The Mystery of Rommel's Strafing Attack
Normandy July 1944
(Michael Fraticelli - 2020)
Erwin Rommel In Better Days Rommel's Recovery From The Strafing Attack
We're all familiar with the term 'Fog Of War'.
Somewhat related to the circumstances of the Rommel attack, in the past 10 years two corrections have been discovered properly identifying US Marines who raised the
2nd flag on Mount Suribachi during the battle for Iwo Jima. All of this tedious but passionate research would not be possible without amateur and professional
historians alike. In the case of the Iconic Iwo Jima photograph, the resulting research was so compelling, the USMC were finally convinced to
correct official records and credit US Marines: Private First Class Harold Henry Schultz and Corporal Harold P. Keller.
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Another mystery story (of lesser significance), but intriguing nevertheless...
On July 17th 1944 1st Lt. Harold O. Miller, (Eighth U.S. Army Air Force) reported strafing a German Staff Car in Normandy France 20 miles behind enemy
lines. Initial German details were not clear but apparently fabricated an announcement that Field Marshall Rommel had been
killed during a strafing attack on his staff car in the French village of Ste-Foy-de-Montgommery. Of course we later discovered Rommel suffered
serious head and eye injuries from the attack but survived. Twenty year old Santa Rosa California fighter pilot Harold Miller's experience created a
sensational news story. Original press releases erroneously stated that Miller was in fact 'the' Allied airman who killed Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.
Was Lt. Harold O. Miller responsible for the attack?
For years, independent researchers, authors and history buffs became very familiar with this story. As recent as 2016 efforts to uncover more precise details
with regard to who exactly was responsible for the attack can be seen in numerous online discussion groups, (see the links below). According to official German
war records, and the web site for Normandy Battlefield Tours, a seemingly common denominator indicated the attacking aircraft was a Spitfire.
However, additional information accumulated over the years further mystified details because it turns out there were numerous claimants to the action:
Chris Le Roux - Australian and RAF 602 Squadron
Jacques Remlinger - French and RAF 602 Squadron
James W. Darling - RAF (193 Squadron) Hawker Typhoon
Wing Commander Johnny Baldwin - RAF (193 Squadron) Hawker Typhoon
Flt. Lt. Bill Switzer - RAF (193 Squadron) Hawker Typhoon
Charley Fox - Canadian (RCAF) 412 Squadron
Lt. Ralph C. Jenkins - (USAAF) 510th Fighter-Bomber Squadron Flying a P-47
Flt. Officer Stanski - RAF 308 Squadron Flying a Spitfire
Lt. Harold O. Miller - 8th Fighter Command Flying a Thunderbolt
So the question remains 'Who' was responsible for the attack?
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A brief summation of the pilots and their claims
Various theories have been put forth but few appear to be conclusive? The stories are plentiful and quite lengthy so I will not
attempt to include every story in its entirety. Instead I've provided relevant interesting photographs, articles and footage. You can read
many of the original articles in the links below.
At some point the Royal Air Force gave credit to pilot Chris Le Roux (Australian and RAF 602 Squadron)
but couldn't actually prove it. Charley Fox (Australian and RAF 602 Squadron) made his claim about 60 years after the fact. After the war Jacques Remlinger
was awarded the DFC and told he was responsible for taking Rommel out. Then Flight Officer Stanski (RAF 308 Squadron) was told two days
after his action, he was the one "who shot up Rommel". The 'Madera Tribune' (November 28th 1944) was one of the first stories giving credit to
Lt. Harold O. Miller. But according to official German war records the attacking aircraft was believed to be a Spitfire, whereas
Lt. Miller piloted a Thunderbolt. Other details pointed out the actual location of attack was between an area labeled the 'Gate Lodge'
and a 'Bridge over a Stream' (see the photos). Lt. Miller's gun camera footage does not show these details.
