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[[File:82nd_Grave.jpg|thumbnail|320px250px|left|82nd Airborne Division dropped near Grave]]Operation Market Garden, launched in September 1944, was an unsuccessful Allied offensive mainly, fought in the Netherlands. It was the largest airborne operation in history up to that time. The operation was a daring one , and it was the brainchild of the British General Bernard Montgomery. His This operation was even the subject of the 1977 star-studded movie <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0792839730/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0792839730&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=9a43d7d4c531bad29c0c0e65b6ce2267 A Bridge Too Far]</i> directed by Richard Attenborough. He intended the airborne offensive to allow the allies to break into the German heartland and to end the war, quickly. However, this was not the case, the . The allied offensive was to prove to be a costly failure and may have even delayed their victory in Europe. This article will discuss the reasons for the failure of the Why did this operation and they will be fail? Was it Montgomery's over-optimistic planning, poor strategy, poor leadership, German resistance and , or the terrain.?

==BackgroundWhy were the Allied advances grinding to half before Market Garden? ==[[File: Montgomery E010786478-v8.jpg|thumbnail|200px250px|left|General Bernard Montgomery (1944)]]The Allies had landed in Normandy on the 6th of June 1944. After establishing several beach heads beachheads in Normandy, the Allies managed to push forward into the Normandy countryside.<ref> Harclerode, Peter, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0297846825/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0297846825&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4d838669f1b185bdbb1d8898e27add71 Wings Of War: Airborne Warfare 1918–1945]'' (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 2005), p. 45</ref> The Germans initially managed to slow the Allies advance, however. However, a brilliant piece of Allied strategy, resulted in the encirclement of a large part of the Nazi German army, in the Falaise Pocket. The combined Anglo-American divisions inflicted huge losses on the Germans. The German army was forced into a headlong retreat. Paris was soon retaken by the Allies.<ref>Harcerode, p. 46 </ref> The Nazi army was practically forced out of France and retreated towards Alsace-Lorraine and Belgium. It seemed to many that the Allies were on the verge of invading German and some even spoke optimistically of ending the war by Christmas.

However, in truth, The combined Anglo-American divisions inflicted huge losses on the Allied successes had brought its own problemsGermans. The Allies supply lines were overstretched and this German army was slowing down the Americans and British in particular, the shortage of oil meant that Patton’s armored divisions had to halt their advanceforced into a headlong retreat. This Paris was to prove crucial and it allowed soon retaken by the Germans to regroup in the west, when it appeared that they would disintegrate, leading to the end of the warAllies.<ref> Burgett, Donald. ''The Road to Arnhem: A Screaming Eagle in Holland''. Dell Publishing, NY, 2001)Harcerode, p. 946</ref>The German army was practically forced out of France and retreated towards Alsace-Lorraine and Belgium. It seemed to many that the Allies were on the verge of invading German, and some even spoke optimistically of ending the war by Christmas.

==Reasons for Market Garden==[[File: Arnhem.jpg|thumbnail|275px|British prisoners taken at Arnhem]]By the Autumn of 1944However, in truth, it was apparent to the Allied High Command that the Germans successes had managed to retrieve the situation and would offer stiff resistance to any future offensivebrought their own problems. In August 1944The Allies' supply lines were overstretched, a British assault failed to take slowing down the deep water port of Antwerp Americans and had allowed some 80,000 German troops from Scheldt Estuary. This became known as the ‘Great Mistake’ and was perhaps one of the biggest British in the entire war <ref> Burgett, pparticular. 37</ref>. The Allied high command was reluctant to attack the Germans from eastern France, as the Nazi government shortage of oil meant that Patton’s armored divisions had constructed a massive line of defenses, consisting of fortresses, to protect halt their western borderadvance. This was to prove crucial, this was known as the Siegfried Line. The British and it allowed the Americans had Germans to go through regroup in the Low Countries west when it appeared that they would disintegrate, leading to invade Germany and the end of the war.<ref> Ryan, CorneliusBurgett, Donald. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0440236339/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0440236339&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=bc9650521b3cdf40b8caa8cfdffa4396 The Road to Arnhem: A Bridge Too FarScreaming Eagle in Holland]'' . (Wordsworth EditionsDell Publishing, LondonNY, 19992001), p. 789</ref>

