Relatively speaking, Rommel was mediocre.
The Eastern Front Generals did most of the Reich’s heavy lifting and lasted, despite Hitler’s interference, for a remarkably long time...
“The Eastern Front Generals did most of the Reich’s heavy lifting”
While true, it doesn’t speak against Rommel. He couldn’t give the British and Americans more weapons and bodies or make Africa more strategically important by his generalship.
“despite Hitler’s interference”
Das Fuhrer’s incompetence has been exaggerated, partly by the old favorite ploy of generals blaming civilian leadership. But where Hitler made hus biggest mistakes, Stalingrad for instance, Rommel was affected too. You don’t think men and supplies got to Africa by magic. Hitler rightly prioritized the east over Africa, but bungling the east left Afrikacorp high and dry.