Bernard Law Montgomery Biography and Timeline — Page 2

Third Division Deploys to France

Takes 3rd Division to France with the British Expeditionary Force after the outbreak of war.

Role range: 1939-1945

Third Division Retreat Training Emphasised

Trains 3rd Division to conduct controlled withdrawals as well as offensive and defensive operations.

Role range: 1939-1945

Major General

Appointed Major General

Major

Appointed Major General, takes Division to France under Brooke as his corps Commander

Role range: 1939-1945

BEF Advance into Belgium

Leads 3rd Division into Belgium as the BEF moves forward after the German western offensive begins.

Role range: 1939-1945

Result of Surrender of Belgian Army

Belgium's capitulation exposes Montgomery's division and other Allied troops to further German pressure and retreat.

Role range: 1939-1945

Surrender of Belgian Army

After Belgium surrenders the 3rd Division is forced to retreat from Belgium

Role range: 1939-1945

Commander of Second Corps

Appointed Commander of Second Corps & ordered to withdraw

Commander of Second Corps

Appointed Commander of Second Corps & ordered to withdraw

Role range: 1939-1945

Temporary Second Corps Command at Dunkirk

Takes temporary command of II Corps during the final stages of the withdrawal to Dunkirk.

Role range: 1939-1945

Dunkirk Perimeter Defence

Uses 3rd Division in the defensive battle protecting routes toward the Dunkirk evacuation area.

Role range: 1939-1945

Third Division Withdrawal from Dyle Line

Conducts an organised withdrawal as Allied armies fall back from the Dyle position under German pressure.

Role range: 1939-1945

Evacuation

Completes the withdrawal of Second Corps from La Panne & Dunkirk

Role range: 1939-1945

Second Corps Evacuation Completed

Completes the withdrawal of II Corps as British forces evacuate from Dunkirk.

Role range: 1939-1945

Mobilization

The 3rd Division is stationed to defend the coast around Brighton

Role range: 1939-1945

Mobilization

Sets up a Divisional HQ near Steyning

Role range: 1939-1945

Third Division Reconstitution after Dunkirk

Rebuilds 3rd Division after its return from France and restores training, equipment and organisation.

Role range: 1939-1945

1st Meeting With Churchill

Meets Winston Churchill for the 1st time

Role range: 1939-1945

Commander of 5th Corps

Appointed Commander of 5th Corps, a promotion

Commander of 5th Corps

Appointed Commander of 5th Corps, a promotion

Role range: 1939-1945

Fifth Corps Command Assumed

Takes command of V Corps and continues intensive preparations against a possible invasion.

Role range: 1939-1945

Mobilization

Begins the re-formation of the 3rd Division after Dunkirk

Role range: 1939-1945

Commander of South Eastern Army

Appointed Commander of South Eastern Army, a promotion

Commander of South Eastern Army

Appointed Commander of South Eastern Army, a promotion

Role range: 1939-1945

South Eastern Army Readiness Programme

Raises training standards across South Eastern Army while maintaining responsibility for coastal defence.

Role range: 1939-1945

Commander of 12th Corps

Appointed Commander of the 12th Corps

Commander of 12th Corps

Appointed Commander of the 12th Corps

Role range: 1939-1945

Mobilization

The Eighth Army reaches Agheila but it cannot be captured from Rommel

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1942-1945

Dieppe Army Planning Responsibility

Takes responsibility for Army planning connected with the proposed Dieppe raid before leaving home command.

Role range: 1939-1945

Siege of Dieppe

Made responsible for the Army planning for the raid on Dieppe

Role range: 1939-1945

1st Meeting With Eisenhower

1st meets Eisenhower, disagrees with him about how to defend the British coast

Role range: 1939-1945

Siege of Dieppe

Troops cannot embark for the raid on Dieppe because of bad weather, it is postponed

Role range: 1939-1945

Commander of Eighth Army

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army

Lieutenant General

Appointed Lieutenant General

Commander of Eighth Army

Appointed Commander of the Eighth Army

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1942-1945

Lieutenant General

Appointed Lieutenant General

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1942-1945

Mobilization

Leaves Britain to take command of the Eighth Army

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1942-1945

Commander of Eighth Army

Arrives at Cairo to take command of the Eighth Army

Commander of Eighth Army

Arrives at Cairo to take command of the Eighth Army

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1942-1945

Suez Canal

Takes command of the Eighth Army and prepares the defence of Egypt against any renewed Axis push toward Suez.

Role range: 1939-1945 – 1942-1945