Analysis of the Operational Leadership of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in theAfrika Korps

摘要

There is no doubt that Field Marshal Rommel was an exceptional leader, but whywas he such a poor operational leader. Examining Rommel's first year of command of the Afrika Korps it is evident that he possessed qualities necessary to be an exceptional operational leader, but he failed to understand operational logistics, and the primacy of policy and strategy. Additionally, his insistence to lead from the front caused unnecessary confusion among his forces, and his lack of unity of effort with his Italian allies decreased his combat efficiency and effectiveness. Rommel's inability to be concerned with other than tactical matters caused unnecessary losses for Germany in North Africa and assisted in Germany's failure to achieve her strategic objective in Russia.