommel had been against killing Hitler, which would make him a martyr, and thought a separate peace should be made with the Allies and Hitler put on trial. Not wanting his family and staff to suffer, Rommel chose to commit suicide.
Typed document signed ("Rommel") as Generaloberst und Oberbehfehlshaber der Panzerarmee Afrika, 1 page, 10½ x 8¼ in., Armee-Gef.-St., May 15, 1942. Approving eleven soldiers for the War Merit Cross (Kriegsverdienstkreuze), 2nd Class, with swords. Boldly signed in pencil. The month after signing this document, Rommel would defeat the British 8th Army at Tobruk, destroying more than 260 tanks and taking 30,000 prisoners of war.
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500.
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| Realized $2,400 |
