Bernard Montgomery (1887-1976) British Army Officer who, during the Second World War, led the army to victory at El Alamein - the first major Allied victory of the war. After beating off a German attack in August, Monty was able to deliver a successful counterattack in November. Just before, the 2nd Viscount Montgomery of Alamein had read from Micah. Monty: The Battles of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, People Who Made a Difference in Health Care, Facts about the extraordinary life of Joan of Arc. When appointed to command the defeated Eighth Army in Egypt in August 1942, he was only Winston Churchills second choice. The Honourable Arabella Clare Montgomery (born 21 November 1956); she married Sir Jeremy Stuart-Smith on 25 September 1982. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Bertha (McLaughlin) Patterson abt 1905 North Carolina, United States managed by S. Fary Thomas Lee McLaughlin Sr. abt 28 Dec 1908 Hoke, North Carolina, United States - 07 Jan 1987 Deborah Emma (McLaughlin) Blue abt 1900 North Carolina, United States James McLaughlin abt 1870 County Tyrone, Ireland managed by Mary Cottrell On December 16, the Germans opened the Battle of the Bulge with a massive offensive. Rumours about the sexuality of the man who won the battle of El Alamein in 1942, turning the tide of the war in north Africa, have previously circulated. He eventually accepted the surrender of all German forces in Denmark, northern Germany and the Netherlands on 4 May 1945. The reunion was a very popular event and well attended. For nearly two months, he continued to train and re-equip his soldiers. The treaty that Hitler hated even more than the Treaty of Versailles and one of the most important treaties you have probably never heard of. My most poignant memory of my first meeting with David, which I noted in my travel journal in 2005, was how he inserted moments of humor in his talk. His uncompromising standards, and abrasiveness, were to affect his promotion. Sir Bernard Montgomery - Biography - D-Day Overlord Both the German warrior and his 15-year-old son who just came from a walk that day knew then and there that something was not right. Lillian Hannah Fell Montgomery (Livingstone) Birthdate: January 23, 1907: Death: March 16, 1940 (33) Immediate Family: Ex-wife of William Vincent Montgomery Mother of Joan (Tiny) Montgomery; Myrtle Montgomery; Alexandra (Sandy) Sandy Montgomery and Brian Montgomery. Playing a key role in the planning process for D-Day, he oversaw the Battle of Normandy after Allied forces began landing on June 6. LEADERSHIP IN A DESERT WAR: BERNARD MONTGOMERY AS AN UNUSUAL LEADER David Weir d.weir@ucs.ac.uk Abstract Bernard Montgomery was the most successful British general of the twentieth century and one of the most important participants of World War 2. That is how Lord Montgomery will always remember him as his dear friend; not a soldier and not even the son of his fathers wartime enemy in the battlefield. Montgomery was the only child of Field Marshal The 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, a senior military commander in the Second World War, and his wife Elizabeth Carver, ne Hobart. 10 Greatest Generals of World War II - The Education Network Great Commanders. All rights reserved. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! He was seriously wounded on the French front during the First World War, but after a long stay in a military hospital, he was sent back to combat in . After El-Alamein, he became a major celebrity in Britain, and crowds would often flock to great him. Hickman, Kennedy. He attended Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, but left before earning a degree. Bernard L. Montgomery - IMDb ThoughtCo. The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. All Rights Reserved. An unconventional claim to fame is the lending of his name to the comedy troop Monty Python, who (sometimes) claim they selected Monty in mocking tribute to the legendary Second World War general. Genealogy for Edward Walter Montgomery (1867 - 1928) family tree on Geni, with over 245 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. In this capacity, he observed the tactics used by generals like Sir Douglas Haig and became critical of their readiness to accept high casualties during campaigns. Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (UK, 1946), Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (UK, 1945), Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (UK, 1914), Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit (US, 10 August 1943). I remain convinced that as a general, both in the desert and in northwest Europe, my father was the right man at the right time in the right place, David Montgomery wrote in The Lonely Leader: Monty 1944-45 (1994). Joined by Lieutenant General Mark Clark's U.S. Fifth Army, which landed at Salerno, Montgomery began a slow, grinding advance up the Italian peninsula. Son of War Hero Montgomery & Friend of Manfred Rommel, Dead at 91 News Jan 28, 2020 Ian Harvey, Guest Author David Montgomery inherited his title from his father, the famous Field Marshal, who tackled Erwin 'Desert Fox' Rommel in the deserts of North Africa in World War Two. Each was a general who bore the title of field marshal: Bernard Montgomery, the British military leader who led Allied forces to victory at the second battle of El Alamein in Egypt in 1942; and his German counterpart, Erwin Rommel, known as the Desert Fox.. You see the desert war was quite different from other battles. Birth Records Search (Birth Certificates & Databases) - County Office We had a great deal in common.. He had a charming, dare I say adorable snort, when he would gently laugh at his own jokes.. Manfred was very thoughtful. The grim struggle that rolled back and forth across the North African desert from 1940 to 1943 resulted in the first major Allied victory of the Second World War. One of my fathers sadnesses was that he never met Rommel. Bernard Montgomery Biography | Biography Online "First time @NAM_London today. