who was the german general his nickname and the city he was stopped at
Erwin Rommel
In the wake of the successful British offensive in November 1942 and other military reverses , the Propaganda Ministry directed the media to emphasize Rommel 's invincibility . The charade was maintained until the spring of 1943 , even as the German situation in Africa became increasingly precarious . To ensure that the inevitable defeat in Africa would not be associated with Rommel 's name , Goebbels had the Supreme High Command announce in May 1943 that Rommel was on a two - month leave for health reasons . Instead , the campaign was presented , by Berndt , who resumed his role in the Propaganda Ministry , as a ruse to tie down the British Empire while Germany was turning Europe into an impenetrable fortress , with Rommel at the helm of this success . After the radio program ran in May 1943 , Rommel sent Berndt a case of cigars as a sign of his gratitude . One
In the wake of the successful British offensive in November 1942 and other military reverses , the Propaganda Ministry directed the media to emphasize Rommel 's invincibility . The charade was maintained until the spring of 1943 , even as the German situation in Africa became increasingly precarious . To ensure that the inevitable defeat in Africa would not be associated with Rommel 's name , Goebbels had the Supreme High Command announce in May 1943 that Rommel was on a two - month leave for health reasons . Instead , the campaign was presented , by Berndt , who resumed his role in the Propaganda Ministry , as a ruse to tie down the British Empire while Germany was turning Europe into an impenetrable fortress , with Rommel at the helm of this success . After the radio program ran in May 1943 , Rommel sent Berndt a case of cigars as a sign of his gratitude . One