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http://home.online.nl/cclinks/abtf/septem~2.html

September 10, 1944

Belgium
Eisenhower flies to Montgomery’s headquarters near Brussels. Again, as on August 23, Montgomery denounces Eisenhower’s broad-front strategy and pushes for his own single-thrust strategy. At one point, Eisenhower reminds Montgomery who the commander is; Monty, momentarily subdued, apologizes but then unveils a new twist on his single-thrust strategy.

The field marshal proposes Operation Market-Garden. Montgomery wants to use the First Allied Airborne Army to seize a series of bridges along a roughly 60-mile corridor from Eindhoven to Arnhem in Holland (Operation Market). The bridge at Arnhem, over the Lower Rhine, is the real prize. Once the airborne units begin landing, XXX Corps will drive through the corridor and across the captured bridges (Operation Garden). Possession of the Arnhem bridge will give Montgomery - and the Allies - the crossing needed to flank the West Wall and roll up the German flank all the way to Berlin.

Eisenhower is immediately impressed by the bold and imaginative plan but sees a dilemma. If he agrees to the plan, he must deny further supplies to Patton (and his drive on the Saar River in the south). More importantly, it will shift the focus of operations from making Antwerp the working port the Allies desperately need, regardless of their grand strategy.

But if he disagrees with Montgomery’s plan, Eisenhower is ignoring strong suggestions from Washington to utilize the First Allied Airborne Army; he’s also saying “no” to a chance to end the war by the end of 1944.

Eisenhower decides to take a risk but limit his exposure. He agrees to let Montgomery launch his airborne operation but does not agree to a subsequent drive into the Ruhr River valley. Eisenhower wants the operation to be part of the larger effort, an extension of the broad front. The supreme commander also wants Montgomery’s assurance that the shift of focus away from Antwerp is temporary. Montgomery goes a step better - he assures Eisenhower that the 21st Army Group can carry out both operations - clearing the Scheldt Estuary and flanking the West Wall - simultaneously. Eisenhower accepts Montgomery’s word.

Eisenhower has a final stipulation: The operation must be carried out as soon as possible. When the meeting is over, Montgomery is elated. But even with Eisenhower’s approval, Montgomery is still not satisfied. Now that his operation has been approved, Monty reverts to character; the meticulous planner who doesn’t move until every detail has been attended to. He needs not the majority of the supplies, but all the supplies, to make his pet operation work. Eisenhower reluctantly agrees to temporarily divert the supplies to Operation Market-Garden.

If [Eisenhower] agrees to the plan, he must deny further supplies to Patton (and his drive on the Saar River in the south). More importantly, it will shift the focus of operations from making Antwerp the working port the Allies desperately need, regardless of their grand strategy.

Eisenhower, whose challenge sometimes seems greater among the Allies than against the Nazis, finds himself in a bit of a zugzwang.

Now that his operation has been approved, Monty reverts to character; the meticulous planner who doesn’t move until every detail has been attended to. He needs not the majority of the supplies, but all the supplies, to make his pet operation work. Eisenhower reluctantly agrees to temporarily divert the supplies to Operation Market-Garden.

I wonder how Bradley felt about this. I know how Patton felt. There's a quote somewhere in here that says Monty wanted Patton stopped so Monty could make his drive to Berlin. The guy bugs me.

Monty and Patton both make noise, but in the end, Patton actually gets the job done.