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In turn, he was tactlessly critical of the American reverse in the Ardennes of December 1944. Africa With the German invasion of the Low Countries, the 3rd Division performed well and, following the collapse of the Allied position, was evacuated through Dunkirk. The German soldier has astonished the world; the Italian Bersagliere has astonished the German soldier.. Local Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Obituaries - Legacy.com Manfred must have known what was going to happen. Our fathers are ever present in our lives. In 1927, at age thirty-nine, he married a war widow, Betty Carver, who tragically died of a rare blood infection in 1937. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order, he was appointed as a brigade major in the 112th and 104th Brigades. His wound was so severe that a grave was prepared for him. Largely educated by tutors, Montgomery seldom saw his father, who frequently traveled due to his post. After Rommel was wounded in 1944, Manfred saw a lot of him. He married Elizabeth Carver and had a son, named David. Montgomery, the son of an Ulster clergyman, was educated at St. Pauls School, London, and the Royal Military Academy (Sandhurst). Field Marshal Montgomery Dead at 88 - The New York Times He was undoubtedly a great military thinker and leader who could see the essence of situations and simplify the most complex problems in an easy to understand way. In 1943, he took part in the Allied landings in Italy and, after hard battles, the Allies succeeded in pushing the Axis powers back. Kennedy Hickman is a historian, museum director, and curator who specializes in military and naval history. Biography of Bernard Montgomery, Oxford, UK. The next two years he spent retraining the British army, with utmost rigor, in southern England. Brilliant World War II field marshal. We will miss David, and his laugh, but are grateful for the decades of friendship and the memories of our encounters. While the campaign was a success, Montgomery's boastful style ignited a rivalry with his flamboyant American counterpart. Following World War II, Montgomery was made a knight of the Garter and was created 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein in 1946. Serving under General Sir Harold Alexander, Montgomery took command on August 13 and began a rapid reorganization of his forces and worked to reinforce the defenses at El Alamein. The general sometimes sent gifts of oranges and chocolate scarce commodities in wartime England to his son at school. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. He answered with his customary precision the other two would be Alexander the Great and Napoleon. Monty was never one to be criticised for false modesty. Sfax fell on 10 April and Montgomery won the bet. Jewish Americans like Isadore S. Jachman contributed greatly to the American war effort in World War II, riskingand sacrificingeverything in the struggle against fascism. Lord Montgomery of Alamein became Patron of Freedom Flame UK, in May 2014, in recognition of the lighting of a Torch of Unity at the D Day stone, Southsea, by his father, Field Marshal The 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, on 13 September 1948. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Should Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery have tried to clear the Scheldt He was critical of the First World War generals, such as Douglas-Haig, for their seeming indifference to casualty figures. Back in Britain, he received an appointment as battalion adjutant at the Shorncliffe Army Camp in Kent. He went on to lead Allied troops in the invasion of Italy and later France. After attending the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, he was commissioned into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Returning home in 1937, he was given command of the 9th Infantry Brigade with the temporary rank of brigadier. Last updated 30th January2017. Despite his complex character, Montgomery remains one of the best-known generals of the Second World War and one of the British Armys greatest ever commanders. However, their military heritage held a significant positions in both mens lives. In August 1942, Montgomery, now a lieutenant general, was appointed to command the Eighth Army in Egypt following the death of Lieutenant-General William Gott. Montgomery inherited his fathers title on the death of the legendary General Bernard Monty Montgomery in 1976. Montgomery rapidly restored the army's flagging morale and ensured his men were properly supplied. Early life Montgomery was born in Kennington, London, in 1887. After the field marshals sons first meeting in 1979, they gathered over the years at military reunions and other events, becoming close friends. He died Jan.8 at age 91; his family announced his death with a notice in the Telegraph without providing further details. Not believing his men were ready, he delayed two days, which allowed many of the Germans to escape. He was better known for his outstanding professionalism and sense of balance than for his talents in getting on with his contemporariesnotably the American ones. