Attacks

Erwin Rommel

ISBN 10: 0960273603 / ISBN 13: 9780960273607

Published by Athena Press (UT), 1979

About this Item

Infantry Attacks is a classic text in the field of military strategy. Written by German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, it was first published in 1937 as a journal-esque chronicle of the author's experiences in World War I and the lessons he learned there. In it, he provides detailed accounts of a variety of military strategies that rely on speed, deception, and deep penetration into enemy territory to intimidate and surprise opposing forces. Considered by his troops and enemies alike to be a humane, professional and immensely skilled officer, Rommel's use of intimidation and the advantage of surprise often forced enemies to surrender quickly, thereby avoiding unnecessary risk of injury and death for his troops (and their enemies), exertion, and expenditure of ammunition. Infantry Attacks was widely read by soldiers and military leaders upon its release and has become something of a staple in military education, providing a detailed glimpse into the tactics of an extremely effective and widely respected officer. It has been studied extensively throughout the West, particularly in the United States. The revered General George S. Patton is said to have been heavily influenced by this text. Rommel was appointed to the rank of high commander by Adolf Hitler in part because of the success of this book. Such positions were ordinarily reserved for members of old military families and the Prussian aristocracy, so this assignment spoke to Rommel's competence and the influence of his writing. Rommel went on to lead Hitler's Afrika Korps in North Africa. Although he planned to release a sequel based on his experiences there, he was unable to complete the manuscript before his death in 1944.

Seller Inventory # 00110778113

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Attacks
• Publisher: Athena Press (UT)
• Publication Date: 1979
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0960273603
• ISBN 13: 9780960273607
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Attacks is the most accurate English translation available today of Erwin Rommel's World War I military classic, Infanterie Greift An. Other publishers continue to reprint the 1944 US Army translation that was published under the title, Infantry Attacks, but those abridged editions are missing passages as well as a number of important drawings and sketch maps. The Army translation also suffered from a hurried wartime effort and contains numerous errors. Athena Press's Attacks is the only unabridged English edition that corrects these flaws with a revised translation and an improved collection of battle illustrations that are much easier to understand than the originals.

As the autobiographical record of a Great Captain, Attacks is a book of historical interest and importance. In tracing Rommel's development from a green lieutenant to a confident, seasoned and singularly successful commander, it provides keen insight into his mind and character. It is, as well, an important treatise on combat leadership and psychology, and contains many valuable lessons for those who would raise and train armies. Prime among these lessons is the reminder that men are the key element in combat; that it is the will, spirit and skill of men, led by competent and courageous officers that win battles; that high morale is developed by the accomplishment of difficult tasks.

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation)