I am very pleased to share this review of my latest Rommel book, “Erwin Rommel: First War, A New Look At Infantry Attacks,” written by Ed Sherwood, Lieutenant Colonel, (US Army, Retired) author of Courage Under Fire: The 101st Airborne’s Hidden Battle at Tam Ky, a 2021 Army Historical Foundation’s Distinguished Writing Award finalist.
Steele’s new book, Erwin Rommel’s First War: A New Look at Infantry Attacks,is a major contribution for understanding Rommel’s early life as a young officer and genius tactician. Her work is based on many years of personal research into Rommel’s life. Steele’s insightful analysis of German historical documents and photographs provide new insights into the formative days of one of World War II’s top generals and his classic book on infantry tactics. Steele has the same view of Rommel as Winston Churchill, who said, “We have a daring and skillful opponent against us, and may I say across the havoc of war, a great general.” Her appropriate admiration for Rommel’s military acumen includes his honorable character. After Germany’s devastating defeat in WWI, though Rommel was initially impressed by Hitler’s revitalization of Germany, he never joined the Nazi Party and became disillusioned by Hitler’s behavior. Near the end of WWII, Hitler caused Rommel’s death by forcing his suicide for his alleged, but false charge of attempting to assassinate the Führer.
Steele’s work is truly unique and valuable. Based on her in depth research, she incorporates expert, personal commentary, and notes into the first part of her book; then in each chapter of the English edition of Infantry Attacks. That edition was first printed by the Infantry Journal during WWII, but was redacted to censor objectionable material. Steele rightly explains her approach as “more than a new translation … [written] to provide a new perspective on Rommel in World War I, as well as introductory material and final assessments to analyze the war’s impact on his character and future generalship.” In this well done effort, she succeeds admirably.
As a former infantry officer assigned to the US Army Infantry School’s Doctrine and Training Development Directorate and later, the Command, Tactics, and Leadership Department, I am quite impressed by Steele’s book. I consider it a must read for military historians, tactics instructors, future or current combat arms officers and noncommissioned officers, or old military veterans like me.