76 years ago, the Allies launched the largest airborne attack ever — here's how it all went wrong.

Business Insider ^ | September 15, 2020 | Ben Brimelow

[L.A.Justice]

In mid-September 1944, things looked great for the Allies. With their foothold in Normandy secured after D-Day and the successful invasion of Southern France in Operation Dragoon, Allied soldiers began an almost unstoppable advance into Nazi-occupied Europe.

German forces were retreating to the safety of the Siegfried Line, a series of hardened defenses and fortifications stretching more than 390 miles along Germany's border with France and the Netherlands.

The successes had Allied planners believing there was a serious chance to end the war by Christmas, and British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery devised a plan he thought would ensure it.

[dfwgator]

Holland was one of the last areas occupied by the Nazis when the war ended.

[dfwgator]

Soldier of Orange is another good one directed by Verhoeven.

[7thson]

Oh Nick, you’re such a tool!

[oldvirginian]

“I think Montgomery was the best British general in European theater...I don’t think Harold Alexander and Claude Auchinleck were as good as Monty...”

That was the problem. Monty being the best set the bar pretty low IMVHO.
He never attacked unless he had overwhelming superiority. He would also retreat only to have to retake the same ground again later.
Unfortunately his “success” against an under supplied Afrika Corps led Monty to believe he was the second coming of William the Conqueror.

[AppyPappy]

They failed to take into account that airborne operations rarely worked at that time.

[cyclotic]

I saw the movie for the first time two weeks ago

[ABN 505]

My dad was there, next to the Battle of the Bulge it was his worst experience. He was not a fan of Monty and disparaged him always.

[BDParrish]

Etwas zum Schmunzeln.

[yawningotter]

Monty blew Market Garden before he even got permission from Ike to launch it. There was no German front line in Holland, and Monty had enough gas to go another one hundred miles, but he stopped cold instead of fighting a battle of exploitation that potentially could have captured the Market Garden objectives two weeks before the operation was actually launched. He also could have cleared the approaches to Antwerp, which not only would have relieved the Allied supply problems, but would have kept the German Fifteenth Army trapped on the channel coast. Even if Monty had waited a day or two to allow his soldiers to rest and perform maintenance of their vehicles, he still could have continued to attack, and not allow the Germans to reestablish a front line.

[zek157]

Had a neighbor that was in the 101st Airborne that was shot a few times as he parachuted into Holland and survived.

He was mentioned by name in one of Stephan Ambrose’s books. They dropped into Normandy without bullets. He landed near a group of Germans, knifed one and hid out until dawn. His sons had never heard the story when I showed them the passage. Died in his 90s a few years ago.

[dfwgator]

There’s an excellent Band of Brothers episode dealing with Market Garden.

[L.A.Justice]

British participation in the battle was minimal but Montgomery made it sound as if he, Montgomery had swooped in and saved the day.

_________________________

Prime Minister Winston Churchill had to make a speech praising American troops in Battle of Bulge...He had to do something to calm down Americans...

[jmacusa]

Yes. He called it a ‘’uniquely American victory'' My late Uncle Fred barely survived The Battle Of The Bugle. He was seriously wounded in Belgium in early January ,1945. He served with the 84th. Infantry Division.

[L.A.Justice]

Was Eisenhower at Antwerp the Biggest Allied Blunder of World War II?
___________________________________-

There was a program called MILITARY BLUNDERS on History Channel...Many years ago...

[jmacusa]

Yup. The Germans surrendered the city of Arnhem on May 8, 1945.

[jmacusa]

How about Betty Jo Bialowski!

[dfwgator]

I always loved the line from “Patton”

“Hell, I know I’m a prima donna, I admit it. What I can’t stand about Monty is that he won’t admit it.”

[dfwgator]

War is a series of calamities that result in victory.

[L.A.Justice]

They failed to take into account that airborne operations rarely worked at that time.

________________________________________

I think the Crete operation in 1941 was a disaster for Germans...

Normandy airborne operation in 1944...I don’t think that it was a total disaster...

[abb]

A very good case can be made that had Antwerp become available in September, the war would have ended by Christmas, 1944.

My favorite cocktail:

https://www.mixology.recipes/cocktails/dry-martini-mongomery-s-15-1-ratio

Dry Martini (Mongomery’s 15:1 ratio)
Stir in mixing glass with ice and strain
2 oz London dry gin (6 cl)
1/8 oz dry vermouth (0.4 cl)
1 dash orange bitters
Serve in a well chilled cocktail glass (4.5 oz)
Notes: The favorite Martini of Ernest Hemingway. Named after Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery (1887-1976) who is said to have prefered having 15:1 advantage for his attacks.