SUCCESSOR TO HITLER
“Rommel Had Agreed” FRANKFURT, June 6. Field-Marshal Rommel would have taken over as Chief of the German State if the bomb plot against Hitler in July, 1944, had been successful, a former member of Rommel’s staff said today. Vice-Admiral Friedrich Ruge. in a book entitled “Memories of Rommel and the Invasion," said that Rommel had agreed in principal that he would take over the control of the Government and Army if Hitler died. The bomb plot against Hitler failed. It touched off a mass purge of Army officers and. although he was not directly accused of complicity, led to Rommel's death.
Hitler’s agents told Rommel that they knew he was concerned in the plot and offered him the choice of suicide or trial and execution. Rommel chose suicide.
Ruge said Rommel might have been able to throw back the Allied landings in Normandy had he been given a free hand. He was hindered, however, by orders from Hitler’s High Command Ruge was in charge of naval operations along the French coast under Rommel at the time of the Allied invasion. He is now a successful businessman.
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Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29224, 7 June 1960, Page 13
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189SUCCESSOR TO HITLER Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29224, 7 June 1960, Page 13
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