getting British reinforcements if they would have been needed.
The Brits still had an Army Group and were a very formidable force. They consisted of the 2nd Army (Brit), First Canadian Army (Canada), plus units from Poland, Dutch, Belgium and Czech.
While the Brits were having manpower shortages, this was in reinforcements and contingency operations, such as Greece. They also had limited ability to conduct large grandiose maneuvers like Market Garden, but the could and did put up a good fight.
Eisenhower's decision to place the U.S. First and Ninth Army under operational control of Monty was partly due to the distances involved from the two different sides of the Bulge. One of the side benefits of this arrangement thought Ike and Beetle Smith, was the fact that Monty would be more like to commit his reserves, if he was responsible for that part of the battle. Another consideration was Antwerp, which was in the 24th Army Groups zone. This was the port where most of the supplies would funnel into the battle zone.
Yes the British had no replacements for the causalities incurred but at the time of the Bulge the British XXX Corps was out of the line and getting ready for Monty’s next push. XXX Corps consisted of 3 Infantry Division, an Airborne Division, the Guards Armored Division and various other units. XXX Corps was basically an Army!!!
Once the Watch on the Rhine began XXX Corps was moved to a deep reserve position about 40 miles behind the Meuse River. British units also took over the guarding of the Meuse crossings as well.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}