How did Erwin Rommel’s World War I experience influence his military teaching?

Erwin Rommel’s experiences as a frontline infantry officer during World War I were foundational to his approach to military instruction. Rather than pursuing a traditional career on the general staff, Rommel remained with the infantry, which allowed him to develop a deep understanding of his soldiers and a practical, firsthand perspective on combat.1

These battlefield experiences, combined with his dedication to training young soldiers in tactical thinking, became the core components of his military textbook, Infanterie greift an ("Infantry Attacks"), published in 1937. The work was highly regarded for its insights into leadership and the realities of frontline warfare, reflecting the lessons he learned while fighting in France, Romania, and Italy. His talent for teaching eventually led to his appointment to various military academies, where he emphasized the importance of initiative and boldness—traits that would later define his command style in World War II.1