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Field Marshal Erwin Rommel: the Head Injury That May Have Prolonged the Second World War

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Field Marshal Erwin Rommel: the Head Injury That May Have Prolonged the Second World War NEUROSURGICAL FOCUS Neurosurg Focus 41 (1):E8, 2016 Field Marshal Erwin Rommel: the head injury that may have prolonged the Second World War Heather A. Fuhrman, BS,1 Jeffrey P. Mullin, MD, MBA,2 and Chris A. Sloffer, MD, MBA3,4 1School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University; 2Department of Neurosurgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; 3Bronson Neuroscience Center; and 4Western Michigan University, Homer Stryker School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, Michigan War-related head injury, indeed neurological injury in general, has been a part of the history of humankind for as long as there has been warfare. Such injuries can result in the removal of the individual from combat, thus eliminating any subsequent contribution that he or she might have made to the battle. However, at times, the injuries can have more wide-reaching effects. In the case of commanders or leaders, the impact of their injuries may include the loss of their influence, planning, and leadership, and thus have a disproportionate effect on the battle, or indeed the war. Field Mar- shal Erwin Rommel was a talented military strategist and leader who was respected by friends and foes alike. He held an honored reputation by the German people and the military leadership. His head injury on July 17, 1944, resulted in his being removed from the field of battle in northern France, but also meant that he was not able to lend his stature to the assassination attempt of Adolph Hitler on July 20. It is possible that, had he been able to lend his stature to the events, Hitler’s hold on the nation’s government might have been loosened, and the war might have been brought to an end a year earlier. The authors review Rommel’s career, his injury, the subsequent medical treatment, and his subsequent death. http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2016.4.FOCUS15486 Key Words head injury; World War II; Erwin Rommel ERMAN Field Marshal Erwin Rommel developed a The Young Years reputation as one of Germany’s most popular and Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel was born on Novem- heroic soldiers of World War II. He devised war ber 15, 1891, to Erwin Rommel, Senior, and Helene von Gstrategies, led troops to victories, and showed respect and Luz at Heidenheim, in the Kingdom of Württemberg, then mercy to his captives. The near-fatal strafing of his com- part of the German Empire. At a young age he was not mand car on July 17, 1944, provided just the right cam- drawn to academics, yet in his teenage years he excelled in ouflage for the Desert Fox’s death; a Nazi-regime forced mathematics and considered becoming an engineer. How- suicide. Rommel’s death “deprived [the German people] ever, perhaps influenced by his father, who once served of the only man strong enough to bear the terrible weight as a Second Lieutenant in the Army, he joined the 124th of war and civil war simultaneously, the only man who Infantry Regiment as an officer cadet.2,11 In March 1911, was straightforward enough to counter the frightful folly 10 he began training at the War Academy in Danzig in East of the leaders of Germany.” Rommel was accused of Prussia, and a year later he was commissioned a lieuten- being involved in a conspiracy to overthrow Hitler and ant.11 While in Danzig, he met Lucia Maria Mollin, and the subsequently had to be punished. Did Rommel’s head two married in November 1916.2 Twelve years later they injury and skull fracture from the car accident prevent a had their only child, a son named Manfred.11 successful German Army plot to overthrow Hitler? Could the battles and crimes against humanity of World War II have ended 10 months earlier had the Allied pilot known His Early Military Endeavors about the German generals’ revolt and let the car pass un- Rommel was initially recognized for his military per- harmed? Was “the one who embodied the only hope that formance in France, Italy, and Romania in the First World Germany had of salvation” denied the chance to act?2 The War.11 In particular, he received the Pour le Mérite, the background to this perhaps history-altering episode, as highest German decoration, for his leadership at Monte well as a description of the accident, medical care admin- Matajur against the Italian army.2 Despite an Allied-im- istered, and ensuing events are provided here. posed reduction in German armed forces after the First ABBREVIATIONS SS = Schutzstaffel. SUBMITTED September 14, 2015. ACCEPTED April 11, 2016. INCLUDE WHEN CITING DOI: 10.3171/2016.4.FOCUS15486. ©AANS, 