Let's be quite frank right up front. Erwin Rommel was a German general who supported, was patriotic to, and fought for Nazi Germany and Hitler. So, right from the start, we're not going to get into any hero worship here over a Nazi.
The above said, Rommel was a recognized strategist by his peers and opponents, so much so that it gave him the reputation and name of the "Desert Fox." Ultimately, Rommel decided Hitler was nutball and needed to be eliminated to save Germany, but that failed (Wolf's Lair assassination attempt) and Rommel had to commit suicide as an army officer and gentleman's punishment. Had he not, the SS would have bundled Rommel and his family off to concentration camp and had him killed anyways.
Interestingly, there are aspects to Rommel's approach to war that arguably could be applied to crypto investing. Here's how:
Blitzkrieg Approach: Swift and Decisive Actions
A Rommel approach in trading involves split moment attacks and withdrawals. It's a day-trader scenario that leans heavily on exact timing and success is scored by precise, scalpel-like execution on margins and momentary gaps. When these occur, a full throttle attack is made to get in, exact damage and get out with maximum effect and as little damage as possible. This skill doesn't come by accident. Rommel's tactical training was honed over multiple battlefields and constant engagement, so the crypto trader has to get their hands dirty a lot to see and understand the field intimately.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Fluidity in the Face of Uncertainty
Rommel also didn't get bogged down with traditional methods always being followed. He embraced creativity and used changing conditions to his advantage. He didn't force the field to work his way; he changed to the nature of the battlefield and used it to his advantage. The trader following a Rommel strategy is constantly reading the market for changes and determining whether they are an improvement or disadvantage. The same kind of trader is constantly learning new tools and applying them versus just relying on the tried and true.
Reconnaissance and Intelligence: Gather Data for Informed Decisions
Because in many situations Rommel's enemies were strong, had greater number or were better supplied, the German general used an extensive amount of information to his benefit. He never settled on ego and just knowing enough. The crypto trader following this strategy constantly updates his information and market data as well as information on those moving in and out of the same field. There were many battle opportunities Rommel passed on simply because he didn't have enough data or there were too many ambiguities. Rommel wanted to know the field well before engaging.
Risk Management: Avoiding Overextending
Rommel never liked being over-extended from his supply lines. Ultimately, that was his undoing in Northern Africa because Hitler pushed too hard with too little on the general. Crypto traders need to learn the same lesson. Sometimes a loss is better off taken then following up with more investment and making the loss worse or holding on too long. This is particularly applicable when playing options which can flip dramatically in a short amount of time.
Psychological Warfare: Mastering Emotional Control
Rommel was a master at using psychology against his enemies as well as to learn more about the battlefield. He constantly set up diversions or feints to either draw out the enemy, cause him to engage too early, or to follow red herrings. A famous one was Rommel's use of cardboard and inflatables to make it look like his tanks on the ground were a greater number than reality to enemy planes above. Traders who utilize Rommel's strategy do so with feints in markets that others are watching as well as remaining unemotional during engagements. A Rommel-style trader has no qualms about duping someone else to take a trade first to see if its safe or a disaster. He also will use subterfuge to obtain better pricing, shill-bidding and unethical negotiation to achieve advantages. The whole time, it's all business, no emotions.
In short, Rommel was no nice guy, but he was an effective killing machine leader on the battlefield. Regardless of his affiliation with Nazi Germany, Rommel's tactics and logistics are still studied regularly in war colleges because they were so effective. Many of the principles can be applied to crypto trading as well. It's probably the least popular way to make friends, but the approach can be highly effective with results.
