German field marshal who earned the sobriquet ?The Desert Fox? for his tactical genius as Commander of the Afrika Korps. In 1944 he was implicated in a plot to assassinate Hitler; given the choice of suicide or a trial, he ended his own life with poison. DS, boldly signed ?Rommel? in his customary pencil, one page, 8.25 x 10.75, December 19, 1941. Rommel authorizes the awarding of the Iron Cross to three named military personnel. In very fine, bright, unusually fresh condition, with usual filing holes at left edge. R&R COA.
