The book cover of the 1953 edition of, edited. It was one of the foundational texts that helped to build and spread the Rommel legend as one of the components of the overarching. The Rommel myth, or the Rommel legend, is a phrase used by a number of historians in reference to common depictions of German field marshal as an apolitical, brilliant commander and a victim of due to his presumed participation in the against.

Nazi Germany is also known as the Third Reich (German: Drittes Reich), meaning 'Third Realm' or 'Third Empire', the first two being the Holy Roman Empire (800–1806) and the German Empire (1871–1918). The Nazi regime ended after the Allies defeated Germany in May 1945, ending World War II.

According to these historians, who take a critical view of Rommel, such depictions are not accurate. Ti nspire cas. The myth was created, with Rommel's participation, as a component of to praise the and instill optimism in the German public. Starting in 1941, it was picked up and disseminated in the West by the as the sought to explain their continued inability to defeat the forces in North Africa.

Following the war, the Western Allies, and particularly the British, depicted Rommel as the ' and 'our friend Rommel', adhering closely to the tenets of the. His reputation for conducting a clean war was used in the interests of during the and the reconciliation between the former enemies—the United Kingdom and the United States on one side, and the new on the other.

The 1950 biography and the 1953 publication of added to the myth, which has proven resilient to critical examination. The mythology surrounding Rommel has been the subject of analysis by both English- and German-speaking historians in recent decades. The reevaluation has produced new interpretations of Rommel, including his relationship with, his abilities as operational and strategic level commander, and his role in the July 20th plot to assassinate Hitler.

Historians and commentators conclude that Rommel remains an ambiguous figure, not easily definable either inside or outside the myth. Contents • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Terminology [ ] Early authors such as Desmond Young and mention 'the Rommel legend' in their respective books.

Liddell Hart described British efforts to make against Rommel's military reputation (while showing respect to his conduct of war): 'Thus the British commanders and headquarter staffs were compelled to make strenuous efforts to dispel 'the Rommel legend '. As early as 1950, 's former deputy referred to the 'myth' in an article titled 'The Rommel Myth Debunked' where he aimed to address perceived misconceptions regarding the fighting in the. As used by German authors, Mythos Rommel (roughly translated into English as 'Rommel ') is a neutral description, as can be seen in works by historians such as. Soplo lavalya svoimi rukami. The term recognizes, per Lieb, that 'Rommel is and remains a Mythos. He could not be stuck in a single drawer. At any rate, one should decide for oneself whether one sees him as a role model or not'. German authors who use the word 'Mythos' in this neutral manner include [], [],,, and Sandra Mass.

Origins [ ] The origins of the myth can be found first in Rommel's drive for success as a young officer in, and then in his popular 1937 book ( Infantry Attacks) that was written in a style that diverged from the German military literature of the time. The book became a bestseller, and was supposedly read. Historian places the start of the 'Rommel legend' on 13 May 1940, during the, when Rommel's troops crossed the under fire and established bridgeheads at. In Nazi and Allied propaganda [ ]. Rommel at the Paris victory parade, June 1940.