What Was He Like...Really?

[Wing]

I know we all have our own special interpretations of what Erwin was like from what we've gathered through various books...

But what was he really? Did he have a good sense of humour? How did he treat Manfred? When he got angry, did he throw pencils like I do, or did he [NOT] go the Patty route and swear blue murder? (Yeah right)

Feel free to put in anecdotes or excerpts from anything to prove your point or provoke some thought. I, for one, will be contributing some stuff, but don't have time at the moment as I'm starting my new school today.

[Qualerei]

Starting your new school today ? *checking her calendar* We're in december (almost). Just how long are holidays in the US ? Or did your school somehow blow up so you had to wait before starting classes ?

As for Rommel, the one thing I'm pretty certain about was how devoted a father and husband he was. I know I've already said it, but that's one side of his personnality I like. No tyrannizing over like an evil dictator. To prove my point, I'll say he wrote home daily, sometimes twice a day. Proof enough he missed his family a lot.

[Desert Stallion]

Several British prisoners who met him said he had an amazing sense of humor, for a German. If only I had Young's book here, I could show several examples. I need to go check it out again. Qual's right, I liked his family man characteristics. And when he couldn't write, he had his batman write to Lucie. I couldn't say she was too flattered at that though.

School blowing up? My. It does seem pretty late to be starting school (most start in August here, Qual), but I guess you're probably just changing schools, right?

[Qualerei]

Changing school ? Why would you do that ? Is the food that bad ?
Okay, you convinced me, I want this book written by Young. I want it now ! *shouts in the hope there's a fairy passing by who'd grant the wish*
*stares pathetically as nothing happens*

I love the idea he had a good sense of humour. People who have that feature are just so great to talk to ! Except my brother. He's a good sense of humour, but he's too clever. That's infuriating.

[ErwiiRommie]

He had one heck of a temper too. I've read that he was also sometimes impossible to deal with which made it quite frustrating for his officers.

[Qualerei]

Ha. That reminds me of this incident with his plane, when he nearly killed himself by flying into the storm, in spite of his officer's better advices... But I guess that's not easy to be commander in chief of an army. Sometimes, you need to make a decision and you don't know who's right, and lives are at stake, and you don't have time to ponder... But it must have been very trying for his officers, indeed. I mean, if he was a poor commander, they could just leave it at that. But imagine arguing with him for hours, getting on his bad side to prevent him from making a mistake, and eventually having to cope with him as he was right once again ?
*shakes head* Poor, poor Hans. Poor Fritz. Poor officers.

...

And poor Allied soldiers, eh.

[Desert Stallion]

I heard at least that he would cool down afterwards, and sometimes even apologize to the officer he chewed out, if it had been unwarranted punishment.

[Qualerei]

Well, I guess that's why all his officers put up with his temper But that's an interesting element to use in our Round Robin...

[Desert Stallion]

Hmm, changing topic, but I found some interesting tidbits in The Rommel Papers, concerning Rommel and his dogs. I love dogs, and it shows more than just his military side, aka, what was he like...really?

The Rommel Papers pages 462-3

21 of January, 1944
I’ve been a dog owner since yesterday, when the O.T. presented me with two dachshunds. One of them, a dog, is a year old, longhaired with a proper moustache. The other is only three months. The younger one was very affectionate immediately, but the older one is not so forthcoming. The two of them are now lying beneath my writing desk. The older one barks whenever anyone comes. They both howl occasionally at night. Probably they’re homesick for their previous owner.

26 of January, 1944
…My two hounds had to be separated, after the older one had well nigh killed the younger with affection.

27 of April, 1944
…My little dog is touchingly affectionate and loves sweet things. He sleeps in my room now, underneath my luggage stand. He’s going to be inoculated soon against distemper. …

8 of May, 1944
The O.T. have now sent me a big, brown, smooth-haired hunting dog. It’s young, good at following, and affectionate, and has soon settled down to its new life. Elbo (the younger of the dachshunds-Rommel had sent the elder home to his wife but it had been run over by a car) looked aggrieved at first, but he now has lots of fun with his playfellow. It was at feeding time that Elbo suffered badly at first. Anyway, the two of them got me up the hill four times yesterday. I shall either send Elbo to you shortly or get you to look out for a dog yourself. It’s strange what a distraction these creatures can be, and how they can take your mind off your troubles.



Poor Elbo, huh? Maybe I should write a fic from his point of view...
Suffering badly at feeding time? Looking aggrieved? Poor little guy. I like that name too, for some odd reason.

[Qualerei]

Eh, I noticed use of the "nigh" word
Interesting bit about Rommel's dogs. Well, I myself am more of a cat person (and for some reason I imagined Rommel would be too, guess I'm wrong). Pity he didn't call one of them Patton (although, he probably wasn't wicked enough to call his poor dog that). That would have been only fair retaliation, after all.

So he kept them while working and all ? Did his batman have to take care of them ?

[ErwiiRommie]

I think one of them got named "Panzer". Dunno who named it.