Was Rommel an Anti-Semite?

Question

I've heard that he was not. Latter I've heard that he would have joined the fray if not because of political consideration. I forgot the source.

Answer 1

First of all, I am half Jewish ethnically. I also am related to several people who perished in the concentration camps, particularly Auschwitz. So, for many reasons, World War II is of interest to me. I am also interested in military history. I have done quite a bit of reading about World War II and some reading about Rommel since, despite fighting against my country, he was a brilliant and able field commander. I am not a historian, so I do not claim to be an expert on History; I am just well read on this particular time in World History.

Rommel was Hitler's favorite general. Rommel did the best that he could to win, not because he supported Hitler's policies, but because his country was at war. He had a motto: "War without hate.", which he used to describe his North Africa campaign.

Rommel had a strong relationship and friendship with Hitler. Rommel was an ambitious man and rose through the officer ranks quickly because of Hitler's influence. Rommel himself admitted that he owed his career to Hitler.

Even though Rommel's and Hitler's relationship was close and symbiotic, each benefiting from the other, it was also complicated. Rommel never was a Nazi and never joined or supported the party or its rhetoric. Hitler gave an order to all of his generals to kill on the spot any Jewish soldier that they captured, however Rommel refused to obey that order and in fact complained to Hitler about it. Also, Rommel was a man of principle and ensured a proper and respectful burial of every fallen Allied soldier. Lastly, Rommel participated in an attempt to assassinate Hitler, for which Hitler forced Rommel to commit suicide. Hitler privately chose this manner of death because Rommel was way too popular to execute.

In general, I would say that Rommel was a good guy fighting for the wrong side. I would say that he was not an anti-Semite. Had he lived to see the end of World War II, I do not believe that he would have been executed at Nuremberg. The Allied commanders also liked and respected Rommel and knew he was generally a good man.