Battle Quote by Manfred Rommel
![“So my father [Erwin Rommel] decided during the battle in Normandy, he knew really soon that it wasn't possible to win this battle. But my father decided pretty soon to, if necessary, to surrender on his own responsibility when the British or Americans penetrate the German positions.” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a9/manfred-rommel-39046_battle_so-my-father-erwin-rommel-decided-during_535121.jpg)
“So my father [Erwin Rommel] decided during the battle in Normandy, he knew really soon that it wasn't possible to win this battle. But my father decided pretty soon to, if necessary, to surrender on his own responsibility when the British or Americans penetrate the German positions.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Manfred Rommel on his father Erwin Rommel, 1970s
Erwin Rommel recognized the futility of the Normandy battle and chose personal responsibility to surrender, showing pragmatic leadership over blind obedience.
In simple terms: Rommel chose surrender to avoid futile loss.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize realistic assessment over stubbornness.
Themes
leadership
military
ethics
responsibility
pragmatism
Mood
reflective
historical
strategic
Type
military
leadership
When to use this quote
- battlefield
- command decisions
- family legacy
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
war strategy
personal honor
decision making
Questions to Reflect On
- When should a leader prioritize survival over victory?
- How does personal responsibility shape historical narratives?
A Different Perspective
Surrender may be seen as cowardice, conflicting with honor codes.
![“[Erwin Rommel] explained why in short words, what the two generals' message and then he explained his position and he gave some reason for his position. And then he said, "The ten minutes are over, and I have to leave now." Then my father said goodbye. He also told that us that in I think twenty…” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2d3/manfred-rommel-39046_died_erwin-rommel-explained-why-in-short-word_63616.jpg)
![“My father [Erwin Rommel] believed that Germany should have a great interest to leave the war with a peace under conditions.” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6d6/manfred-rommel-39046_conditions_my-father-erwin-rommel-believed-that-ger_2996005.jpg)
![“It was very strange, because my father [ Erwin Rommel] received the first call at seven o'clock in the morning. And [Hans] Speidel told my father, "I will call you up in one hour when I see more clearly what's going on." After an hour, Speidel said, "Yes, the landing took place in Normandy." And…” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7a6/manfred-rommel-39046_british_it-was-very-strange-because-my-father-er_2538770.jpg)
![“I think my father [ Erwin Rommel] would have given the same answer. The British and Americans and the French were too strong, too strong and the strategy of this battle was too clever. And the war may be - it would have taken some weeks longer before the German front was penetrated. And by the…” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08d/manfred-rommel-39046_answers_i-think-my-father-erwin-rommel-would-hav_3187954.jpg)
![“My father [Erwin Rommel] believed that [Adolf] Hitler has a gift of touching the important points, the essential points.” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5bf/manfred-rommel-39046_essentials_my-father-erwin-rommel-believed-that-ado_795562.jpg)
![“It may be that [Erwin Rommel] believed it to be possible to convince [Adolf] Hitler to go away and to end the war, but Hitler never dreamed of doing something like that.” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9c8/manfred-rommel-39046_convince_it-may-be-that-erwin-rommel-believed-it_77433.jpg)
![“This is our problem, our dilemma, yes? We cannot celebrate and declare ourselves to belong to the victorious nations because our brothers and our fathers and grandfathers died in this battle [in Normandy], yes. I understand that the Americans and the British and French celebrate one of the…” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2fe/manfred-rommel-39046_battle_this-is-our-problem-our-dilemma-yes-we-c_97284.jpg)
![“[D-Day] means to me a beginning of the freedom of Europe. The freedom was the achievement of the military adversaries of the Germans.” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f6c/manfred-rommel-39046_achievement_d-day-means-to-me-a-beginning-of-the-fre_690307.jpg)
![“Of course, [Adolf] Hitler was a dilettante, but he was a completely amoral person. Yes, he had no morals at all.” quote by Manfred Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/df8/manfred-rommel-39046_courses_of-course-adolf-hitler-was-a-dilettante_1080340.jpg)
