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World War II-dated TLS in German, signed “Erwin,” one page, 8.25 x 11.75, personal 'Panzer Army Africa, Commander-in-Chief' letterhead, May 13, 1942, thirteen days before he launched the Battle of Gazala, the most spectacular offensive of his career and the campaign that would culminate in the fall of Tobruk and his elevation to Generalfeldmarschall. Addressed from “Africa,” a letter to a fellow officer named “Wilhelm,” apparently a comrade from Rommel's earlier service, who was at the time attending a course in Vienna. In full (translated): “Many heartfelt thanks for your kind letter of May 1st, which I wish to answer at once. I also thank you sincerely for your congratulations on my decoration and promotion. You can imagine that I continue to lead a very active life and often scarcely have time for myself. Under these circumstances, you will also understand my lack of diligence in writing. Shortly after our successful counteroffensive, I was at home for four weeks, but found no inner peace, as the responsibility for this theater of war weighed too heavily upon me. Soon the forces here will clash again, and we hope to make our contribution to final victory. As for your new command, I wish that you find a sphere of activity here that suits you well. During the course in Vienna, you will surely visit my family, and I am especially pleased about that. It is only a pity that I cannot be there. My warmest regards to you and your family.” In fine condition, with a partial separation to the horizontal fold.
Rommel's letter refers to two major honors conferred in rapid succession in early 1942. On January 20th, he was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, placing him among the earliest recipients of that distinction, which had only been instituted the previous July. Shortly thereafter, he launched his January counteroffensive, which reversed the setbacks of Operation Crusader and drove British forces back across Cyrenaica. Ten days later, on January 30th, Rommel was promoted to Generaloberst (Colonel General) in formal recognition of his successes commanding Panzer Army Afrika.
The letter’s most historically revealing passage describes a period of home leave taken shortly after the counteroffensive: four weeks in Germany during which Rommel confesses he found no inner peace. The weight of his command followed him home. This leave aligns with the February-March 1942 lull between the counteroffensive and the coming summer campaign and is consistent with his known visit to Hitler’s Wolf’s Lair on March 20, 1942, where the Swords were formally presented, and Rommel pressed, largely without success, for the reinforcements he believed essential for a decisive push into Egypt.
Writing in mid-May, Rommel signals that a clash is imminent, noting that “soon the forces here will clash again, and we hope to make our contribution to final victory.” Within a fortnight, he would strike. The Battle of Gazala opened on May 26th, Tobruk fell on June 21st, and Hitler promoted him to Generalfeldmarschall the following day. The letter thus sits at the precise hinge point between Rommel’s two defining acts of 1942: the January counteroffensive that made his reputation undeniable and the summer offensive that made it legendary.
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