Montgomery of Alamein, Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount

• PRINT
• EMAIL

General Bernard L. Montgomery watches a battle in North Africa in 1942. (National Archives)

Bernard Law Montgomery, b. Nov. 17, 1887, d. Mar. 24, 1976, has been described as the finest British field commander since the duke of Wellington. A graduate of Sandhurst Royal Military Academy, he entered the army in 1908 and distinguished himself during World War I. In World War II he led (1939-40) a division in France, was involved in the Dunkirk (Dunkerque) evacuation, and took charge of the controversial Dieppe commando raid of 1942 before being sent to North Africa as Eighth Army commander. There his decisive victory over the Afrika Korps at El Alamein (1942) and his pursuit of the Germans across Libya and Tunisia captured the imagination of the British public, and he became a national hero, popularly known as "Monty."

He subsequently commanded the Eighth Army in the Sicilian and Italian campaigns, the 21st Army Group in the Normandy Invasion, and the sweep through France and western Germany (1944-45). Montgomery's performance in 1943 and 1944 was controversial. His strategy disputes with the Allied supreme commander Dwight D. Eisenhower were aired openly in the newspapers during the war and in their memoirs afterward. After the war, Montgomery, created viscount in 1946, was commander of British occupation forces in Germany (1945-46), chief of the British general staff (1946-48), and deputy supreme commander of NATO (1951-58). Following retirement from the army he was an outspoken member of the House of Lords and contributor to the press. His writings include his Memoirs (1958) and A History of Warfare (1968).

Bibliography: Gelb, Norman, Ike and Monty: Generals at War (1994); Hamilton, Nigel, Monty —Field Marshal (1986); Horne, Alistair, and Montgomery, David, Monty: Man and General (1994); Lewin, Ronald, Montgomery as Military Commander (1971); Thompson, R. W., The Montgomery Legend (1967).

• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store

  Decisions, Decisions: The Cold War The Cold War defined world events for a generation, from the division of Europe, to the war in Vietnam, to the nuclear arms race. Decisions, Decisions: The Cold War puts students at the center of these issues. By understanding the critical themes of the era, students begin to understand the world today. The simulation sparks discussions on terrorism, political ideologies, and more! Topics covered: 20th Century History U.S. Foreign Policy World Events International Politi $149.00 CD-ROM | Grades 5-10

  
  Decisions, Decisions: The Cold War
  Grades 5-10 $149.00
  
• Scholastic Store
• 

  The Scholastic Store

  Number the Stars Ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen often think about life before the war. But it's now 1943 and their life in Copenhagen is filled with school, food shortages, and the Nazi soldiers marching in their town. The Nazi won't stop. The Jews of Denmark are being "relocated," so Ellen moves in with the Johansens and pretends to be part of the family. Then Annemarie is asked to go on a dangerous mission. Somehow she must find the strength and courage to save her best friend's life. There's no turning back now. $6.99 books;paperback books;paperbacks | Ages 9-12

  
  Number the Stars
  Ages 9-12 $6.99
  

World War II
Illustrates the political and economic climate that launched World War II, and traces its impact on the world at large.

V-2
The V-2, or Vengeance Weapon 2, was a liquid-propellant rocket developed in Germany.

Heroes of Tuskegee
The U.S. Congress and President George W. Bush honored the Tuskegee Airmen on Thursday with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award that Congress gives to heroes who are not in the military. The Tuskegee Airmen were African-American men who joined the Air Force during World War II and flew fighter jets in Europe.