Bernard Montgomery, Great Britain’s most influential field commander in World War II, played an important role in the Allied victory in North Africa and Europe. He produced the first victories over the Germans and played an important role in the Allied operations that ultimately crushed the Nazis and ended World War II in Europe. Arrogant, rude, vain, and usually unimaginative, Montgomery nevertheless possessed an ability to motivate his soldiers to consistendy achieve victory. Two years after his birth, in London, on November 17, 1887, Montgomery moved to Tasmania with his father, who had been consecrated bishop of the island. Montgomery later described his childhood as an unhappy one and apparendy saw the military as an escape. After four years at St. Paul’s, he entered Sandhurst in 1907. In the summer of 1908, Montgomery earned his commission despite* almost being expelled for bullying other cadets.<\/p>