This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/07/manfred-rommel

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Manfred Rommel obituary Manfred Rommel obituary
(about 1 month later)
Manfred Rommel, who has died aged 84, was Oberbürgermeister of the south German city of Stuttgart for 22 years and became Germany's most prominent and influential municipal politician. His fame extended well beyond the boundaries of his city and his country.Manfred Rommel, who has died aged 84, was Oberbürgermeister of the south German city of Stuttgart for 22 years and became Germany's most prominent and influential municipal politician. His fame extended well beyond the boundaries of his city and his country.
He was also the only son of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, one of Germany's most respected wartime generals, who was forced to kill himself for his alleged connection with the abortive army officers' plot against Hitler in July 1944, which provoked paranoid hysteria among Nazi leaders. As the field marshal's son, Manfred formed friendships with the those of his father's most prominent opponents, David Montgomery (the second viscount), son of the field marshal, and Major General George Patton, son of the leading American wartime tank commander of the same name. He was also the only son of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, one of Germany's most respected wartime generals, who was forced to kill himself for his alleged connection with the abortive army officers' plot against Hitler in July 1944, which provoked paranoid hysteria among Nazi leaders. As the field marshal's son, Manfred formed friendships with the children of his father's most prominent opponents, David Montgomery (the second viscount), son of the field marshal, and Major General George Patton, son of the leading American wartime tank commander of the same name.
As the anniversaries of the second world war came and went, Manfred Rommel, increasingly famous in his own right, often seemed bemused by the attention he received, especially from the British media. His easygoing manner and humour on such occasions and in general belied the energy and dedication he brought to the welfare of his native city. As the anniversaries of the second world war came and went, Manfred Rommel, increasingly famous in his own right, often seemed bemused by the attention he received, especially from the British media. His easygoing manner and humour on such occasions and in general belied the energy and dedication he brought to the welfare of his native city. He was only 14 when conscripted into the Luftwaffe as an anti-aircraft gunner. He later wanted to volunteer for the Waffen-SS, Himmler's fearsome parallel army, but was dissuaded by his father. When the field marshal killed himself, his son deserted and surrendered to French forces.
He was only 14 when conscripted into the Luftwaffe as an anti-aircraft gunner. He later wanted to volunteer for the Waffen-SS, Himmler's fearsome parallel army, but was dissuaded by his father. When the field marshal killed himself, his son deserted and surrendered to French forces. After his release from captivity, the young Rommel went back to school to take his matriculation in 1947, enabling him to study law and political science at Tübingen university. In 1956, he joined the civil service in the state government of Baden-Württemberg, of which Stuttgart is the capital.
After his release from captivity, the young Rommel went back to school to take his matriculation in 1947, enabling him to study law and political science at Tübingen university. In 1956, he joined the top flight of civil servants in the state government of Baden-Württemberg, of which Stuttgart is the capital.
As a federal country, Germany has three distinct tiers of administration – federal, state and municipal. Each has real power and offers worthwhile political and administrative careers. In 1974, Rommel ran for Oberbürgermeister of Stuttgart for the first time, winning in the second or run-off round. In later ballots, he was re-elected with majorities of about 70% in the first round.As a federal country, Germany has three distinct tiers of administration – federal, state and municipal. Each has real power and offers worthwhile political and administrative careers. In 1974, Rommel ran for Oberbürgermeister of Stuttgart for the first time, winning in the second or run-off round. In later ballots, he was re-elected with majorities of about 70% in the first round.
Although he belonged to the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Rommel was of a liberal disposition. The most dramatic demonstration of this came in his first term, which coincided with the height of the Baader-Meinhof terrorism campaign by disaffected, young, middle-class West Germans.Although he belonged to the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Rommel was of a liberal disposition. The most dramatic demonstration of this came in his first term, which coincided with the height of the Baader-Meinhof terrorism campaign by disaffected, young, middle-class West Germans.
