The Desert Fox, finally out-foxed.
Rommel and Patton — ancient warriors in a modern struggle.
Did they ever battle directly? I can’t seem to find definitive references...
I don’t think Rommel and Patton ever battled directly although it is certainly true they each had a healthy respect for each other. Patton was not at the Kasserine Pass when Rommel’s troops ambushed the Americans. Hitler shortly after that recalled Rommel back to Germany and Rommel was also facing health issues at the time and needed hospitalization. Rommel wanted to withdraw German forces out of Tunisia, but Hitler would have none it. As with Stalingrad, Hitler just let them stew there. When the Afrika Corp finally surrendered, the Allies netted even more German POWs than the Soviets did at Stalingrad.