By Allan Hall PUBLISHED: 18:39 EST, 22 March 2012 | UPDATED: 05:25 EST, 23 March 2012 In matters of the heart, it appears Field Marshal Erwin Rommel's ruthless streak got the better of his chivalrous side He is viewed as Hitler’s finest general, respected even by the Allies as a professional and honourable soldier. But Erwin Rommel was also capable of great cunning, as his opponents learned when they were outmanoeuvred on the battlefields of North Africa. In matters of the heart, it appears that this ruthless streak got the better of his chivalrous side. In fact, his grandson says the man nicknamed the Desert Fox was a love rat.
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Josef Pan's grandmother Walburga had love affair with Rommel
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She committed suicide when he left her for, and married, Lucie Mollin
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Walburga bore Rommel illegitimate child, Gertrud, his 'little mouse'
Walburga
Walburga
‘@placeholder gave birth to my mother Gertrud Stemmer, on December 8, 1913, but he turned away from her and married Lucie Mollin in 1916,’ said Mr Pan.
Walburga
Walburga
He once said he would like to set up home with @placeholder and Gertrud.
Erwin Rommel
Erwin Rommel
Desert Fox
Rommel
Rommel
As long as @placeholder and Lucie (above) never had children, she held on to the conviction that he would return to her,' said Mr Pan
Gertrud
@placeholder exchanged hundreds of letters with her father and his wife knew about her.