The Allies believed ==What was the rationale for Market Garden? ==[[File: Arnhem.jpg|thumbnail|325px|left|British prisoners taken at Arnhem during Operation Market Garden]]By the Autumn of 1944, it was apparent to the Allied High Command that they would need an innovative plan the Germans had managed to break the German frontline in retrieve the Low Countries situation and in Alsace-Lorrainewould offer stiff resistance to any future offensive. General Eisenhower In August 1944, a British assault failed to take Antwerp's deepwater port and other leaders turned their attention to the Low Countrieshad allowed some 80,000 German troops from Scheldt Estuary. It offered them ports which could be used to re-supply This became known as the Allied divisions, who still were reliant on the Normandy ports for their supplies. The more forward thinking ‘Great Mistake’ and was perhaps one of the allied strategists became concerned about biggest in the Rhineentire war.<ref> RyanBurgett, p. 4637</ref> This river would form a formidable natural barrier to any Allied advance but if they liberated the Low Countries it would allow them to cross the Rhine and then to cross into Northern Germany and then onto Berlin. The American and the British governments became increasingly eager to end the War in Europe and they wanted to turn their attention to the Pacific War. Then the western allies believed that they were in a race to Berlin with the Soviet Army and they did not want the Red Army to capture all Germany and to turn it into a client state of Moscow.

==Montgomery's Strategy==[[File:British paratroopers in Oosterbeek.jpg|thumbnail|270px|British paratroopers at Arnhem (1944)]]The allies needed Allied high command was reluctant to break attack the Germans resistance and cross from eastern France, as the Rhine in the Low Countries. General Bernard MontgomeryGerman government had constructed a massive line of defenses, the hero consisting of the British victory at EL Alameinfortresses, proposed a daring planto protect their western border. Field Marshal Montgomery’s goal, This was known as recounted in his memoirs was the Siegfried Line. The British and the Americans had to go through the Low Countries to invade Germany by securing and end the bridges over the Lower Rhine in the Netherlandswar.<ref> MontgomeryRyan, Cornelius, Bernard Law. ''Normandy to the Baltic'' (Hutchinson & Co[https://www. London, 1947), pamazon. 157<com/gp/product/0684803305/ref>. This idea had several advantages such as by=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0684803305&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-passing the Siegfried Line. Montgomery wanted an airborne assault in the Netherlands to secure key bridges over the Lower Rhine. This would allow the Allies to enter into the Northern German plains20&linkId=a59f073c4b3bf60e27b95e4efd51292c A Bridge Too Far]'' (Wordsworth Editions, where there were no natural barriersLondon, to their advance to Berlin <ref>Burgett1999), p. 11778</ref>.

Montgomery’s plan was initially more ambitious but he scaled back his plans in response to Eisenhower’s criticism. Montgomery proposed the following; airborne units would be dropped behind the German lines to secure the bridges over the Meuse and the two tributaries of the Rhine. The airborne units would hold the bridges until the British ground forces arrived. Montgomery Allies believed that not only they would this airborne operation succeed in securing bridges over need an innovative plan to break the Rhine, but result in the retreat of Low Countries and Alsace-Lorraine's German Divisions into Germanyfrontline. The Allied High Command agreed General Eisenhower and other leaders turned their attention to the planLow Countries. Montgomery staked his reputation It offered them ports that could be used to re-supply the Allied divisions, who still were reliant on the strategy and was backed by Churchill. The offensive was to be called Market GardenNormandy ports for their supplies. The 'Market' part more forward-thinking of the operation involved allied strategists became concerned about the airborne aspect of the operationRhine. <ref>MontgomeryRyan, p. 11346</ref> This river would form a formidable natural barrier to any Allied advance, but if they liberated the Low Countries, it would allow them to cross the Rhine and then to cross into Northern Germany and then onto Berlin.