In 2001-2007 the grandson of Flight Lieutenant James W. Darling (193 Squadron), indicated that author Norman Franks "Typhoon Attack" included:
"Another significant event on July 17 [1944] was that Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, who commanded the Germans in Normandy,
received wounds that effectively put him out of the battle. He had been inspecting frontline troops as he expected an Allied offensive.
On his return to his HQ, his staff car was strafed by Allied fighters. Although one of his officers thought the aircraft were Spitfires,
history records it as Typhoons of 193 Squadron, led by Wing Commander Johnny Baldwin."
And according to British Archivist Reginald Byron:
"In the seven decades since the event, at least eight claims have been made about the identity of the pilot who strafed Rommel’s car.
Within hours of the news report that Rommel’s car had been hit, the Americans claimed that one of their P-47 pilots was responsible.
Capt. Ralph C. Jenkins of the 510th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, Ninth Air Force, reported shooting up a German staff car in the
St Lô area and on a second pass is said to have seen bodies strewn in the road. The Jenkins claim has since been re-told many
times and has become something of a legend. The problem is that St Lô is 30 miles to the west of Ste Foy de Montgommery, which
on the best evidence available today is the place where the incident happened."
The mystery continues ....
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Rommel's Mythical Image
In light of the fact Erwin Rommel played a pivotal, at times 'Mythical' part in the campaign for North Africa 1940-43,
I was naturally fascinated by the stories and research which emerged over the years regarding the attack. In this article I put together a compilation
of key aspects including video-film extracts (conveniently all in one place) covering the July 17th 1944 strafing attack. Although
the History Channel clip (below) featuring pilot Jacques Remlinger (RAF 602 Squadron) flying a Spitfire, seems most plausible, you be the judge.
It's amazing to see so many combat pilots recounting their personal stories claiming responsibility for the attack. And
yet none of the Field Marshall's injuries actually claimed his life until Adolf Hitler gave the order to have Rommel dispensed with.
Adding an even greater element of intrigue, read the 2016 medical opinion (below):
"The head injury that may have prolonged the Second World War"
Countless tales became legends from both German and American veterans heaping well-earned praise and chivalry to
Erwin Rommel. In 2010 I was fortunate to become friends with Afrika Korp veteran Rudolf Schneider who was as close to the Field Marshall
as anyone could be. I visited Rudolph in Dresden Germany where I actually held Rommel's compass and field maps in my own hands!
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"The head injury that may have prolonged the Second World War"
(Reposted From Neurosurgical Focus)
War-related head injury, indeed neurological injury in general, has been a part of the history of humankind for as long as there has
been warfare. Such injuries can result in the removal of the individual from combat, thus eliminating any subsequent
contribution that he or she might have made to the battle. However, at times, the injuries can have more wide-reaching effects. In the
case of commanders or leaders, the impact of their injuries may include the loss of their influence, planning, and leadership, and
thus have a disproportionate effect on the battle, or indeed the war. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was a talented military strategist
and leader who was respected by friends and foes alike. He held an honored reputation by the German people and the military
leadership. His head injury on July 17, 1944, resulted in his being removed from the field of battle in northern France, but also meant
that he was not able to lend his stature to the assassination attempt of Adolph Hitler on July 20. It is possible that, had he
been able to lend his stature to the events, Hitler's hold on the nation's government might have been loosened, and the war might
have been brought to an end a year earlier. The authors review Rommel's career, his injury, the subsequent medical treatment, and
his subsequent death.
Full Article: Neurosurgical Focus - The Head Injury To Erwin Rommel
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Film Clips - The Pilots and General Information
Note the interesting connection in the History Channel excerpt (bottom left) and the clip from the Guido Knopp documentary,
Hitler's Warriors, in which the narrative from (both) German veterans refer to Captain Hellmuth Lang.
Film Clips - The Aircraft Employed In The Attack
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Letter Of Deposition Written By Rommel's son Manfred - 1945
The historical record states Rommel was forced to commit suicide a couple of
months after the strafing attack for allegedly taking part in a plot against Hitler. The details were
vividly recalled by Rommel's son Manfred in the actual deposition below.
