[Hebrews 11:6]

I'm curious why the Allies' strategy included consciously delaying the liberation of the northern Netherlands, in favor of attacking eastward first into Germany. Once all of France had been reclaimed, why not turn northward before invading Germany? Refusal to do so surely extended the substantial hardships of the Dutch.

Was it to keep the Germans' Army Group H pinned down in Holland and incapable of reinforcing the Siegfried/Rhine defenses, combined with "We've got the Germans on the run now, let's hurry and finish them off"?

[henkster]

Holland was a dead end, easily defended with a minimum of forces because of the many water obstacles. Ike was ordered to conduct operations directed at the heart of Germany and the destruction of her armed forces. Or something like that. He was remarkably consistent in pursuing that strategy.