Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, known for his caution and resilience, was one of Britain’s most prominent generals during World War II. He holds the record as the longest-serving general in British history, and his life reads like a military epic.
Born in 1887 in London’s St. Mark’s parish in Kennington, Montgomery came from a clergyman’s family. As a child, he was mischievous and didn’t begin formal schooling until the age of 14. Though his academic performance was poor, he had a deep passion for sports. In 1907, he was admitted to the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, thanks largely to his exceptional physical abilities, which played a significant role in the entrance exam.
After graduation, he became an officer and later volunteered for further studies. A precise and professional strategist, Montgomery approached every campaign with careful planning. Whether in military tactics, logistics, or personnel management, he ensured that nothing was left to chance.
However, his caution was never a sign of fear. During World War I, he was severely wounded, but recovered through sheer determination. Even in his later years, despite frequent illness, he remained optimistic and energetic.
Montgomery was widely respected for his military insight. When German forces invaded the Netherlands and Belgium, many Allied commanders were still uncertain of the enemy’s movements. Montgomery, however, had already made detailed preparations.
Turning the tide in North Africa
Although his early military career was relatively unremarkable, World War II brought Montgomery the opportunity to rise to greatness. In his fifties at the time, he began delivering one victory after another.
When Mussolini’s Italian forces invaded Africa, they were quickly pushed back by British troops. But Hitler then dispatched his trusted general, Erwin Rommel, to lead Axis forces in North Africa. Known as the “Desert Fox” for his tactical brilliance, Rommel dealt a series of defeats to the British.
Despite several changes in leadership, the British were unable to stop the losses. In 1942, Prime Minister Winston Churchill appointed Montgomery as commander of the Eighth Army. Montgomery spent two months strengthening his troops’ discipline and morale. His leadership won their deep respect, and when he finally led them into battle, the momentum shifted.
The pivotal Second Battle of El Alamein ended in a decisive British victory. Montgomery had defeated Rommel and turned the tide of the war in North Africa. Praised as “The Fox Hunter,” he became a national hero and a household name across the UK.
A leader admired by his men
Montgomery didn’t lead from behind. He often accompanied his troops on the front lines, wearing a distinctive cap that bore both the insignia of a general and the badge of the armored corps — a symbol of solidarity with his men.
He was also known for his strict discipline and personal restraint. He abstained from alcohol, tobacco, and romantic distractions, leading some to describe him as almost monk-like in his self-control.
In 1945, during the final Allied offensive against Nazi Germany, Montgomery led his forces deep into enemy territory, reaching the Baltic Sea and sealing off the Danish peninsula. In May, 1.5 million German troops in the Netherlands, northwest Germany, and Denmark surrendered to him.
Montgomery’s visit to China and a question that stunned Mao
In May 1960, Field Marshal Montgomery visited Beijing at the invitation of the Chinese government. During his visit, he posed a question that would later be referred to as “Montgomery’s Inquiry”: Would China, fifty years from now, become an aggressor?
At a meeting in Zhongnanhai, Mao Zedong proudly recounted the Communist victory in the Liaoshen, Huaihai, and Pingjin campaigns, describing in vivid detail how Communist forces defeated the Nationalist army during China’s civil war.
As Mao spoke with enthusiasm and gestured animatedly, Montgomery remained quiet and expressionless. Then, in a rare moment of blunt confrontation, he interrupted Mao and said coldly:
“In the West, we never boast about civil wars. Slaughtering your own people is not something to be proud of — it does not make one a hero.”
The room fell silent. Mao was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by the general’s direct and unapologetic words.
Translated by Katy Liu
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