1943年圣诞节前夕,蒙哥马利获悉他将被免去在意大利第8军的司令职务,回到英国担任第21集团军总司令。该集团军由英国和加拿大部队组成,集结的目的是为了在西北欧发动进攻。他在日记中写道,“这是一项很出色的任务,它将是我有生以来所处理的最重大的一件事。”蒙哥马利的声望决定了这一任命。所以,当邱吉尔在 On the eve of Christmas 1943, Montgomery was informed that he would be relieved of his command of the Italian 8th Army and returned to England as Commander-in-Chief of the 21st Army. The group army, composed of British and Canadian forces, was assembled to launch an offensive in northwestern Europe. He wrote in his diary: “This is a very good assignment, and it will be the single most important thing I have ever dealt with in my life.” Montgomery’s reputation dictates this appointment. So when Churchill was there