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N0KFQ > TODAY 29.01.16 15:56l 55 Lines 2414 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 83198_N0KFQ
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Jan 29
Path: IW8PGT<IW7BFZ<I3XTY<I0OJJ<GB7CIP<GB7YEW<N9PMO<NS2B<N0KFQ
Sent: 160129/1453Z 83198@N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA BPQ1.4.65
1915
German lieutenant Erwin Rommel leads daring mission in France
On January 29, 1915, in the Argonne region of France, German
lieutenant Erwin Rommel leads his company in the daring capture
of four French block-houses, the structures used on the front to
house artillery positions.
Rommel crept through the French wire first and then called for
the rest of his company to follow him. When they hung back after
he had repeatedly shouted his orders, Rommel crawled back,
threatening to shoot the commander of his lead platoon if the
other men did not follow him. The company finally advanced,
capturing the block-houses and successfully combating an initial
French counter-attack before they were surrounded, subjected to
heavy fire and forced to withdraw.
Rommel was awarded the Iron Cross, First Class, for his bravery
in the Argonne; he was the first officer of his regiment to be so
honored. Where Rommel is, there is the front, became a popular
slogan within his regiment. The bravery and ingenuity he
displayed throughout the Great War, even in light of the eventual
German defeat, led to Rommel's promotion through the ranks of the
army in the post-war years.
In May 1940, Erwin Rommel was at the head of the 7th Panzer
Division that invaded France with devastating success at the
beginning of the Second World War. Promoted to general and later
to field marshal, he was sent to North Africa at the head of the
German forces sent to aid Hitler's ally, Benito Mussolini. Known
as the Desert Fox, Rommel engineered impressive victories against
Britain in Libya and Egypt before his troops were decisively
defeated at El Alamein in Egypt in 1943 and forced to retreat
from the region.
Back in France to see the success of the Allied invasion in June
and July 1944, Rommel warned Hitler that the end of the war was
near. The unequal struggle is nearing its end, Rommel sent in a
teletype message on July 15. I must ask you immediately to draw
the necessary conclusions from this situation.
Suspected by Hitler of conspiring against him in the so-called
July Plot, Rommel was presented with an ultimatum: suicide, with
a state funeral and protection for his family, or trial for high
treason. Rommel chose the former, taking poison pills on October
14, 1944. He was buried with full military honors.
73, K.O. n0kfq
N0KFQ @ N0KFQ.#SWMO.MO.USA.NA
E-mail: kohiggs@gmail.com
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