Unser Rommel!

"Unser Rommel" (Our Rommel) is a stirring song written during the early 40s, inspired by the feats of the German Afrika Corps under the leadership of famous army general Erwin Rommel.  Sent into North Africa to assist a failed attempt by Italian military forces to control the Mediterranean region.

Above: Rommel speaks to soldiers from his famous command half track "Greif" or Griffon.

For nearly two years the Afrika Corps, who's motto was "Chivalrous in War, Vigilant for Peace". Fought a brilliant campaign against an enemy composed of not only greater numbers, but greater quantities of machinery and material as well.  Rommel, already famous for his exploits in the first World War and the invasion of France in 1940, would achieve the title "Desert Fox" from friends and enemies alike, for his successes against the multinational force set against him in the blistering deserts of North Africa.

I have linked an example of this song from YouTube to my blog for your listening.  Unfortunately I have had some difficulty finding information on who composed this piece, but lyrics in English are provided in the video.  Enjoy!

Image: Sanität

Somewhere in France, 1940:  A combat medic from the Wermacht medical service (Sanitätsdienste), applies bandages to the wounded foot of a German solder.  The large canister sitting to the wounded mans left, and still attached to his combat harness, is a gas mask container.  The worn metal container hanging on the center of his back is his mess tin.  In the background can be seen an officer conducting a conference with a handful of men, while two more soldiers have their faces in the dirt.  I presume these two men are either seeking cover or handling something delicate.  The black line running to the right of this photograph is more than likely for telecommunication, allowing the officer here to coordinate with the greater battle being fought around him.

Panzers!

    Recently I found an archive of episodes for the series "German War Files".  This is an excellent series I recommend to all students of the German military of the 1930s and 1940s.  While the narration is often drowned out a bit by the unbalanced newsreel audio, the footage and information provided are wonderful, as well as the accompanying musical score.  I have linked the episode "Panzer: Germany's Ultimate War Machine" to my blog for your convenience.

    In addition to propaganda and newsreel footage, a number of training films are also included on this particular episode. "Kampfpanzer beim Einsatz" begins at time index 10:30 and familiarizes the viewer with some of the procedures and tactics used by the Panzer V crews (Panther), and those used by Soviet infantry.  "Lerhfilm Number 480" (training film number 480) begins at time index 20:07.  This excellent film illustrates the preparation, execution, restitution of lines, and withdrawal of a German mechanized infantry counterattack.  I highly recommend Lerhfilm 480 to anyone desiring a more detailed look at German small unit combined arms tactics.  

Total running time for this episode is 51:53.