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Beginning August 1, his Twenty-first Army Group consisted of Miles Dempseys British Second Army and Henry Crerars First Canadian Army. Serving in General Alan Brooke's II Corps, Montgomery earned his superior's praise. Landing in July 1943 in conjunction with Lieutenant General George S. Patton's U.S. The fire seemed to become a living entity, changing course at will, consuming everything in its path, and generating a heat that melted glass and cutlery and turned bricks to ash. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Early in the First World War (1914-18), he was shot through the lung by a sniper during the First Battle of Ypres (1914). Great Britain's most famous commander of World War II, Bernard Montgomery would end . Public Domain. D-Day, 6 June 1944, marked the start of the Allied invasion of Normandy, the greatest amphibious operation in history. Simply enter your email address below to start receiving our monthly email newsletter. During the long drive East towards Germany, Monty often clashed with the American, General Eisenhower. He was born April 26, 1933, in Carmichaels, to the late John H. and . We use cookies on our website to collect relevant data to enhance your visit. Rommel and Montgomery: The Fathers Fight, the Sons Make Peace It was a decisive victory for the allies and was celebrated back home. Grief-stricken, Montgomery coped by withdrawing into his work. Now, he, too will be among those who will be remembered fondly. Born in Kennington, London in 1887, Bernard Montgomery was the son of Reverend Henry Montgomery and his wife Maud, and the grandson of noted colonial administrator Sir Robert Montgomery. He was effective in this role and was ordered to counterattack in conjunction with Patton's Third Army on January 1, with the goal of encircling the Germans. This article was published more than3 years ago, Two fathers fought against each other in World War II, commanding opposing armies across the deserts of North Africa. All rights reserved. Adolf Hitler's secret mission to Otto Skorzeny during the Ardennes Counteroffensive would rely on deception, employing English-speaking troops in US Army uniforms and equipment. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. How Historically Accurate Is Patton? - Looper Manfred Rommel also maintained a friendship with the son of American General Patton, George Patton VI, who went on to make a name for himself in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. We were the same age, to within three months. After commanding the 17th(Service) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers in the British Army of the Rhine during the occupation, Montgomery reverted to the rank of captain in November 1919. While Market-Garden bogged down . Get HISTORYs most fascinating stories delivered to your inbox three times a week. It was the first landmark victory in Africa for the Allies and cemented Montgomery as a force to be reckoned with. He was returned to the Lords as a crossbencher in an election of hereditary cross-bench peers in 2005, following the death of Baroness Strange. This famous victory elevated the status of Monty. He joined the US Marine Corps in 1918, but World War I ended before he shipped overseas. Bernard Law Montgomery was born in London in 1887. ThoughtCo, Apr. For more than thirty years he attended commemorative events with Manfred Rommel, who was also the only son of a World War Two Field Marshall. British Field Marshall Bernard Law Montgomery (1887-1976) was among the most decorated military leaders of World War II. Both were born in 1928, served briefly in the military and had successful careers. . But because the latter was a national hero, he had to kill him quietly forcing him to commit suicide by swallowing a cyanide pill and in return, the soldiers family would be left unharmed. Those who did act on their instincts could, like Oscar Wilde, be imprisoned and ruined," he said yesterday from Boston, where he works at the University of Massachusetts. In addition, he sought to unite land, naval, and air units into an effective combined arms team. Mon 26 Feb 2001 05.40 EST "This sort of thing may be tolerated by the French, but we're British - thank God." So decreed Field Marshal Montgomery as he urged the House of Lords not to legalise. In 1942, Prime Minister Winston Churchill appointed Montgomery commander of the Eighth Army in the Western Desert. However, he went on to make a full recovery. After the war, Montgomery served as chief of the Imperial General Staff, and later as deputy to Eisenhower at NATO. Montgomery speaking to his troops. Montgomery then pursued the German armies across North Africa to their final surrender in Tunisia in May 1943. When Britain declared war on Germany in 1939, Montgomery was sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force. But Rommel talked with the two Nazi officers alone and 45 minutes later, his father came to him and said goodbye. We strive for accuracy and fairness. His wound was so severe that a grave was prepared for him. They have five children: Samuel Nicholas Stuart-Smith (6 December 1990), Luke David Stuart-Smith (19 January 1993), This page was last edited on 3 July 2023, at 00:23. For many years, Rommel suffered from Parkinsons disease and a few days ago had succumbed to it he passed away last November 7. The horrendous British casualties in 1914-1918 help explain Montgomerys caution as a commander twenty-five years later. This proved vital during the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940. To some extent, Monty did have his opportunity with operation Market Garden a daring paratroop drop deep into enemy territory. Includes the great poets William Shakespeare, William Blake and William Wordsworth. This faith in Monty was well justified as he took meticulous care to look after the troops in his command. He was hit through the right lung by a sniper before another round struck him in the knee. Monty was keen for a decisive single blow on one part of the front. Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery, in full Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, of Hindhead byname Monty, (born Nov. 17, 1887, London, Eng.died March 24, 1976, near Alton, Hampshire), British field marshal and one of the outstanding Allied commanders in World War II. Patton (film) - Wikipedia Bernard Montgomery | eHISTORY He has appeared on The History Channel as a featured expert. Normandy landings - Wikipedia The marriage was happy for Monty giving a rare period of emotional closeness. ALAMY/CYPFRW It does not require hindsight to criticize Montgomery's strategy in September 1944. Both Rommel and Montgomery turned towards building harmony and remembrance after the war. He was a great friend. During the final days of the campaign, Montgomery led II Corps as Brooke had been recalled to London. Famous military figures Famous military leaders and soldiers, includingAlexander the Great, Napoleon, Ataturk, Erwin Rommel, Winston Churchill and Dwight Eisenhower. About the best the Allies could claim were successful tactical retreats like Dunkirk, or holding the enemy as in the Battle of Britain; but on the land, the army had few real victories. Seen as one of the most able commanders of the enemy forces during WWII, he was greatly known as the Desert Fox. Born in 1887, Montgomery was married for 10 years from 1927, but the academic described this an "an aberration" in what had otherwise been a life devoted entirely to being with men. The Full Monty, by his official biographer, Nigel Hamilton, claims that Montgomery felt passionately about fellow soldiers and boys, some not yet in their teens. Manfred watched his father walking away from him. He commanded the British Army of the Rhine and served as chief of the Imperial General Staff from 1946 to 1948. However, Monty redeemed his reputation in the way he saw off the German winter counter-offensive of 1944-45. Montgomery effectively organised the defence of El Alamein against the German forces led by General Erwin Rommel. David Bernard Montgomery, 2nd Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, CMG, CBE (18 August 1928 8 January 2020) was a British politician and businessman. Lieutenant General Sir Miles C. Dempsey (right) with the 21st Army Group commander, General Sir Bernard Montgomery (center), and U.S. First Army commander, Lieutenant General Omar Bradley (left), 10 June 1944. He is intelligent, a good talker, and has a flare for showmanship. He lived with his parents and five siblings in Virginias Appalachian Mountains, where many families suffered from poverty. Montgomery was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1975 and a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 2000. Seen as one of the most able commanders of the enemy forces during WWII, he was greatly known as the Desert Fox. After overseeing the meticulously-planned Rhine crossings of March 1945, Montgomerys troops advanced into Germany. Genealogy profile for Thomas S Montgomery Thomas S Montgomery (c.1780 - 1850) - Genealogy Genealogy for Thomas S Montgomery (c.1780 - 1850) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. But this directness made him a great military leader. Montgomery's report, based on a two-month . Fourth of nine children in a clerical Irish family of modest means, his early life suffered from a domineering mother. Along with being Montys son, a member of the House of Lords (1976-1999), an international businessman,and author/historian, David was a close friend of The National WWII Museum. Seventh Army, Montgomery's Eighth Army came ashore near Syracuse. While living in the remote colony, he endured a harsh childhood that included beatings by his mother. Eisenhower was generous towards Monty, certainly more so than General Patton. Predicting the operation would be a disaster, he trained for tactical retreat. They also shared parallel personal histories that perhaps only they could fully understand. I have great confidence in him as a combat commander. Managed by: Patricia Joan Louise Montgomery . Montgomery first saw action in the First World War as a junior officer of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. In 1927, Montgomery married Elizabeth Carver and the couple had a son, David, the following year. He was considered one of Germanys leading liberals but did not seek higher political office. My relationship with him wasn't sexual, in the sense that it wasn't acted upon, but I had been through enough years at British boarding schools to know what kind of enormous affection and feeling he had for me. Genealogy profile for William Montgomery, Jr. Genealogy for William Montgomery, Jr. (1790 - d.) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. Monty never recovered, throwing himself even more fiercely into preparing for the new war with Germany. On September 3, the Eighth Army opened the campaign in Italy by landing in Calabria. Updates? David Montgomery, 2nd Viscount Montgomery of Alamein Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery (1887-1976) - BBC This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In compensation, Prime Minister Winston Churchill had Montgomery promoted to field marshal. Married and a mother of three, the novelist had an affair with the actress Gertrude Lawrence, an authorised biography said in 1993.