“Montgomery screwed his own offensive by not clearing the estuaries leading to the port of Antwerp. He captured the port intact but German forces on the estuary islands controlled the approaches making the port unusable by allied shipping.”
IMO, it was Ike’s fault that he didn’t DIRECT Monty to clear the Scheldt Estuary, to the exclusion of anything else. The entire European battle plan depended upon opening the ports ASAP. But Monty was jealous of Patton’s headlines, and wanted a big splash.
“But Monty was jealous of Patton’s headlines, and wanted a big splash.”
So very true.
If Monty had cleared the approaches to Antwerp it would have been a HUGE headline for him. But Montgomery wanted to eat up miles like Patton was doing. Problem was Monty didn’t have Pattons drive and imagination.
For some reason Ike and Montgomery both thought that opening more French ports was the answer. Unfortunately Ike was unable to say no to Monty.
It was rumored that Monty was holding Ike’s affair with his British driver over his head. Others thought it was his go along to get along way of doing things.