Both Rommel and Patton were highly respected in their respective opponent’s camp. Rommel’s respect came not from his skill alone, but also from the fact that the general was not part of the Nazi Party. There were plenty of “incidents” that showed Rommel as a honorable man serving in a dishonorable system.

For example, Rommel disobeyed Hitler and his orders several times, including in El Alamien. Hitler had a “no retreat” command, but Rommel ordered retreat in order to save the lives of his men. Rommel also disobeyed orders for immediate executes of Jewish commandos in Allied uniform.

The British built a myth around the genius of Rommel. Churchill even named him in the House of Commons. However, it is worth noting that part of it was British strategy in showing Rommel as an extraordinary commander, which looked better than admitting that the British were not prepared for the war and admit its shortcomings. Rommel is just one of the few German commanders that have received sympathetic treatment in biographies written by British officers.