Published: 06/08/2021
A newly-released letter written by Bernard Montgomery ‘Monty’, sent from the North African desert during the Second World War, tells how he ‘thoroughly enjoyed’ his first face-off with Rommel, the Nazis’ Desert Fox.
The hand-written two-page letter penned to his brother Harold on October 6 1942, has been donated by a relative of ‘Monty’ to the Tank Museum. Detailed within it he mentions his theory that ‘we all wash too much’ and, perhaps oddly, admits that he hadn’t had a bath in a month.
On that same date Montgomery also sent orders to his officers and men stating that if cut off in the next battle they must fight on and not surrender, this would be the Battle of El Alamein. The intense planning before the battle against Rommel probably explains why the letter to his brother is brief. In it, he thanks Harold and his wife Betty for their invitation to stay but adds ‘at present it is quite out of the question’.
He confirms that he was sent to North Africa so quickly to take over the Eight Army that he didn’t have time to see his son David at Winchester ‘where he is doing very well’.
Monty tells Harold that he has already had a ‘contest against Rommell [sic]’, adding: ‘he was seen off … I have never before had to face up to a Field Marshal in battle, and I thoroughly enjoyed it’.
This was the engagement on August 31 known as the Battle of Alam Halfa.
He goes on to say how much he enjoys life in the desert, adding: ‘It has the great advantage of being extremely healthy and I have never felt better in my life.
‘I have not had a bath for over a month but it seems to make very little difference; I am convinced now that we all wash too much. As a result, I presume, of no baths I now have no colds. Normally in England I have regular colds’.
David Willey, Curator at The Museum said: “The letter has been donated by Hugh Galton-Fenzi. He is the son of Harold and Betty Galton-Fenzi and it is a generous gift and splendid addition to the museum.
“Already we have some important items belonging to Montgomery, including his famous black beret that appears in so many photographs. Montgomery had originally been tasked with taking over the First Army for Operation Torch, the Morocco Landings.
“But after General William Gott, aka ‘Strafer’, was killed when his plane was shot down, Monty was picked to replace him as the new head of the Eight Army.
“He was informed of his role while shaving on 8th August and was hustled out to Egypt two days later. His orders were simple: destroy Rommel and his army.
“At the end of October the decisive Battle of El Alamein began and Monty’s newly motivated troops gained a famous victory and helped turn the tide of the war.
“To have a letter from this hugely important period is wonderful and gives a glimpse into the mind and thinking of the great field marshal.
“Despite the enormous pressure on his shoulders he is able to discuss family news including mention of his other brother Colin, and he tells how he sent his son to Winchester rather than Harrow ‘because of the bombing’. Although he says he hadn’t had a bath in over a month other sources describe how he regularly bathed in the sea.”
Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery fought in WW1, Irish War of Independence and WW2. He passed away in 1976 aged 88.
Discover more about Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery and see his letter, which is on display in the new WW2: War Stories exhibition. Book entrance tickets in advance online.
