Ewen Montagu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ewen Montagu
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ewen Edward Samuel Montagu
29 March 1901 |
| Died | 19 July 1985 (aged 84) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Naval intelligence officer |
| Known for | Operation Mincemeat |
Ewen Edward Samuel Montagu (29 March 1901 – 19 July 1985) was a British judge, a Naval intelligence officer, and an author. He is most famous for his important role in Operation Mincemeat. This was a clever trick that helped the Allies win a major battle during World War II.
Operation Mincemeat made German forces think the Allies would attack Greece. But the real plan was to invade Sicily in Italy. This trick helped make the Allied invasion of Sicily a big success.
Montagu was also a leader in the Jewish community. He was president of the United Synagogue from 1954 to 1962. He also led the Anglo-Jewish Association starting in 1949.
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Ewen Montagu's Early Life and Career
Ewen Montagu was born in 1901. His family was Jewish. He went to Westminster School. During the First World War, he taught how to use machine guns at a United States Naval Air Station.
After the war, he studied at Trinity College, Cambridge. He also studied at Harvard University in the United States. He became a lawyer in 1924.
Montagu loved sailing boats. In 1938, he joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. Because he was a lawyer, he was given special training. He then worked for the Royal Navy's intelligence team in Hull.
Montagu worked in the Naval Intelligence Division of the British Admiralty. He became a Lieutenant Commander. He was also part of the XX Committee. This group managed secret double agents. These agents pretended to work for the Germans but actually worked for Britain.
The Famous Operation Mincemeat
Ewen Montagu and another officer, Charles Cholmondeley, came up with Operation Mincemeat. This was a very important deception plan.
Montagu's idea was to make it look like a dead British officer had washed ashore in Spain. This officer would carry fake secret papers. These papers would say the Allies planned to invade Greece. The real target was Sicily. They chose a spot in Spain where pro-German officials would find the body. These officials would then show the papers to German spies.
Montagu created a fake identity for the body. The dead man was named "William Martin." He put fake items in Martin's pockets. These included a military ID, theatre tickets, love letters, and a photo of his fiancée. There were also bills from a tailor and a jeweller. To make it seem even more real, "Acting Major William Martin" was listed as dead in The Times newspaper on June 4, 1943.
The Germans believed the trick completely. Secret German documents found after the war showed this. The false information even reached Adolf Hitler's headquarters. Because of this, German forces were moved to Greece. This made the invasion of Sicily a great success.
A historian named Hugh Trevor-Roper called Operation Mincemeat the best trick in military history. For his part in this operation, Montagu received an award called the Order of the British Empire. In 2021, a special memorial was placed at the Hackney Mortuary in London. This is where the body for Operation Mincemeat was prepared.
Ewen Montagu's Later Life
From 1945 to 1973, Montagu served as the Judge Advocate of the Fleet. This meant he was a top legal advisor for the Royal Navy.
He wrote a book called The Man Who Never Was in 1953. This book told the story of Operation Mincemeat. It was later made into a movie in 1956.
Montagu was also appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Southampton. This is an honorary role in the county.
He continued his leadership roles in the Jewish community. He was president of the United Synagogue from 1954 to 1962. He also led the Anglo-Jewish Association from 1949.
Ewen Montagu's Family Life
Ewen Montagu's youngest brother was Ivor Montagu. Ewen Montagu married Iris Solomon in 1923. Iris was the daughter of a famous painter named Solomon J. Solomon.
Ewen and Iris had two children. Their son, Jeremy, became an expert on musical instruments. Their daughter, Jennifer, became an art historian.
Ewen Montagu was also related to the comedian Christopher Guest.
