German officer Erwin Rommel's nickname was "The Desert Fox." He earned this nickname due to his successful military campaigns in North Africa during World War II. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Rommel was able to lead his troops to a number of victories against the British forces. His strategic tactics and ability to adapt to the harsh desert environment led to his reputation as a skilled and ruthless commander. However, after being implicated in a plot to assassinate Hitler, Rommel was forced to commit suicide in 1944.