Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein (November 17, 1887 – March 24, 1976) was a British military officer during World War II, born in London.
North Africa
In August 1942, Churchill appointed Montgomery commander of the British 8th Army. He successfully pushed back Erwin Rommel, forcing him to retreat from Egypt after the Second Battle of El Alamein.
Sicily and Italy
Under Eisenhower's command, he led the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943, where his personality clashed with American General George Patton. After Sicily, Montgomery continued to command 8th Army during the Italian mainland landings.
Normandy and Northwest Europe
Montgomery assumed command of 21st Army Group for Operation Overlord. 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 Division at Arnhem.
Battle of the Bulge
On January 7, 1945, Montgomery held a press conference claiming credit for the victory in the Battle of the Bulge, causing controversy with Americans who felt he had held back his forces too long.
He was created 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein in 1946 and passed away in 1976.
Quotations
"The US has broken the second rule of war. That is, don't go fighting with your land army on the mainland of Asia. Rule One is don't march on Moscow. I developed these two rules myself." — spoken of American policy in Vietnam.