BRITAIN: Monty: The Legend of El Alamein

Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery was once asked to name the three greatest generals in history. Half smiling, he replied, "The other two were Alexander the Great and Napoleon."

It was a characteristic remark, utterly self-assured and mockingly arrogant. But when Bernard Law Montgomery died at 88 last week at Hampshire, England, there was no shortage of experts who agreed—almost. Historian A.J.P. Taylor felt that Montgomery was "the best British field commander since Wellington." Dwight Eisenhower, World War II boss of the brusque and banty (5 ft. 8 in.) field marshal, said that...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!