Erwin Rommel was born on 15 November 1891 in Heidenheim an der Brenz. A German field marshal, Rommel won a reputation as a gifted commander in the First World War and in the 1940 invasion of France as commander of a Panzer division. He is best known for leading the German Afrika Korps in North Africa, where his daring maneuvers earned him the name the Desert Fox, until he was defeated at El Alamein. In 1944 he commanded the defense of the northern French coast against the Allied invasion. Implicated in the plot against Hitler, he was given the choice between trial and suicide, and took poison. The regime announced that he had died of wounds and gave him a state funeral.
Before and after
- 17 October 1891Construction of Kunsthistorisches Museum
- 20 October 1891Birth of James Chadwick
- 10 November 1891Death of Arthur Rimbaud
- 13 November 1891Founding of International Peace Bureau
- 15 November 1891Birth of Erwin Rommel
- 8 December 1891Construction of Paulista Avenue
- 10 December 1891Birth of Nelly Sachs
- 21 December 1891James Naismith invents basketball
- 1892Founding of National Library of Israel
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The era
This moment belongs to the Industrial era (1760 CE to 1914 CE), steam, factories and revolutions. You can also browse everything in the 19th century.