Erwin Rommel

Rommel, Erwin (1891–1944), German field marshal, named the “Desert Fox” for his tactical genius as commander of the Afrika Korps (1941–43). His advance ended with the battle of El Alamein (1942). He commanded Army Group B in northern France when the Allies landed in Normandy (1944). He was implicated in the July 1944 plot to assassinate Hitler. Given the choice of suicide or trial, he took poison.

See also: World War II.