Lot 874
FIELD MARSHALL ERWIN ROMMEL'S STAFF CAR STANDARD.
A finely worked standard with crossed Field Marshall's Batons with an eagle holding the Swastika in its claws above, all against a kahki ground. Mounted in a chrome mounts and upright for mounting to the Staff Car. 54 x 37 cm (maximum dimensions).
Provenance: Desmond Young to whom gifted by Rommel's widow and thence by descent in the family.
See Illustration
Desmond Young's life is fascinatingly told in his autobiography of 1963 'Try Anythig Twice', the book's cover claiming him to be 'Soldier, salvage expert and newspaper editor'. As a soldier, as with all his exploits he was successful and courageous, he was severely wounded at Ypres during the Great War whilst commanding a company in the King's Royal Rifle Corps. During the Second War, at the age of 50, he insisted on playing his part and became a soldier again joining the Indian Army. He was captured by Rommel's tanks near Bir Hacheim, at which time he encountered the Field Marshall in person where he apparently intervened in an altercation to Young's benefit. Following escape whilst a prisoner of war he rose to the rank of Brigadier.
His wartime experience and brief encounter with Rommel clearly left an impression and after the war, early in 1949 when having an 'economy' lunch at the Ritz Grill with his wife that Rommel's name came up in conversation. 'You Know ... I wonder that no one has thought of writing the life of Rommel ...' remarked his wife. At this he swapped his bottle of Beer for Bollinger with the comment 'I think you have got something'. Within days interest had been gained from a publisher and he was discussing the book wit Frau Rommel. 'Frau Rommel and I were friends by the end of luncheon and have so remained'.
'Rommel' was published by Collins in 1950 and the film 'The Dessert Fox' soon followed, both to much critical acclaim. Young appears in the film telling the story of his encounter with Rommel and his time with Frau Rommel. The film remains popular today as a well presented and entertaining account by those who knew Rommel and had served alongside or against him. After the war Frau Rommel had money worries and Young gave her the rights to the European translations of the book, in exchange for this he was given the standard that is offered for sale here.
From Desmond Young's biography of 1950 onwards there has been a great deal written and debated about Rommel's life and military career. It is regularly suggested that he is Germany's most celebrated soldier and as soldier and tactician his reputation is second to none. With a well documented part in the First World War where he was renowned for leading from the front to the extent that his troops apparently joked that 'where Rommel is ... that is the Front'. He was wounded a number of times and gained the respect of his men and enemies. During the Second World War he became a close confidant of Hitler's and became a widely respect and highly decorated Field Marshall, especially in relation to his role in the African conflict.
Rommel's part in the plot to kill Hitler in the summer of 1944 is unclear and much debated, what is certain is that the fallout from this event led to his downfall. Charged with Treason he was persuaded to commit suicide rather than bring about the sensation of a trial with the undoubted damage to the regime that this would cause as well as threats made to the safety of his son and wife.
'The Dessert Fox' closes with a quote from Churchill "His ardour and daring inflicted grievous disaster upon us, but he deserves the salute which I made him in the House of Commons in January 1942. He also deserves our respect because although a loyal German soldier he came to hate Hitler and all his works and took part in the conspiracy to rescue Germany by displacing the maniac and tyrant. For this he paid the forfeit of his life. In the wars of modern democracy there is little place for chivalry.
