The Truth.... As We Know It

The_Chieftain:   I don't know if Montgomery had any particular reputation per se, but the reason that the Germans focused on him seems to be the same reason they didn't care much about Patton: Monty's forces were in the most threatening geographic position. In North Africa, he pushing against Libya where the Axis were focused. In Sicily, his forces were the ones heading directly to the Axis route of escape. In Europe, he was the one closest to the German industrial heartland, taking the most direct route.   Montgomery's forces could have been commanded by any competent general, in that position, the Germans would have to honor the threat regardless.