Discovering the Rommel Murder: The Life and Death of the Desert Fox

by Charles F. Marshall

An intimate view of Rommel's background and the intriguing tale of how the world first learned about his murder. Contains previously unpublished letters and photographs from the Rommel family.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 1994

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unique and insightful book. The author, Charles Marshall, was a USA Capt during WWII. Working within the Intelligence Sections of the VI Corps and 7th Army Capt Marshall led a number of interrogation teams and post war was responsible for the processing of tens of thousands of prisoners of war - both German and other nationals fighting for the Nazis - through the system. In his position Capt Marshal had the opportunity to interview, debrief and post war develop friendships with some of Germany's senior generals. He also interviewed Mrs. Rommel numerous times. It was Capt Marshall's fellow staff member who first heard from Mrs. Rommel that Field Marshall Rommel had not died from a heart attack as reported in the German press, but instead had been forced to commit suicide.

Capt Marshall's work collecting first hand details and insight into who Erwin Rommel was is surpassed by none. All other post war works on Rommel by historians reference the material he collected. Because Capt Marshall is not a historian and was intimately involved in the events surrounding Rommel's death his perspectives and writings are unique and personal in a way other biographies on Rommel are not. If Kurt Hesse, German military historian, had had the opportunity to finish his official biography of Rommel I believe it would have been similar to Capt Marshall's writing.

This book is valuable for not only disclosing the events surrounding Rommel's death, but his interviews of other notable German Generals Speidel, Weichs and List, Rommel's adjutant Capt Aldinger and others. Capt Marshall also has a fairly lengthy chapter describing his time as commanding officer of several POW processing camps post war which is very interesting history about a period of the post war for which not many first hand accounts exist.

Highly recommended read for those interested in Field Marshall Rommel, General Speidel and post war military occupation of Germany and Austria.

[Stephanie Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Largely based on letters that Rommel sent to his wife while on the battlefield, this book gives great insight into his strength of character and military prowess. In order to write this book, Charles Marshall, a captain in the U.S. Military Intelligence Service, spent a year interviewing Rommel's wife and others who knew him well.

I admit to being surprised at being so captivated by this book. Having recently read "Higher Call," I have come to a new appreciation of how Hitler persecuted his own people as well as those he considered his enemies. Some, like Rommel, who pledged allegiance to Hitler in the beginning, came to realize what a madman he was and would loved to have done something about it for the sake of humanity and his own country.

This book has a very personal feel since it includes many of the letters that Rommel wrote to his wife and conversations that Charles Marshall had with her. For anyone interested in what took place during WWII, I highly recommend it.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book mainly because history is interesting. The idea of learning more about Rommel sounded like it could be quite interesting. I wasn't too far off. The first half of this book is fascinating learning about the Afrika Corps he led. I would be remiss if I didn't include the assassination attempt on Hitler was of some interest as well. The sections that were about Rommel and his part in the war were interesting to say the least. After that it became more about Marshal's part in the war with an occasion nugget about the main topic. From a historical and biographical sense I think it misses the mark of being about Rommel. The book war more about Marshal's search for what happened to Rommel and his mark in the war's ending phases.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

First: I am a layperson. I have no background in military or history. But I seem to be on a WWII kick as far as my reading goes. I am jumping from one interesting subject to another.

This book definitely qualifies as interesting. I knew little of the details of the German side of WWII and this filled in many. I appreciated how the author talked about the small details of his post-war life while describing the people he met, their stories, as well as what he found out about Rommel.

I come away from this with an admiration and appreciation for Rommel and some of the men he worked with. I also come away with more of an idea of the complexity of Germany and the many events of the war.

[Allen Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. If you are a fan of WWII history this is a must read. The book is based largely on personal correspondence between Rommel and his wife along with first hand interviews with his associates all within months of the end of the war.

[Monica Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating account of the life of Rommel; not only his military career, but his family life. Many personal letters to his wife were included in this book. Portrayed as a man of honor, it is both moving and sad.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, more of a layman book, because it explains battles and ideals very well. Very interesting.

[Susan Chambers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rommel book

very satisfying read. I'm interested in ww2 but never took time to read about Rommel. this was so interesting and it changed what little I knew about rommel. fascinating

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a difficult book to put down. Well written for the reader to be engaged in the history of Field Marshal Rommel. I enjoyed the book immensely.

[Dannan Tavona]

Thoughtful Biography

Historical WW2
Probably no German military leader from World War 2 is more well known in the West than Erwin Rommel. Tactician and engineer, he wasn't perfect, but he had his moments of brilliance. He gave the Americans a pasting in the Kasserine Pass in 1943, and despite being starved for munitions and petrol, he gave Monty plenty of headaches. And despite their bad rep, Rommel used Italian troops -- what the Italians lacked was decent leadership and equipment, not bravery. Historian Liddell-Hart puts forth the case that despite the propaganda, loses on both sides were nearly equal, and in the end, it was attrition that won in North Africa, and with the British strangling the sea supply routes, it was a question of when not if the Axis would lose. Still, Rommel escaped capture in Tunisia, and while still in Hitler's good graces, he was put in charge of the Western defences. Most of the additional defences at Normandy were Rommel's doing. Had he the chance to finish, D-Day would have seen much higher casualties. For the Allies, it was good that Rommel was sidelined by Runstedt as the latter's strategy failed while Rommel's very likely would have put the issue in doubt.
Marshall talks knowingly of Rommel, and as a soldier there is much to admire. Marshall skips over Rommel's admiration of Hitler's political views, but does go into Rommel's growing disillusionment and interest in the plot to kill Hitler, and Rommel's forced suicide to protect his family. For the Allies, this was a loss, for in the field, while he supported his government, Rommel did not allow the SS to separate prisoners and treated POWs as well as possible. There was consensus the Rommel was the top pick to run occupied Germany with the Allies. Generally a good book, and some interesting details. Recommended.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down

I initially wanted to read this book because the synopsis suggested this book would clearly show the timeline of Rommel's disenchantment with Hitler. This book delivers that and much more. Much detail and first hand accounts of WWII, along with some never before seen photos brings the era alive. I am not a historian or a military enthusiast but the author held my attention from start to finish. Highly recommended.

[Jeff Dawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Missed the Mark

I had high hopes when I started this book. Maybe there was some hidden information not yet released. Insight not yet revealed. Nope. The bulk of the book chronicles the travels of Mr Marshall through Occupied Germany. I felt duped.

For those who haven't seen the movie James Mason was in The Desert Fox:The Story of Rommel, I suggest you do. It will be well worth your time unlike this book.

Who would like? Journalists wanting to find out how one of their own was able to carry out interviews with the military minds behind the German army. But if you are of a military mind and want deep insight, move on, there many more good books on the subject.

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Very informative.