Minifigure – Erwin Rommel Germany Generalfeldmarschall (Field Marshal) of World War II (LEGO Compatible)

This image displays a toy minifigure representing Erwin Rommel, one of Germany’s most famous and respected Generalfeldmarschall (Field Marshal) of World War II.

The figure is depicted in a highly decorated German Army General’s service uniform. He wears a grey officer’s peaked visor cap (Schirmmütze) with the gold piping and chin cords of a general. His tunic is field grey (Feldgrau) and features the distinctive bright red collar tabs (Kragenspiegel) with golden arabesque embroidery, which were exclusive to general officers.

His identity is confirmed by his unique and extensive collection of medals. Most notably, around his neck, he wears both the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, Germany’s highest award for valor in WWII, and the Pour le Mérite (informally known as the “Blue Max”), Imperial Prussia’s highest military honor, which he earned with distinction as a young officer in World War I. This combination of the Third Reich’s highest award and the old Imperial Prussia’s highest award was exceptionally rare and is famously associated with Rommel.

Historical Background: Erwin Rommel (1891-1944), popularly known as the “Desert Fox” (Wüstefuchs), was a German field marshal renowned for his brilliant leadership and tactical genius. He first gained fame as the commander of the 7th Panzer Division during the Battle of France in 1940. However, his legend was forged in the deserts of North Africa as the commander of the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK), where his daring and chivalrous conduct earned him the respect of his own troops and his Allied opponents alike. Later in the war, he was tasked with defending the Atlantic Wall against the Allied invasion of Normandy. Implicated in the 20th July plot to assassinate Hitler, Rommel was forced to commit suicide in October 1944.