A major archive of letters by and from German general Erwin Rommel (1891-1944) led an online sale at RR Auction, achieving $120,693 at its close on June 18.

The lot consists of almost 100 letters sent from the Desert Fox to his family and vice versa, the majority of which are handwritten and signed.

Erwin Rommel wrote the letters between 1939 and 1944

The majority date to between 1939 and 1940, although a handful date to 1941-1944, and offer an unparalleled insight into the mind of one of the most intriguing figures of the second world war.

Rommel is considered one of the greatest generals of all time and was particularly skilled in desert combat (he earned his nickname commanding German forces in North Africa).

In stark contrast to other officers fighting for the Nazis, he carried a reputation as a humane and honourable man who treated his prisoners humanely and ignored orders to kill civilians and Jews - although detractors maintain that this reputation was undeserved.

He became involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler in 1944 for which he was sentenced to death. As he was a national hero, he was executed in secret and received a state funeral.

We have a superb collection of militaria available, including this signed letter from Winston Churchill - who once said of Rommel: "We have a very daring and skilful opponent against us, and, may I say across the havoc of war, a great general."

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