The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel Page #4

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between the British, the Free French

and the Americans under Eisenhower,

and surrendered unconditionally.

But the Afrika Korps went

into captivity without its leader.

For, a month before the end,

Rommel had again fallen ill and been

invalided back to the hospital in Germany.

- Morning, Sergeant.

- Morning, Frau Rommel. Manfred.

Morning.

- Dr Strolin.

- Karl Strolin, Lord Mayor of Stuttgart.

- An old friend of the field marshal's.

- You'll find him much better this morning.

All he needed was a little rest.

Frau Rommel...

Manfred Rommel...

and Dr Karl Strolin.

From Stuttgart?

Not only from, but lord mayor of.

And don't tell me he's on the list.

Dr Karl Strolin, Lord Mayor of Stuttgart.

She says he's an old friend

of the field marshal.

Nevertheless, here he is.

"To be kept under the closest observation

whenever discovered outside Stuttgart. "

Not that it could really

be described as an argument.

It's impossible to have an argument with him

in the sense that you and I could have one.

He raves. He screams.

He goes into such hysterics it's like trying

to make sense with a panic-stricken woman.

He called him a coward.

Did he really use that word to you?

Not once, but several times.

In Russia, he said, officers like me

have been put against the wall and shot.

Nor must I think it couldn't happen to me.

And that was his thanks. That was his

gratitude for all that Erwin has done for him.

But you mustn't hold people accountable for

everything they say when emotionally upset.

The war's not going well

and he's naturally worried.

But I'm afraid it'll be a long time before

I forget what he did to the Afrika Korps.

What was that?

When the end was near,

and I asked him to get them out,

he said he had no further interest

or concern in the Afrika Korps.

And that was their thanks.

Rommel, I should like to ask you a question.

If you don't care to answer, I understand,

but, with your permission,

I should like to ask it nevertheless.

What is it?

Do you really believe that we can win?

- I'll tell you what he believes.

- Yes?

He doesn't think so.

He told you that himself?

He did.

And he understands

what that'll mean this time?

Apparently.

Then why do we go on?

Because we have no choice.

Because no country we're fighting - England,

America, Russia - will make peace with him.

He admitted that?

And it's the truth, of course.

In other words,

while he remains as leader of Germany

we must fight on until we're destroyed.

Victory or death, as ever.

I take it that he didn't mention

the obvious solution to the situation.

- What do you mean?

- Abdication.

Now, my dear Strolin...

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