The operation would involve four airborne divisions. The paratroopers would land in the area by gliders or they would parachute into the target zones. Some 50,000 troops were involved and they would also be supplied with some light artillery. There were American, British and Polish units involved in the massive airdrops. The ‘Garden’ part of the plan would involve several British Armored Divisions moving into the Netherlands governments became increasingly eager to link up with end the paratroopers war in Europe and wanted to turn their attention to defend the bridges from any German counterattackPacific Theater. According The western allies believed that they were in a race to MontgomeryBerlin with the Soviet Army, for and they did not want the strategy Red Army to have worked it was dependent on two things, the quick capture of all the bridges by the Allies Germany and the ground forces linking with the paratroopers, within days.<ref>Montgomery, pturn it into a client state of Moscow. 118</ref>

==The BattleWhat was Montgomery's Strategy for Operation Market Garden? == [[File:Sherman_tanks_of_the_Irish_Guards_GroupBritish paratroopers in Oosterbeek.jpg|thumbnail|275px250px|Irish Guard Sherman tanks advance on September 17, left|British paratroopers at Arnhem (1944) during Operation Market Garden]]Operation Market Garden began on The allies needed to break the Germans' resistance and cross the Rhine in the 17th of September 1944Low Countries. It was a coordinated action by AmericanGeneral Bernard Montgomery, the hero of the British victory at El Alamein, proposed a Polish Airborne and mainly British forcesdaring plan. The operation began with heavy air raidsAs recounted in his memoirs, in order field Marshal Montgomery’s goal was to weaken any resistance. The paratroopers began landing at 13.00hrs around targets invade Germany by securing the bridges over the Lower Rhine in the Netherlands, chiefly Eindhoven, Arnhem and Nijmegen.<ref> DevlinMontgomery, Gerard M.Bernard Law. ''Paratrooper[https: The Saga Of Parachute And Glider Combat Troops During World War II//www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007J1BXO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0007J1BXO&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=1ed80a46adf53fbeae6a37e7dbcb15e2 Normandy to the Baltic]''(Hutchinson & Co. Robson Books, NYLondon, 19791947), p. 117157</ref>. The paratroopers had the advantage of surprise and they achieved their objectives. The Germans This idea had been taken completely several advantages such as by surprise. The initial phase of -passing the operation was a total successSiegfried Line. It had been feared that the Germans would blow up Montgomery wanted an airborne assault in the Netherlands to secure key bridges and this would mean that over the plan Lower Rhine. This would have to be aborted. The rapid capture of the bridges meant that allow the ground forces would be able Allies to reach enter into the landing zonesNorthern German plains, where there were no natural barriers, and support the paratroopersto their advance to Berlin.<ref>DevlinBurgett, p. 119117</ref>

The British ground forces fought their way Montgomery’s plan was initially more ambitious, but he scaled back his plans according to Eisenhower’s criticism. Montgomery proposed the following; airborne units would be dropped behind the German lines to Nijmegen secure the bridges over the Meuse and captured the city, after some fierce fightingtwo tributaries of the Rhine. One after another The airborne units would hold the bridges were captured by until the British Ground ground forcesarrived. Montgomery believed that not only would this airborne operation succeed in securing bridges over the Rhine but result in the retreat of German Divisions into Germany. The operation appeared to be going Allied High Command agreed to the plan despite heavier than anticipated German resistance. Montgomery staked his reputation on the strategy and was backed by Churchill. The most important bridge was Arnhem, this offensive was the most strategically significant bridge and it had to be seized by the ground forces if called Market Garden was to succeed in its objectives. The British paratroopers had captured 'Market' part of the operation involved the bridge but they soon came under fierce attack from units airborne aspect of the crack 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisionsoperation.<ref> Hastings, Max, ''Armageddon: The Battle for Germany 1944–45'' (London: Pan Books, 2004)Montgomery, p.123113</ref>. The SS had armor and tanks and they pounded the British paratroopers mercilessly.

The British operation would involve four airborne divisions. The paratroopers soon found themselves surrounded as would land in the SS had encircled them. The lightly armed British soldiers fought bravelyarea by gliders, but or they could not hold out for longwould parachute into the target zones. An elite British unit, the Irish GuardsSome 50, was fighting its way forward to help the airborne 000 troops. Howeverwere involved, because of the terrain they had to fight their way up to Arnhem on a single road and they would also be supplied with some light artillery. There were constantly attacked. This road came to be known as American, British, and Polish units involved in the Highway to Hellmassive airdrops. The tanks ‘Garden’ part of the Guards could not leave plan would involve several British Armored Divisions moving into the narrow road as Netherlands to link up with the ground was very marshy paratroopers and much of it was bog landdefend the bridges from any German counterattack. As According to Montgomery, for the Irish Guards made their way strategy to Arnhem they were easily picked off by the Germanshave worked, who attacked them from the cover of woodland. Eventuallyit depended on two things, such was the ferocity quick capture of all the German resistance that bridges by the British came to a halt. The paratroopers at Arnhem were isolated Allies and cut-off and were forced to surrender. Operation Market Garden had achieved all of its objectives, except the most important one, ground forces linking with the capture of the Bridge at Arnhemparatroopers within days.<ref>HastingsMontgomery, p. 135118</ref>

