Rating: 
Summary: The best book on infantry tactic ever.
Review: Attack: Rommel is one of the most well known and one of the best book ever written on infantry tactic. It was written by one of the most brillient infantry commander - ERwin Rommel, who later became a General Field Marshal in the German Army during WWII, and was known as the Desert Fox for his also brillient action in North Africa. In 1917, Rommel was awared the Pour le Merite - equal to the American Medal of Honor for a series of brillient combat actions which are described in this book.
The book includes all the battles Rommel fought during World War one. Therdescription of e is at least one clearly drawn map along with the each battle. At the end of each batttle there is a detail analysis written by Rommel himself on the battle.
Attack: Rommel was recongized by General George S. Patton Jr, who led the 3rd Army in the daring rescue of 101st Airborne division during the Battle of the Bulge, as the best book ever written on infantery tactic.
Rating:
Summary: A textbook for battalion commanders
Review: A masterful description of small unit action in WWI. Its amazing how articulate Rommel is in describing preparations for attack, use of terrain, change of plans on the spot and other details involved in executing battalion level orders. At the end of each battle sequence is an Observations section in which the lessons to be drawn are dispassionately stated.From this book its clear that during WW1 Rommel acquired most of the military characteristics that made him one of the best commanders of WW2. His emphasis on reconnaissance, deception, and surprise as well as his trademark "feel for the terrain" (fingersptizengefuhl) were all developed at the battalion level in this earlier conflict. Another real plus in this book are the maps (actually Rommel's hand sketches) showing terrain and lines of attack. Anyone who is interested in Rommel's military operations should start here. As a WW2 follow-on, I'd recommend Ronald Lewin's Rommel as Military Commander...for its detailed battle accounts and excellent maps. Fraser's and Irving's books are also good, but operate at a more general level and suffer from a lack of battle area maps.
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: Absolutely a must read for anyone interested in histroy of warfare as well as military tactics. Rommel's insight on incorporating terrain (great sketches and maps) and climatic elements in his tactics was particularly interesting. His well thought plans matched with practical drills prior to action gives the portrait of a great military mind. The battle accounts also portray a aggressive soldier that would not stop until his objective was achieved. In context of the history of WWI it is refreshing account which stands separate from the trench warfare that is normally associted with the ground war of that period. Its dynamic, fluid and interesting read.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic historical and tactical content
Review: As a layman, with no military or formal historical education, I found this book to be a rare and wonderful find. Its historical content, as well as its many tactical insights, made this a book I couldn't put down. I've read other "in your face" books on warfare(Che, Sun Tzu, Guadacanal), but have found their theorys, more often than not, a little biased. This book was plain and simple-- a man on a mission; no political whitewashing, no preaching of ideals, just very "in the moment" can-do/have-done reality. Most insightful about Rommel before his days in the desert; what could beat a first-person account by the man himself? This man knew how to exploit a situation, and was a natural fighter. Some of his exploits will leave you laughing, while others will illustrate the terrors of semi-modern warfare. I think most people, regardless of their age or interests, will enjoy this fascinating book.
Rating:
Summary: Small Group Leadership at its Best!
Review: Rommel's Attack is a great first person account on the activities of a junior military officer, trained on the concept of problem solving and overcoming the obstacles that he finds as he accomplishes the task that present themselves to him during combat in the Great War. In a war that has been defined as a defensive engagement, Rommel is consistently able to overcome these defenses, attack effectively, and achieve his objectives. This book is a great account on one military officers utilization of his leadership ability, coupled with the effective incorporation of those around him into an effective fighting organization. Rommel also incorporates numerous sketches of troop movements, obstacles overcome, and his battle plan intentions that add to the readers ability to learn from these writings. While many see warfare of today as much different from that of the Great War, it is important to remember that conflict still requires one group to overcome another and the thought process utilized by Rommel (and explained in this book) is still as useful today as it was then. This is a excellent book for those interested in then military, but should also be a must read for those who work with others at difficult task or objectives.
