 Biography
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.
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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 manoeuvers 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
appearence. He was usually seen wearing his khaki shirt, sleeves rolled
up, corduroy trousers chukka boots and a black beret with two badges. he
was intollerent of militarty bureaucracy and prefered informality. His
voice was high-pitched with an impeccable accent. Incapable of self-critisism
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.
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