The back-story on Rommel

Not to say he wasn't a great general and all, but

he was unbeatable when he knew where the brits were (thanks to an American security breach of the codes to, ironically enough, Italian intel)

once that huge advantage was taken away, he didnt do so well.

spending D-Day away from his post didn't look so good on his record, either.

http://www.historynet.com/intercepted-communications-for-field-marshal-erwin-rommel.htm

all that said, the portrayal by Von Stroheim was wonderful - aristocratic, intelligent, humane. who cares if in 43, little was known about the details. what -we- can gleam from the film is that he was viewed admiringly by the Allies. there must have been good reason for that.