==Montgomery’s Optimistic PlanningWhat Happened during Operation Market Garden? ==Even before [[File:Sherman_tanks_of_the_Irish_Guards_Group.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Irish Guard Sherman tanks advance on September 17, 1944, during Operation Market Garden]]Operation Market Garden began on the start 17th of the September 1944. It was a coordinated action by American, British a Polish Airborne, and mainly British forces. The operation, many feared that Montgomery’s plan was too optimisticbegan with heavy air raids to weaken any resistance. The commander of paratroopers began landing at 13.00hrs around targets in the Polish airborne unit declared that the plan was flawed Netherlands, chiefly Eindhoven, Arnhem, and famously stated that the prime objective of the offensive the Arnhem Bridge was ‘a bridge too farNijmegen.’<ref> RyanDevlin, Gerard M.. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0860510689/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0860510689&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=649bb9080e6f13f739965427274aedcb Paratrooper: The Saga Of Parachute And Glider Combat Troops During World War II]'' Robson Books, NY, 1979), p 89. 117</ref> He meant that Montgomery’s aims were simply too ambitious . The paratroopers had the advantage of surprise, and that he they achieved their objectives. The Germans had been taken completely by surprise. The initial phase of the operation was asking too much of his mena total success. Montgomery also assumed It had been feared that the paratroop unit could retain their landing zones and Germans would blow up the bridges for a given period , which would mean that the plan would have to be aborted. The rapid capture of time. Paratroops were only lightly armed the bridges meant that the ground forces would be able to reach the landing zones and without support from ground troops and tanks they could hold out for longthe paratroopers. The British General<ref>Devlin, was wrong to believe that airborne troops could resist assault from ground troops supported by armor for a period of daysp. 119</ref>

Crucially Montgomery, failed to understand the terrain that he expected his men to fight in. The roads in the Netherlands were narrow and that the ground around them was unsuitable for armor. This was a fundamental error- Montgomery had simply assumed that his tanks could make their way rapidly to the landing zones, by using only the roads. During the battle the roads became death traps for many British units and they soon became clogged with burned out tanks and vehicles and this critically delayed the ground forces coming to the support of the paratroopers in Arnhem, in particular. Perhaps the biggest failing of the Montgomery plan was that it assumed that the Germans had been decisively beaten and that any counter<dh-attack that they could launch in the area would be limited.<ref> Montgomery, p. 178<ad/ref>

==German Counter-attack==[[File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-J27784The British ground forces fought their way to Nijmegen and captured the city,_Arnheim,_Walter_Model,_Heinz_Harmel.jpg|thumbnail|225px|General Walter Model with SS-Brigadeführer Heinz Harmel]] The Germans had been driven back after some two hundred miles in a matter of weeksfierce fighting. The British and Ground forces captured one after another the Americans dominated the skies and constantly harassed the Germansbridges. The roads had become very unsafe for the Germans and they had also come under attack from the local operation appeared to be going to plan despite heavier than anticipated German resistance movements. The Germans had lost some 90,000 killed or wounded during most important bridge was Arnhem. This was the summer of 1944 and a further 200,000 most strategically significant bridge. It had been taken prisoner or missing in action<ref> Ryan, p. 1, 45</ref>. However, after the failure of the British army to encircle be seized by the German army in the Scheldt Estuary allowed the Germans time ground forces if Market Garden was to regroup succeed in the Netherlandsits objectives. The German front British paratroopers had begun to stabilize. They were also ably led by captured the very experienced General Walter Model. He also received some reinforcements in the form of the remaining units of bridge, but they soon came under fierce attack from the crack 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions. Unfortunately<ref> Hastings, for the AlliesMax, especially the British, the SS units were positioned in Arnhem''[https://www. This was not merely bad luck, but due to good German intelligenceamazon.<com/gp/product/0330490621/ref>Hastings=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0330490621&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=6206158efce5c001fc4abbbb9e1291a3 Armageddon: The Battle for Germany 1944–45]'' (London: Pan Books, 2004), p. 119123</ref>The SS had armor and tanks, and they pounded the British paratroopers mercilessly.

