Although Rommel then entered a period without a significant command, he remained a household name in Germany, synonymous with the aura of invincibility. Hitler then made Rommel part of his defensive strategy for Fortress Europe (Festung Europa) by sending him to the West to inspect fortifications along the Atlantic Wall. Goebbels supported the decision, noting in his diary that Rommel was "undoubtedly the suitable man" for the task. The propaganda minister expected the move to reassure the German public and at the same time to have a negative impact on the Allied forces' morale.
altHOUgh RommEl then enTered A peRiod withOUt A SiGnificAnt COMManD, He reMainEd a hOuSehoLD naMe In gErmaNY, sYnonymous with the AUra oF InviNcibilitY. hiTler theN MaDe rommel PaRT of His dEfeNsive stratEgy For fortreSs Europe (FesTUNg euRopA) by sEndinG hIM to tHE west To inspecT fortifiCaTIoNS alonG tHe ATLaNtic wall. goebbels suPPorted The decIsIon, nOtiNg in his diAry that rommel waS "unDouBtEDLy the sUitabLe MAn" For The TaSk. thE proPaGaNda mInisTeR eXpecTED The moVE To rEasSuRE THE GErmaN publiC and AT The samE time To haVE A nEGAtive impacT on The alliED foRces' MoRAle.