He was a career military man who entered into the German infantry in 1910 and fought in World War I. In 1940 he was named commander of the 7th Panzer division and then in 1941 named commander of the German troops in North Africa. He continued to climb the ranks and became known for leading his men into battle in the front instead of from behind.
He became one of Germany's most popular military leaders. He was eventually called to oversea the German fronts at the Atlantic coast. It was there that he started to question Hitler's peace-making skills and Germany's reasons for being in the war. His friends told him he should be in power instead of Hitler and though he dismissed it, he didn't realize they were plotting to assassinate Hitler.
Rommel began talking to other officers about surrendering in 1944 when he realize they would lose the war and that July there was an attempted assassination on Hitler. It was revealed that Rommel had contact with the conspirators and he was given the choice to drink poison or go on trial.
He took the poison, committing suicide, in October 1944. He'll forever be remembered for his humane take on the war. The Allies respected him and his tactics. He refused to kill Jewish prisoners, he paid prisoners of war for their labor, and punished troops that killed civilians.
