Text/Pan Caixia
In 1960, British Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery came to China and had a good conversation with Chairman Mao. The following year, he visited China again, and when he left, he was still unsatisfied.
After returning to Britain, Montgomery devoted himself to writing, and in the book "Three Continents", he recorded in detail what he saw and felt during his visit to China, and pointed out: "In the long run, the key to world peace is in China, and China will stand tall in the world as a great power." ”
He is an old friend of the Chinese people, but also a famous general in the annals of World War II, in addition to leaving masterpieces such as the Battle of El Alamein and the Normandy landings in his military career, he also left a praiseworthy love story in his memoirs.
Chairman Mao received Marshal Montgomery
In 1926, for his outstanding performance in military training, Montgomery was transferred to the Camberley Staff College as an instructor, and before taking office, he went on vacation to Switzerland.
That day, looking at the snow on the distant mountain, he suddenly became interested, grabbed a handful of snow and squeezed it into a snowball, and smashed it into a wooden stake. With a "snap", the snowball shattered and the snowflakes splashed everywhere.
At this time, a voice called "good" came from behind him. Looking back, it was a dark-skinned woman, although her appearance was not outstanding, but she looked very lively and energetic.
In the face of women, Montgomery has always been serious and restrained, so that at the age of 38, he is still alone. But at this time, he was infected by her enthusiasm and involuntarily sent a smile.
During the conversation, it was learned that her name was Betty Carver, and she was an artist who specialized in oil painting, watercolor and sculpture. Her husband, a soldier who was killed in World War I, came on holiday with her two children.
On those days, Montgomery was so enthusiastic that he volunteered to teach Betty's two sons to ski. In the laughter, he felt the warmth of the family that he had never felt before, which made him very nostalgic.
Montgomery and Betty
Montgomery was born into a family of priests, and his mother had a very bad temper and always rebuked him for his stubbornness: "Bernard, you can't do anything in the future except be cannon fodder!" ”
The curse accompanied the entire childhood, living in the shadow of his mother, Montgomery had a withdrawn personality, often playing pranks and provoking trouble. At the age of 14, in the face of his mother's opposition, he chose the school's army class, leaving his classmates with the impression of "fierce and cold".
Four years later, he was admitted to the Royal Military Academy of Sandhes. Despite his small stature and poor grades, he strengthened his ambition: "One day, this school will become famous because of me!" ”
Childhood Montgomery
After graduation, Montgomery embarked on the battlefield of World War I, and gradually emerged from the role of bravery and tenacity in the confrontation with the German army.
After the end of World War I, he became extremely interested in military theory and devoted his whole body and mind to learning. While the officers lingered on socializing and banqueting, Montgomery had been promoted to full major.
He had a heroic dream. However, in the army, his personality was obedient, he ignored his superiors, and his popularity was very poor. On the other hand, he was like a strict Puritan, neither smoking nor drinking, and his affair was not at all touched.
Montgomery was not at all interested in women, and privately, the officers quipped, "The army is montgomery's wife!" ”
Montgomery laughed completely at this: "The Army, like the Catholic Church, if a person is really devout to him, he must remain celibate, and you cannot be a good soldier and at the same time a good husband." ”
Betty's appearance destroyed his beliefs.
Returning from a vacation in Switzerland, Betty's figure has been carved into Montgomery's mind, and he decides to look for her.
Exactly a year later, Montgomery came to Switzerland again, and something wonderful happened, and he really waited for Betty and her two sons. And to them, it was as if he had never left, had always been there.
Montgomery
The reunion was very pleasant, and this time Montgomery was completely attracted to Betty's strength and optimism. Finally, he plucked up the courage to confess to her. Unexpectedly, Betty turned her face straight and said, "If you are sympathetic to me, then please go away, I don't need sympathy!"
In the face of refusal, Montgomery solemnly performed a military salute, he pulled out the sabre from his waist and pointed it at his head: "If I betray you, let me die at the muzzle of my own gun!" ”
Betty was impressed by his sincerity, and they began to associate. However, her family and friends believe that a man who has only become a major at the age of 40 can only be regarded as a nameless person.
Betty, however, admired Montgomery more and more, with the acumen of an artist, and from him she saw talent and creativity. A spring has passed, and feelings have come naturally.
Due to his lack of confidence in family life since childhood, Montgomery was hesitant to propose marriage. Betty understood him, and she decided to create a chance for him to speak.
Soon, Easter arrived, and Betty proposed, going with Montgomery to her son's school. On the way, she bowed her head and said embarrassedly, "Honey, people are whispering to both of us, I think we should not meet again." ”
In a hurry, Montgomery blurted out, "Don't be silly, Betty, I love you, I want to marry you!" ”
Soon after, the Times published their wedding notice. By then, Montgomery was already a lieutenant colonel.
