The Rommel myth, or the Rommel legend, is a phrase used by a number of historians for the common depictions of German field marshal Erwin Rommel as an apolitical, brilliant commander and a victim of Nazi Germany due to his presumed participation in the 20 July plot against Adolf Hitler, which led to Rommel's forced suicide in 1944. According to these historians, who take a critical view of Rommel, such depictions are not accurate.

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Lewin, Ronald (1998) [1968]. Rommel As Military Commander. New York: B&N Books. ISBN 978-0-7607-0861-3.Rommel had wrongly predicted that the collapse of the German line in Italy would be fast. On 21 November, Hitler gave Kesselring overall command of the Italian theatre, moving Rommel and Army Group B to Normandy in France with responsibility for defending the French coast against the long anticipated Allied invasion. [215] Atlantic Wall 1944 [ edit ] Rommel observes the fall of shot at Riva-Bella, just north of Caen in the area that would become Sword Beach in Normandy. Reconstructed by Michael Asher (2004), based on a list by Hans Edelmaier, amended from documentary and witness evidence, with the assistance of the Commando Association [now defunct]. It might contain errors.) [7] Strawson, John (2013). If By Chance: Military Turning Points that Changed History. Pan Macmillan. p.124. ISBN 978-1-4472-3553-8. Speidel met with former foreign minister Konstantin von Neurath and Strölin on 27 May in Germany, ostensibly at Rommel's request, although the latter was not present. Neurath and Strölin suggested opening immediate surrender negotiations with the West, and, according to Speidel, Rommel agreed to further discussions and preparations. [152] However, around the same time the plotters in Berlin were not aware that Rommel had reportedly decided to take part in the conspiracy. On 16 May, they informed Allen Dulles, through whom they hoped to negotiate with the Western Allies, that Rommel could not be counted on for support. [153] Quote from one of Rommel's letters, January 1942: "The opinion of me in the world press has improved." [35]

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According to a post-war account by Karl Strölin, the Oberbürgermeister of Stuttgart at that time, he and two other conspirators, Alexander von Falkenhausen and Carl Heinrich von Stülpnagel, began efforts to bring Rommel into the anti-Hitler conspiracy in early 1944. [149] On 15 April 1944, Rommel's new chief of staff, Hans Speidel, arrived in Normandy and reintroduced Rommel to Stülpnagel. [150] Speidel had previously been connected to Carl Goerdeler, the civilian leader of the resistance, but not to the plotters led by Stauffenberg, and only came to the attention of Stauffenberg due to his appointment to Rommel's headquarters. The conspirators felt they needed the support of a field marshal on active duty, and gave instructions to Speidel to bring Rommel into their circle. [151] Hitler met with Rommel and Kesselring to discuss future operations in Italy on 30 September 1943. Rommel insisted on a defensive line north of Rome, while Kesselring was more optimistic and advocated holding a line south of Rome. Hitler preferred Kesselring's recommendation, and therefore revoked his previous decision for the subordination of Kesselring's forces to Rommel's army group. On 19 October, Hitler decided that Kesselring would be the overall commander of the forces in Italy, sidelining Rommel. [214] What pressures and motivations affected Rommel’s choices during World War II, in his military career and in his support for Nazi ideology? Shirer, William L. (1960). The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-0-671-62420-0. Myth of 'humane' Nazi Erwin Rommel debunked: 2008 The Daily Telegraph news report on "The Rommel Myth" exhibition. Images from the exhibition as they appeared in the book In Detail, Exhibitions and Displays.

Däniker, Gustav; Keren, Michael; Sylvan, Donald A. (2002). International Intervention: Sovereignty Versus Responsibility. Psychology Press. p.117. ISBN 978-0-7146-5192-7. Rau, Petra (2013). Our Nazis. Edinburgh University Press. pp.132–134. ISBN 978-0748668663 . Retrieved 8 February 2019. Lasserre, Caroline (8 July 2014). "Rommel ist und bleibt ein Mythos". Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Archived from the original on 11 December 2016 . Retrieved 3 August 2016.