Rommel's rise is connected to Hitler's interest in his writing and to posts close to Hitler, including military liaison with the Hitler Youth and command of an escort battalion. Those relationships help explain his selection for later commands outside the usual General Staff route. His earlier experience fighting Italians forms part of a proposed explanation for later difficulty working with them. Criticism focuses on his treatment of Italian partners and his approach to logistics. These are judgments about the institutional and coalition difficulties surrounding his command.
Notable Point · 4:59:08-5:01:31
Rommel's appointments and relations with Italian allies
Appointment through personal connections and difficulties with allied cooperation form part of the criticism of Rommel's North African command.