rommel was born in heidenheim, germany, 45 kilometers (28 mi) from ulm, in the kingdom of württemberg which was then part of the german empire, on november 15, 1891. he was baptised on 17 november 1891. his father, erwin rommel (18601913) was a math teacher, and later a secondary school headmaster at aalen. his mother was helene von lutz, the daughter of a local government official. rommel was the second of four children; karl, gerhard, and helene. rommel wrote that his "early years passed very happily."