Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery was one of the most prominent and successful British commanders of the Second World War (1939-45). Known as ‘Monty’, he notably commanded the Allies against General Erwin Rommel in North Africa, and in the invasions of Italy and Normandy.
What army did Montgomery command?
During the Western Desert campaign of the Second World War, Montgomery commanded the British Eighth Army from August 1942, through the Second Battle of El Alamein and on to the final Allied victory in Tunisia in May 1943.
What happened to Bernard Montgomery after ww2?
Following World War II, Montgomery was made a knight of the Garter and was created 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein in 1946. He commanded the British Army of the Rhine and served as chief of the Imperial General Staff from 1946 to 1948.
Why Montgomery was a bad general?
His personal characteristics annoyed many, but he most often met with success. A poorly prepared Operation Market Garden was an aberration and likely stemmed from his required subordination to American command and the wish to remain the center of the war effort. Montgomery’s ego and lack of tact were his main faults.Did Rommel and Montgomery meet?
Montgomery and Rommel, WWII adversaries, may not have met face-to-face but their sons did. And more than that, the two became fast friends. “We first met in 1979 when he came on an official visit to Britain.
What did Churchill think of Montgomery?
According to Hamilton, Churchill initially despised Montgomery in private but respected his abilities.
What did Rommel think of Montgomery?
“After Alamein we conquered.” If I were Montgomery, we wouldn’t still be here,” Field Marshal Erwin Rommel said as the Afrika Korps continued pressing against El Alamein in the late summer of 1942. He believed Montgomery would have withdrawn.
Who was the best general in WW2?
George S. Patton Jr.: “Old Blood and Guts” was America’s best field commander of World War II. He led the 3d Army in an astonishing “race across France” (1944) and then overwhelmed Germany in a “blitzkrieg in reverse.”Was Montgomery too cautious?
Although some other Allied commanders thought Montgomery was too cautious, he would always try to assemble enough of the right weapons and equipment before going into battle, as well as making sure his troops were properly trained.
When was Montgomery born?Bernard Law Montgomery was born on 17 November 1887 in London. He was educated at St Paul’s School and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and commissioned into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1908. He was severely wounded early in World War One and spent the rest of war as a staff officer.
Article first time published onWho played Bernard Montgomery?
Their most convincing bluff was a dead ringer for Montgomery. M.E Clifton James had been a working actor for 25 years, having grown up in Western Australia before moving to London. The 46-year-old had joined the British Army in the hopes of serving as an entertainer, but instead was assigned to the Pay Corps.
Why did Montgomery wear a beret?
He was an infantry man (Commissioned in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment) but assumed the black beret of the cavalry and sported the cap badge of the royal tank regiment on it. He got away with it because he was from a highly connected family.
Who did Montgomery replace in North Africa?
General Auchinleck was appointed British Commander in Chief in the Middle East in 1941 but was relieved of his command a year later by Prime Minister Churchill. He was replaced by Gen. Bernard Montgomery, whose Desert Rats ended the German campaign in North Africa by defeating Field Marshal Erwin Rommel at El Alamein.
When did Field Marshal Montgomery accept the surrender of Germany?
On 4 May 1945 at Lüneburg Heath, near Hamburg, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery accepted the unconditional surrender of the German forces in the Netherlands, in north west Germany including all islands, and in Denmark and all naval ships in those areas.
What was Rommel's illness?
Three years later in Romania, he lost quite a bit of blood from a bullet to the arm, and he also continuously suffered from stomach ailments, fevers and exhaustion. More physical hardships came during World War II, from appendicitis to a face wound caused by a shell splinter.
Who was Rommel's wife?
Walburga Stemmer (March 1892–October 1928) was a woman who had an affair with Erwin Rommel and gave birth to his daughter, Gertrud Stemmer (later Mrs. Gertrud Pan), on December 8, 1913. Rommel’s family put pressure on him to leave her and return to his fiancée Lucie Mollin, whom he soon married.
What happened Rommel's son?
Manfred Rommel was his only child. He was 15 when he said goodbye to his father, then watched as two German generals ushered him into a car. The generals had given the field marshal a choice: commit suicide or face a rigged trial on charges of conspiring to kill Hitler. … He died on Thursday in Stuttgart at 84.
Did Montgomery have Aspergers?
Antony Beevor, the military historian, believes that Montgomery suffered from Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism which makes it difficult to enjoy normal social relationships and interactions.
What did Bernard Montgomery do in Africa?
In 1942 Montgomery took charge of the British 8th Army in North Africa. After intensive preparations he defeated the Germans and Italians at El Alamein in October 1942. This proved to be a turning point and by May 1943 the Germans and Italians had been driven out of North Africa.
Is I Was Monty's Double A true story?
A true story of soldier and former jobbing actor Meyrick Edward Clifton “Jimmy” James who ended up impersonating Field Marshal Montgomery in a real-life mission during WW2 due to his uncanny resemblance to the British army leader.
Did Montgomery ever lose a battle?
The war was not all victories for Montgomery, however. He suffered his worst defeat in battle during his September 1944 attempt to cross the Rhine River at the Dutch city of Arnhem. Six thousand airborne Allied troops were lost in the failed effort.
Who is the only 6 star general?
George Washington, History’s Only Six-Star General ( … Sort Of) The rank of five-star general is an honor bestowed upon very few. In fact, you can name them on one hand: George C.
Who was the worst general in ww2?
Lloyd FredendallAllegianceUnited StatesService/branchUnited States ArmyYears of service1907–1946RankLieutenant General
Was Bernard Montgomery a good general?
Despite his complex character, Montgomery remains one of the best-known generals of the Second World War and one of the British Army’s greatest ever commanders.
What was Montgomery's early life like?
Montgomery was born in Kennington, London in 1887. His father was a deeply religious man and his mother very strict. His upbringing could be described as disciplined – in the classic Victorian style of his social class. Undoubtedly, this upbringing contributed to his aloofness in later life.
Why did Monty have 2 badges?
The black beret was presented to him by the sergeant commanding a tank that Monty traveled around in on occasion. He left on the Royal Tank Regiment badge, although he had never served in it, and added a General Officer’s Badge.
Is Montgomery a city?
Montgomery is the capital city of the U.S. state of Alabama and the county seat of Montgomery County.
What does the D mean in D-Day?
In other words, the D in D-Day merely stands for Day. This coded designation was used for the day of any important invasion or military operation. … The National WWII Museum’s exhibitions explore the history of the D-Day invasion of Normandy and the D-Day invasions in the Pacific.
Did Monty have a double in ww2?
This is a photography of Monty’s double, Lieutenant Clifton James, taken in Gibraltar in 1944. Lieutenant Clifton James really did double up as Montgomery on a number of occasions. It was very useful for Montgomery to be able to appear to an audience but also be working at the same time!
How old was Field Marshal Montgomery when he died?
LONDON, Wednesday, March 24 — Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery, the most famous British soldier of modern times, died early today, the Ministry of Defense announced. He was 88 years old. Lord Montgomery died in his sleep at his country home in the south of England where he had been bedridden for several years.
Was General Montgomery Scottish?
World War II Bernard Montgomery, nicknamed “Monty”, was born into an Ulster Scots ‘Ascendancy’ family from Inishowen, from a line of Scottish Montgomerys who settled in Ulster in the north of Ireland in 1628.
