Quote:
Originally posted by morse1001@Aug 8 2004, 07:21 AM
You could add the fact that that the Army failed to utilise local knowledge at Arhneim. Dutch officers pointed out that the local ferry was still intact, which would allow the British to send troops across the river. In addition, the British failed to utilise the high ground around Ossterbeck. Dutch advice was that they could use the high ground to position at least three artillery batteries that could have provided much need support.
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I think that Eisenhower dismissing Montys original, fuller plans for Arnhem was a mistake. Monty intended that 40 Divisions should be focussed on one single thrust along a 'fault line' that should have had priority over all other operations. However, Eisenhower never agreed, and continued the slower broad front 'plan'.
If Market Garden was supplied, resourced and backed as originally intended, then it may well have indeed shortened the war, and enabled the Allies to reach Berlin before the Soviet Army, which would have resulted in a totally different post war European order.
That was the biggest allied mistake of WW2 IMHO.
Regards
Richard