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September 17, 1944................. (Read 467 times)

Sep 17^th, 2004 at 7:27am

Stormtropper Ex Member
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Sixty years ago today, Operation Market-Garden started. Paratroppers from the United Stats 82th Airborn, 101st Airborn, and correct me if I'm wrong, British 2nd Airborn, and the 3rd armored division, went into Holland, in hopes of capturing the Rhine and ending the war by Christmas 1944.

But sadly the operation failed......................

That leads to one question: Was Market-Garden worth its risks?

I think this is Eisenhower the biggest, and perhaps the only, blunder from the war. I personaly think the stakes were just too high, and the risks were also too high. In addition, Patton's forces were moving accross Europe at a rate that would've ended the war by early 1945 anyway.

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Reply #1 - Sep 17^th, 2004 at 7:51am

Hagar Offline
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Jeff. I think you will find that Market Garden was suggested by General Montgomery. As General Eisenhower was Supreme Allied Commander it would have to be under his approval. I think it was a risk worth taking. If it had succeeded it would have considerably shortened WWII. The operation was dogged by bad luck, bad weather & hasty planning but almost came off.

Market Garden was a combined operation in 2 parts "Market" & "Garden". All available Allied forces were involved.
Quote:

The essential task of the airborne forces involved was to seize intact the bridges over the canals and rivers en route, notably those at Son, Vegel, Grave (over the River Maas) and Nijmegen (over the River Waal) and finally the Rhine road bridge at Arnhem. This part of the plan was codenamed Operation "Market".

The "Garden" part of the plan was the land offensive by the armour of Lieut-General Horrocks' XXX Corps and other elements of the 2nd Army.

Operation Market was to be carried out by the 1st Allied Airborne Army under the command of General Browning. This included

the US XVIII Airborne Corps
82nd Airborne Division
101st Airborne Division
the British 1st Airborne Corps
1st Airborne Division
1st Parachute Brigade
4th Parachute Brigade
1st Airlanding Brigade
1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade
The Americans were to open the corridor from Eindhoven to Nijmegen, whilst the British 1st Airborne Division under Major-General R.E. Urquhart were to seize the bridge at Arnhem.

The 2nd Army was expected to reach Arnhem in 48 hrs.

http://www.nntk.net/arnhem_1944/market_garden.html

If you're interested in this subject I can recommend the book "A Bridge Too Far" by Cornelius Ryan & the film based on it. My late father-in-law who was involved in the operation thought the film was very well done. He particularly liked Edward Fox's portrayal of Lt. Gen. Brian Horrocks who was his commander.

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Reply #2 - Sep 17^th, 2004 at 9:55am

Heretic Ex Member

Those guys completely ignored that there was division of the Waffen-SS stationed in the target area. And you just can't mess with SS units without tons of additional material.

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Reply #3 - Sep 17^th, 2004 at 10:09am

Hagar Offline
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I don't think that unit was supposed to be there. Don't forget that accurate intelligence would be difficult to get hold of. One of the twists of fate that thwarts the best laid plans of mere mortals. Call it luck if you like. This operation was hastily planned & most things that could go wrong did go wrong. For example: they sent the wrong frequency crystals with the radios which prevented communication between the units. Also, one unit was dropped several miles away from the intended drop zone. There were many more blunders. This is what happens in wartime. I've always said that the side that makes the least mistakes wins the battle.

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Reply #4 - Sep 17^th, 2004 at 12:02pm

SilverFox441 Offline
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Market Garden was a gamble of the type that should be taken in war. Had it been successful it would have opened a hole across the Rhine and left the Allies poised to strike into the heart of Nazi Germany...and it was very nearly successful.

I've stood at the end of Arnhem bridge...kind of awe inspiring.

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Reply #5 - Sep 17^th, 2004 at 1:38pm

ozzy72 Offline
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Björn is quite correct in his pointing out that the British did ignore information provided by the Dutch Resistance, this was even pointed out in the film.
I've read the book, seen the film, and talked to my great-uncle who was there and was one of those who fought his way out.
I still have his F & S fighting knife, and it is still razor sharp. He said it was good for opening tins of bully beef and killing Germans (he had run out of ammo and had to kill several Germans to escape, something he always regreted afterwards, and he maintained that he respected the German soldiers as mens men!)
Alas things did go wrong, but I think both sides proved their valour, and many exceptional deeds were done by very ordinary men.

Mark

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Reply #6 - Sep 18^th, 2004 at 11:50pm

Professor Brensec Offline
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Thanks Ozzy.

There was some mention of this a short time ago in another thread, by me (when Monty's popularity was being examined).

The Dutch Resistance gave very clear and accurate information regarding the presence of the Panzer contingent in Arnhem, but because it wasn't 'supposed' to be there, British Intelligence didn't take them seriously. In other words, they IGNORED IT.

But as Hagar points out, there is always going to be a fly in the ointment (especially if you throw on in there Cheesy

)

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