Rating: 
Summary: World War One Memoir
Review: Rommel's dynamic leadership came to the fore in battle where his decisiveness, ingenuity, and flexibility proved victorious over his opponents' static defenses. His mettle was indefatigable, for neither lack of sleep nor lack of food, or wounds prevented him from continuing his command (he relinquished it once while wounded, delirious, and incoherent). He would pierce the lines of the hostile position at the decisive point, turn and roll up the flanks on either side while his main force penetrated beyond unimpeded to attack secondary objectives. Then without respite, for Rommel's élan was boundless at the head of his troops where he could see his quarry before him. He would continue his relentless pursuit deep within severing communications en route. This caused mass confusion among his opponents who did not expect such an audacious attack so far from the front. Often Rommel convinced his opponents to surrender, not by force of arms, but by employing an infinitely subtler, yet utterly potent means: He mesmerized them with his white handkerchief. He would boldly approach his opponents waiving his handkerchief, which baffled and paralyzed them, as though he were waiving the Hammer of Thor. Then as he drew near, with a calm reassuring demeanor that exuded an aura of infinite superiority, he would demand their surrender. Their capitulation was certain and nearly complete, for only a few officers were impervious to the stratagem, but Rommel's men quickly subdued them. Other German soldiers emulated their redoubtable commander's tactics with great success too: One German soldier captured 75 prisoners without firing a shot. All tolled Rommel captured about 10,000 prisoners in this manner: He deluded his opponents into believing that he outnumbered them (25:1) when in fact it was he who was thus outnumbered-but not outmatched. Thus, Rommel achieved outstanding economy of force. Most of Rommel's attack methods may appear too risky, daring, or foolhardy-especially when he drives so deeply into hostile territory without proper support, ammunition, or reserves-however, this is quite specious, for he always calculated the risks, weighing one option against the other, with great circumspection and mathematical precision. Rommel's adversaries could not stop him, therefore, each tactical success he achieved fueled a chain of others in rapid succession, thus the adage, 'Strike while the iron is hot', amply applies to Rommel.
Rating:
Summary: WW1 wasn't all trenches
Review: Rommel's WW1 memoir shows the Great War wasn't all trenches. It also shows why the Germans used so much infiltration in WW2 - Rommel did it in WW1 (the Germans tried infiltration in France too), and this book was very influential.
Rating:
Summary: A Treatise on Maneuver Warfare by One Who Knew How to Do It
Review: This book covers Erwin Rommel's First World War experiences, from August 1914 to November 1917. Rommel served in interesting areas: France 1914-5, Romania 1916-7 and Italy 1917. The book was written in 1937 and is less a memoir than a manual on infantry operations. There is very little human detail. Nor is there any analysis of the big picture (Rommel was only a battalion commander by 1917). German troops are made to look invincible; the French, Italians and Romanians are depicted as second-rate. Rommel was a very aggressive mountain infantry officer and won the Pour le Merit in the Caporetto offensive. The tone is subtlety braggadocio. Rommel's style was overly aggressive and similar to Caesar's in the Balkans and Egypt: bold thrusts and pursuits with handfuls of troops which sometimes got Rommel into some very tight spots. He was almost killed or captured on several occasions. Note, the tactical lessons are too narrow to draw useful conclusions from other than: dig in whenever you stop, conduct reconnaissance while the main body rests/prepares and never stop pursuing a beaten foe. Logistics was evidently not one of Rommel's strengths and would later hurt him in Africa. Excellent sketch maps for most major actions. When I visited the Caporetto area in 1996 I brought Rommel's book and was easily able to relate the sketch maps to the terrain.
Rating:
Summary: A Treatise on Maneuver Warfare by One Who Knew How to Do It
Review: This book covers Erwin Rommel's First World War experiences, from August 1914 to November 1917. Rommel served in interesting areas: France 1914-5, Romania 1916-7 and Italy 1917. The book was written in 1937 and is less a memoir than a manual on infantry operations. There is very little human detail. Nor is there any analysis of the big picture (Rommel was only a battalion commander by 1917). German troops are made to look invincible; the French, Italians and Romanians are depicted as second-rate. Rommel was a very aggressive mountain infantry officer and won the Pour le Merit in the Caporetto offensive. The tone is subtlety braggadocio. Rommel's style was overly aggressive and similar to Caesar's in the Balkans and Egypt: bold thrusts and pursuits with handfuls of troops which sometimes got Rommel into some very tight spots. He was almost killed or captured on several occasions. Note, the tactical lessons are too narrow to draw useful conclusions from other than: dig in whenever you stop, conduct reconnaissance while the main body rests/prepares and never stop pursuing a beaten foe. Logistics was evidently not one of Rommel's strengths and would later hurt him in Africa. Excellent sketch maps for most major actions. When I visited the Caporetto area in 1996 I brought Rommel's book and was easily able to relate the sketch maps to the terrain.
Rating:
Summary: A textbook for battalion commanders
Review: This book will teach young leaders the fundementals of small unit leadership and the importance of talking the battle to the enemy. Outstanding descriptions of battlefields and tactics used; will break the minset that WWI was only trench warfare.
You will see the development of Blitzkrieg type tactics being formulated and the basis for modern warfare used to this day.
Great read for military or non-military people.
|
