the enemy magician

To: All Commanders and Chiefs of Staff

From: Headquarters, B.T.E. and M.E.F.

There exists a real danger that our friend Rommel is becoming a kind of magician or bogey-man to our troops, who are talking far too much about him. He is by no means a superman, although he is undoubtedly very energetic and able. Even if he were a superman, it would still be highly undesirable that our men should credit him with supernatural powers.

I wish you to dispel by all possible means the idea that Rommel represents something more than an ordinary German general. The important thing now is to see it that we do not always talk of Rommel when we mean the enemy in Libya. We must refer to “The Germans” or “The Axis powers” or “the enemy” and not always keep harping on Rommel.

Please ensure that this order is put into immediate effect, and impress upon all Commanders that, from a psychological point of view, it is a matter of the highest importance.

(signed)

C.J. Auchinleck

General,

Commander-in-Chief, MEF