The honeymoon was blissful, and in Shropshire they played golf together during the day and went sightseeing together; they read novels and listened to music together at night. Betty has a cheerful personality and a smile, and she is like sunshine, illuminating Montgomery's life.
After marriage, Montgomery gave his two stepsons a unique fatherly love, he taught them to cook, clean, and train them to become real men with the style of a soldier.
Only for Betty, he was extremely fond of him. He never let her do housework and gave her time to paint and do what she liked. In the eyes of friends, the couple is as good as glue and paint, inseparable.
In 1928, when his son David was born, Montgomery had more joy in life. When he was stationed in Palestine, he took Betty and his son with him, and they traveled everywhere, and the son thrived, Betty painted happily, and the family was very happy.
Life is warm and colorful, which Montgomery has never experienced in growing up, the shadow of childhood gradually fades, and he who was once domineering and difficult to get along with begins to become generous, generous, humane, and, rarely humorous.
Once, at a party in the battalion, two soldiers imitated Montgomery and another officer, performing a brilliant performance that won the laughter of the whole hall. Montgomery laughed too, and he stood up, pointed to the soldier who imitated him, and said, "With this skill, how can you make him a soldier and promote him to corporal!" ”
The crowd burst into laughter again, and this kindness won him a good feeling in the hearts of his subordinates. In the appraisal report for the promotion to colonel, the boss also praised: "Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Montgomery is full of energy and ambition, and is a very good instructor. ”
Military merit badge, half of Betty's. She gave him what he needed most in life: boundless love, and confidence in his talent.
In June 1937, Montgomery was transferred to the 9th Infantry Brigade Brigade, where he was promoted to the rank of general. Because to direct the exercise, he had to be with the troops.
Near the barracks, Montgomery found a hotel and placed Betty and her son there. It was a great place for a vacation, right outside the beach, and he wanted Betty to have a little more leisurely time.
However, Montgomery could not have imagined that this arrangement would make a big mistake that could not be repaired.
That afternoon, Betty and David were playing on the beach when her foot was suddenly stung by an unknown bug, and that night she began to swell and have to be rushed to the hospital.
With the drill imminent, Montgomery managed the troops during the day and drove more than a hundred miles to the hospital at night to accompany Betty. However, her condition soon deteriorated, and Betty was in a coma. Later, Montgomery had to drop her job and spend all his time with her.
At the hospital bedside, he read the Bible reverently, hoping that God would bless her. Unfortunately, even after amputation, the toxin still attacked the lungs.
On October 19, 1937, Betty died peacefully in Montgomery's arms. On her increasingly cold face, Montgomery stamped her last kiss. On that day, he recited for her the 23rd hymn.
At the funeral, Montgomery didn't invite anyone, he wanted to say goodbye to beloved Betty alone. On his face, there were no tears, no sorrow in sight, and only a long military salute to the tombstone.
Two days later, he wrote in his diary: "I tried my best to control my emotions during the ceremony and at the grave, but I couldn't help it, I was afraid that I had completely collapsed by then." Every time I think of her, I burst into tears. ”
For several days, he shut himself in the house and fell into deep self-blame. Later, recalling those days, he said: "My soul complained and cried out in extreme pain. I was completely devastated, and I seemed to have fallen into darkness, disheartened. ”
What awakens him is responsibility, to the child, to work.
"I began to understand that God is acting in His own way, and that must be His will. As commander of the Portsmouth garrison, I was responsible to the people, to my brigade, and I felt that I had to continue to work, and this was also for David's sake, at the moment we are alone in the world, he is only me. ”
Montgomery and son
Time is the medicine, and after coming out of grief, Montgomery carefully raised his three children and devoted himself to the work of the army.
There is speculation that he will soon continue the string. In response, Montgomery responded: "I don't believe a person can have two loves, and it is impossible to have a second love like my past." ”
He said goodbye to the love scene forever, and only the military was his interest. After the outbreak of World War II, montgomery participated in many battles, first in the Battle of El Alamein, defeating the famous German general Rommel in one fell swoop, and later, commanding the Allies to attack Normandy and achieving victory in the Normandy landings.
Because of his extraordinary achievements, Montgomery was promoted to field marshal and became a well-known military figure. After the war, he became famous and received many letters every day, mostly by women. But Montgomery was unmoved and refused.
Churchill advised him: "General Montgomery, the whole of England does not want you to be alone for the rest of your life. ”
Montgomery replied solemnly: "As a soldier, I will always be loyal to my country; as a man, I will never betray love!" ”
With female trainees
In 1958, Montgomery retired from the army and began writing his memoirs. In his autobiography, he mentions the short and only love in his life:
"Tears are not the only way to express love, and loyalty is the best proof of love." Falling in love with a woman cannot fall in love with another woman, just like a gun in my hand, there can only be a crosshair. ”
On March 25, 1976, a generation of famous generals died in London, England, at the age of 89.