An Analysis of the Operational Leadership of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in the Afrika Korps.

Abstract

There is no doubt that Field Marshal Rommel was an exceptional leader, but why was he such a poor operational leader? Examining Rommel's first year of command of the Afrika Korps it is evident that he possessed qualities necessary to be an exceptional operational leader, but he failed to understand operational logistics, and the primacy of policy and strategy. Additionally, his insistence to lead from the front caused unnecessary confusion among his forces, and his lack of unity of effort with his Italian allies decreased his combat efficiency and effectiveness. Rommel's inability to be concerned with other than tactical matters caused unnecessary losses for Germany in North Africa and assisted in Germany's failure to achieve her strategic objective in Russia.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 07, 1997
Accession Number
ADA325048

Entities

People

  • Robert N. Wiegert

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Africa
  • Air Power
  • Anti-Tank Guns
  • Canals
  • Combat Forces
  • Employment
  • Logistics
  • Middle East
  • Military Operations
  • Military Strategy
  • North Africa
  • Personality
  • Prisoners Of War
  • Security
  • Suez Canal
  • Tank Guns
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies