THE LIFE OF LORD MONTGOMERY
SIR,—Asmy officers are concerned lest a part of the life-story of Field- Marshal Viscount Montgomery given prominence in certain Sunday newspapers should be accepted as historically accurate. The statement complained of is one that discredits the Field-Marshal and is in the nature of a reflection on the War Office. It is to the effect that the Field-Marshal forced himself on the Army as Commander of the 3rd Division ; that he actually bullied the Selection Board to give him the appointment and by feigning illness he was sent home from Palestine as a sick man in order to realise his ambition. Further, that immediately he returned home his sickness disappeared.
The facts as related to me are that on October 29, 1938, Lord Mont- gomery was appointed to the 8th Division in Palestine. Nominally his command lasted until August, 1939, but he had been selected for the command of the 3rd Division some months earlier. Anxious to make the best of this opportunity, he applied to the War Office to be allowed to come home, nominally for several months' leave due to him which he intended to sacrifice in order to take over his new Command. He explained this desire by saying that he was convinced that Hitlerite Germany would have plunged Europe into war by the winter of 1939, and it was highly desirable that he should have one training season with his new Command before leading it in the field. It was at this time that he fell seriously ill. He was accordingly sent home on account of sickness and recovered earlier than the Medical Board thought possible. On the day that the final Medical Board in London passed him for active service he presented himself to his new Headquarters in the Southern Command and took command of the 3rd Division.—Yours faithfully,
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