2016 Neurosurg Focus Volume 41 • July 2016 1 Unauthenticated | Downloaded 10/04/21 04:38 AM UTC H. A. Furhman, J. P. Mullin, and C. A. Sloffer World War, Rommel was able to maintain a position as the Battle of Kasserine Pass.11 As a reward for his success- Captain of a Stuttgart infantry for 9 years.11 From 1929 ful campaign, Hitler named Rommel Germany’s youngest to 1933 he served as an instructor at the Army Infantry Field Marshal (Fig. 1) at age 50 years.11 Unfortunately for School in Dresden.2 His lectures on infantry tactics were Rommel and the Axis powers in Africa, these victories compiled in his first book, Infanterie Greift An (Infantry were the high point in the long back-and-forth campaign Attacks), which he also illustrated.2 Returning to transient across Northern Africa. By 1943, Bernard Montgomery active duty in 1933, Rommel earned the title of Major and had been given command of the Allied Eighth Army, and led the Mountain Corps at Goslar.2 In 1935 Rommel first they were making great strides in containing the Axis met Hitler when the Führer, Himmler, and Goebbels, the advances and were beginning to force their withdrawal. Reich Minister of Propaganda at the time, visited Rom- To maintain a chance of victory in Africa, Rommel rec- mel’s troops at Goslar.11 In October of that year he was ommended a shortening of the front from 400 miles to promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.11 At this point, Rommel 100 miles, and that the troops might be better used by resumed his role as instructor, but at the War Academy removing them to Italy to defend against an invasion of in Potsdam. On November 10, 1938, he became Com- southern Europe. He personally appealed to Hitler and the mandant of the War Academy at Wiener Neustadt.11 A high command, but his recommendations were rebuffed.7 year later Rommel was promoted to Major General, by- Rommel continued in command in Africa for a few more passing Brigadier General, and was in charge of Hitler’s weeks, but departed for Germany before the battle of the personal safety both in Czechoslovakia and Poland.2,11 Mareth Line. Rommel used this opportunity and access to Hitler to re- There are various explanations as to why Rommel did quest command of an armored division to participate in not remain in command of his troops to the end. Brigadier the approaching invasion of France. Hitler agreed, and on February 15, 1940, Rommel took over the 7th Panzer Di- vision.11 From May 10 to June 19 of that year, Rommel’s troops captured many French towns and Allied soldiers and equipment.11 His endeavors earned the unit the nick- name “Ghost Division” for its swift moves and successes, while also building Rommel’s famed reputation as a com- mander who fought from the front line.11 Rommel’s tactical genius, ability to make use of limited resources, and humanitarianism earned him much respect and glory from friends and foes. Rommel heavily stressed to his troops a code of chivalry, conduct, and humanity in peace and war; Hitler considered this attitude a sign of weakness.10 Rommel’s troops were never found guilty of war crimes, and he always treated captured Allied soldiers humanely.7 Rommel repudiated orders to kill Jewish sol- diers, civilians, and commandos.4 As a leader he was self- aware and socially aware. He never smoked, drank only rarely, and was frugal.10 Rommel rejected invitations to special meals when he traveled to the front.2 Rather, he ate in the field kitchen to show the men that although he was a field marshal, he had no desire to live any better than they did.6 Rommel understood soldier psychology; he talked to his men about their families and gave them cigarettes and cookies.6 His aide, Captain Hermann Aldinger claimed, in an interview with Charles Marshall, “No matter how low the men’s spirits when we arrived, they were high when he left.”6 Moreover, Rommel was worshipped by his troops for his willingness to give junior officers chances to prove their worth.6 Rommel frequently commented, “Germany will need men after the war as well,” and this notion ex- tended to his prisoners.4 Rommel’s moral fiber and com- radery with his troops was invaluable to his rise to fame. The African Campaign In January 1941, Rommel was promoted to Lieutenant General and began his 2-year command of the Afrika Ko- 11 FIG. 1. Official military portrait of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. Note the rps in the North African desert. Notably, he captured the presence of his Pour le Mérite and Knight’s Cross. This photograph was British garrison at Tobruk, Libya, on June 21, 1942, and taken about 1943. Bundesarchiv, Bild 146–1973–012–43. CC-BY-SA faced American forces for the first time in February 1943 at 3.0; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
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