Credit for the Letter of Deposition goes to The Telegraph
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Letter Written By Rommel To His Wife - 1944
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Nat'l Archives Gun Camera Photographs - Lt. Harold O. Miller
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German Propaganda October 1944 - NY Times
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Tim Darling's Excellent Stories Regarding His Grandfather
Flight Lieutenant James W. Darling (193 Squadron)
James Darling was an RAF pilot who flew Hawker Typhoon bombers over occupied France and Belgium in World War II.
In 1944, he was one of 8 men credited with killing Erwin Rommel, though it was later discovered that Rommel was only
wounded in the attack. The historical record states Rommel was forced to commit suicide a couple of
months later for allegedly taking part in a plot against Hitler. The details were vividly recalled by Rommel's son Manfred
and illustrated above in the actual deposition.
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Rommel's Wrecked Staff Car
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Rare Personal Photographs of Rommel
Provided by Afrika Korp veteran
Rudolph Schneider
(Not Cataloged At NARA)
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Original Collage - Field Marshall Rommel in North Africa 1940-43
I thank each and every author, historian and serviceman for their efforts!
2019 © www.ww2survivorstories.com
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SOURCES
National Archives and Records Administration
Orbis Publishing
New York Times
Neurosurgical Focus 2016
Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers
Montrose Herald
Tangmere Military Aviation Museum
The History Channel
Senior management at Veterans Affairs Canada
Interview of Charley Fox - 412 Spitfire Squadron
Aircraftman 2nd Class / Flight Lieutenant
Occupation: Pilot of P-47 Thunderbolt
www.veterans.gc.ca
Radio Canada International
Rommel Under Attack - 2002-2016
Strafing Rommel - Modified 2019
Flight Lieutenant James W. Darling
Grandfather’s WWII journal
Heins' Account of RAF Attack on Rommel July 17, 1994 - Tim Darling
The Telegraph - Rommel's Obituary Article - Nov 2013
Manfred Rommel, son of the Desert Fox forged a great
friendship with General Bernard Montgomery's son which
became a symbol of post-war reconciliation
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel: the head injury that may have prolonged the Second World War - July 2016
https://thejns.org/focus/view/journals/neurosurg-focus/41/1/article-pE8.xml
Individual Web Page Articles
The Canadian who changed the course of WWII - Flight Lt. Charley Fox - 2016
https://www.rcinet.ca/en/2016/07/15/history-july-17-1944-the-canadian-who-changed-the-course-of-wwii/
Who Shot Rommel? - 2016 - Compilation of Pilots
https://www.tangmere-museum.org.uk/articles/who-shot-rommel
Excerpts from my grandfather’s WWII journal - Flight Lieutenant James W. Darling - 2001-2007
http://www.amnesta.net/other/
Heins' Account of RAF Attack on Rommel July 17, 1994 - Tim Darling
http://www.amnesta.net/other/rommel.html
Rommel Under Attack - 2002-2016 - Charley Fox
http://www.spitcrazy.com/Charleysaccount.htm
Strafing Rommel - Modified 2019 - Charley Fox
https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/video-gallery/video/4899
Obituary Jacques Remlinger DFC Legion d'Honneur - Modified 2018
http://aircrewremembered.com/remlinger-jacques-obituary.html
Normandy Battlefield Tours - Rommel Strafed
https://normandybattlefields.com/rommel-strafed-looking-north-today/
Discussions
Whitebeam Battlefield Research Forum Normandy 1944
Pat Curran Feb 18 2013 Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
Forum Discussion - 2007
Who Strafed Rommel? - Royal Air Force - 2007
http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/15693.php
Forum Discussion - 2013
Case #1 - Who Strafed Rommel's Car?
http://normandy.whitebeamimages.ie/forum/threads/case-1-who-strafed-rommels-car.67/
Forum Discussion - 2014
France 1944 The Strafing of Generalfeldmarschal Rommel
http://histomil.com/viewtopic.php?t=19844