Rare Hoffmann postcard photograph of Field Marshal ERWIN ROMMEL taken from Rommel's desk at his home in Herrlingen by a G.I. billeted at the empty residence. The card bears a fine portrait of Rommel with his facsimile signature, the verso bearing a printed message: 'Unfortunately, the conditions in the African theater of war make it impossible for me to reply to the countless letters received from home. This applies in particular to the numerous requests for pictures and autographs. I therefore ask you to make do with this card.' Fine. This card was obtained by PFC Joseph H. Rose of HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Div. who served as a translator. In a note card typed by Rose approx. thirty years ago (copy included), he describes obtaining the card which he took from Rommel's desk in June, 1945. Also included in the lot is a copy of a photograph of Rose seated outdoors at Rommel's home with a jeep in the background, various newspaper articles including a ca. 1990 piece in which Rose describes being billeted at Rommel's empty home for over a month and later befriending Rommel's widow, a June 10, 1989 article with similar content, a copy of Rose's Enlisted Record and Report of Separation; a copy of a 1988 Civil War Round Table announcement of a speech by Rose on his occupation of Rommel's home, and an original letter of provenance from Rose's niece.