After a series of crimes, including murders of symbolic public figures (and following massively disproportionate countermeasures by a panic-stricken West German establishment), the gang leaders were arrested and jailed, to await trial in a specially built, fortified courtroom at Stammheim prison in Stuttgart.After a series of crimes, including murders of symbolic public figures (and following massively disproportionate countermeasures by a panic-stricken West German establishment), the gang leaders were arrested and jailed, to await trial in a specially built, fortified courtroom at Stammheim prison in Stuttgart.
The uproar surrounding the arrests only increased when the trial began. The defendants and their lawyers ran rings round an ineptly controlled court, resulting in worldwide adverse publicity for West Germany. When the five principal defendants managed to kill themselves during the trial in what was meant to be the most secure prison in the country, the whole affair reached a crescendo.The uproar surrounding the arrests only increased when the trial began. The defendants and their lawyers ran rings round an ineptly controlled court, resulting in worldwide adverse publicity for West Germany. When the five principal defendants managed to kill themselves during the trial in what was meant to be the most secure prison in the country, the whole affair reached a crescendo.
It thus took considerable moral courage on Rommel's part to insist that the dead terrorists be given a proper burial, despite the risk that the graves would become shrines for extremists. But his popularity and career were unaffected. He sat on the presiding committee of the West German congress of cities from 1975 and chaired it for more than eight years, including the post-unification period when the body was joined by cities from the east. It thus took considerable moral courage on Rommel's part to insist that the dead terrorists be given a proper burial, despite the risk that the graves would become shrines for extremists. But his popularity and career were unaffected. He sat on the presiding committee of the West German congress of cities from 1975 and chaired it for more than eight years, including the post-unification period when the body was joined by cities from the east. Rommel also risked his popularity when he stood out for fair treatment for foreign immigrants, who were being drawn to the city of Mercedes-Benz by a booming economy.
Rommel also risked his popularity when he stood out for fair treatment for foreign immigrants, who were being drawn to the city of Mercedes-Benz by a booming economy. He saw it as enlightened self-interest to ensure equal rights for foreign settlers and their families, a policy that made Stuttgart an example of successful integration for other cities to follow. As Oberbürgermeister, Rommel exerted tight control over the city's finances, reducing its debt and enabling a radical makeover of the local infrastructure, especially roads and public transport. He also worked to foster Franco-German relations. He saw it as enlightened self-interest to ensure equal rights for foreign settlers and their families, a policy that made Stuttgart an example of successful integration for other cities to follow. As Oberbürgermeister, Rommel exerted tight control over the city's finances, reducing its debt and enabling a radical makeover of the local infrastructure, especially roads and public transport. He also worked to foster Franco- German relations.
His retirement in 1996 was prompted at least in part by the first symptoms of Parkinson's disease, of which he said: "When I got up, an enormous effort of will was necessary. Then I started to tremble, and began to write in ever-smaller letters, ever less readable." This did not stop him continuing a considerable literary output, including his memoirs in 1998 and several books on politics, economics and German affairs.His retirement in 1996 was prompted at least in part by the first symptoms of Parkinson's disease, of which he said: "When I got up, an enormous effort of will was necessary. Then I started to tremble, and began to write in ever-smaller letters, ever less readable." This did not stop him continuing a considerable literary output, including his memoirs in 1998 and several books on politics, economics and German affairs.
Among a plethora of honours from many countries were the British CBE, the French légion d'honneur, the US medal of freedom and the highest grade of the German federal order of merit. Nothing could have pleased him more than the freedom of the city of Stuttgart and its university. Among a plethora of honours from many countries were the CBE, the French légion d'honneur, the US medal of freedom and the highest grade of the German federal order of merit. Nothing could have pleased him more than the freedom of the city of Stuttgart and its university.
Rommel and his wife Liselotte, whom he married in 1954, had one daughter.Rommel and his wife Liselotte, whom he married in 1954, had one daughter.
• Manfred Rommel, politician, born 24 December 1928; died 7 November 2013 • Manfred Rommel, politician, born 24 December
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.