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MONTGOMERY, Bernard Law (1887-1976) |
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| Field Marshal
Bernard Law Montgomery, later known as "Monty" was born in 1887 and spent
much of his childhood in Tasmania. He was later educated at St Paul's School
and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst. He was probably the most mis-understood
general in the Allied Forces during the Second World War. His military career began during the First World War, where he served with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. After suffering an almost fatal injury he became an Army man and gained the rank of general during the Second World War. He commanded the 3rd Division's evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940 and by 1941 restored confidence and the will to win. He was a determined character and in 1944 rose to become the Supreme Commander of the Eighth Army in North Africa. Shortly after, he was appointed Commander in Chief of the ground forces. This enabled him to have complete power to control all infantry manoeuvres in the Normandy Campaign where he led British and Canadian forces to victory across northern France, Belgium and Holland. "Monty" was an unusual figure for a Commander. He was a small and fit man of only 5 feet seven, who was very particular about his appearance. He was usually seen wearing his khaki shirt, sleeves rolled up, corduroy trousers chukka boots and a black beret with two badges. he was intolerant of military bureaucracy and preferred informality. His voice was high-pitched with an impeccable accent. Incapable of self-criticism he was a perfectionist in many ways. His sometimes difficult and irritable manner won him many critics, as did some of his military decisions. He did however have as many admirers as critics. Between 1944 and 1946, after the war had ended Montgomery continued to serve as leader of the British Military and later as deputy Supreme Commander of NATO. 10 years later he retired and decided to write up his memoirs. He died at the age of 88 in 1976. More about Bernard Montgomery: Books |
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