Bernard Montgomery


Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount of Alamein (November
17, 1887 - March 24, 1976) was a British military officer during World War II.

He was born in London, England in 1887.

In August 1942, Winston Churchill appointed Montgomery commander of the
British Eighth Army in the North African campaign. He successfully pushed
back Erwin Rommel, forcing him to retreat from Egypt after the Second Battle
of El Alamein.

Under the command of Eisenhower, he successfully led the Allied invasion of
Sicily in 1943. A feature of the Sicily campaign was Montgomery's clash of
personality with the American officer leading 7th Army, General George
Patton. Both had enormous egos, and desired to be the centre of attention so
far as coverage of the campaign was concerned.

After Sicily, Montgomery continued to command 8th Army during the landings
on the mainland of Italy itself. Shortly thereafter, he was recalled to the
UK to take part in planning Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy.

Prior to the Normanday invasion, Montgomery assumed command of 21st Army
Group, and commanded that formation for the rest of the war in Europe. After
D Day, and until Eisenhower came to France, and assumed control, Montgomery
commanded all Allied the ground forces. His performance during the Normandy
landings was criticised by some, who considered his plans unimaginative and
too rigid.

He was most successful with well planned attacks with overwhelming forces,
such as at Alamein. He had less fortune with dramatic strokes like Operation
Market Garden which led to the defeat of the 1st Airborne outside Arnhem.
When first shown the plans, one general said, "It looks like you're going a
bridge too far."

On January 7, 1945 Montgomery held a press conference in which he claimed
credit for the victory in the Battle of the Bulge. This caused some degree
of controversy with the Americans who felt that Montgomery held back his
forces too long.

He was created 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein in 1946.

His reputation was tarnished by evidence of racism with the 1999 revelation
of previously secret papers from 1947-1948 when he held the position Chief
of the Imperial Defence Staff. During that period he was strictly enjoined
to silence about his views, which were contrary to British policy, and
agents were assigned to vet his public appearances for compliance.

He passed away in 1976 and was interred in the Holy Cross Churchyard,
Binstead, Hampshire.