==Intelligence Failure==The Germans British paratroopers soon found themselves surrounded as the SS had anticipated that there would be an offensive launched with the objective of seizing Arnhemencircled them. The lightly armed British soldiers fought bravely, Wesel and Nijmegenbut they could not hold out for long. A senior intelligence officer argued that An elite British unit, the British and Irish Guards, was fighting its way forward to help the American would use airborne troops. However, he did not predict where because of the assault would beterrain, they had to fight their way up to Arnhem on a single road, and they were constantly attacked. Nevertheless, German intelligence was able This road came to provide the High Command with be known as the information they needed Highway to prepare for any planned Allied attackHell. The German General Model heeded his intelligence officers Guards' tanks could not leave the narrow road as the ground was very marshy and this much of it was bogland. As the Irish Guards made their way to prove decisive. The British had excellent intelligence<ref> RyanArnhem, p. 45</ref>. They had reliable information on the movements of they were easily picked off by the Germans, who attacked them from the Dutch Resistance and they could also employ aerial reconnaissance planes to obtain photographic intelligencewoodland cover. One reconnaissance mission Eventually, such was able to provide images the ferocity of the German resistance that seemed the British came to show German forces in the a halt. The paratroopers at Arnhem areawere isolated and cut-off and were forced to surrender. This was confirmed by information from Operation Market Garden had achieved all of its objectives, except the local resistance. This was compelling proof that most important one, the Germans had significant forces and that any air assault on capture of the regionBridge at Arnhem.<ref>Hastings, would be a great riskp. 135</ref>

The intelligence officer who reported this to == Was Montgomery 's plan for Market Garden Overly Optimistic? ==Even before the start of the operation, many feared that Montgomery’s plan was not believedtoo optimistic. When he tried to persuade Montgomery The Polish airborne unit commander declared that there the plan was a large build-up flawed and famously stated that the prime objective of German forces near the offensive the ArnhemBridge was ‘a bridge too far.’<ref> Ryan, p 89</ref> He meant that Montgomery’s aims were simply too ambitious and that he was relieved asking too much of his command men. Montgomery also assumed that the paratroop unit could retain their landing zones and rumors spread that he had the bridges for a nervous breakdowngiven period of time. Montgomery’s refusal to heed intelligence was to result in a near disaster Paratroops were only lightly armed, and without support from ground troops and tanks, they could not hold out for the long. The British. It appears that the General, refused was wrong to countenance anything believe that contradicted his views as he was utterly convinced of the brilliance of his plans airborne troops could resist assault from ground troops supported by armor for Market Garden and his own infallibilityseveral days.<ref> Harclerode, p. 127</ref>

==Consequences of Market Garden==The operation was not a total failure as it did lead to the liberation of large areas of southern Netherlands and the gain of several strategic bridges. However, it Crucially Montgomery failed to secure understand the key bridge at Arnhem, terrain that would have allowed the Allies he expected his men to cross the Rhinefight in. The failure at Arnhem meant that any planned invasion of Germany had to be delayed. The Germans, although they had lost ground, roads in the Netherlands were able to establish a strong defensive line. In totalnarrow, and that the Allies had suffered some 15,000 casualties and had many thousands more taken prisonerground around them was unsuitable for armor. The Germans This was a fundamental error- Montgomery had also lost equipment and vehicles simply assumed that they his tanks could ill-afford rapidly make their way to use. An unintended consequence of the offensive was a serious famine in landing zones by using only the Netherlandsroads. The Dutch railways stopped during During the battle, to stop German reinforcements getting to the front line. In revenge, the Germans forbade the transportation of food, by train and in the following winter there were serious food shortages throughout the Netherland’s and thousands died of starvation or malnutrition<ref>Ryan, p. 378</ref>. ==Conclusion==Operation Market Garden was a tactical defeat roads became death traps for the Allies, as it failed to achieve all its objectivesmany British units. It failed to secure the key bridge at Arnhem They soon became clogged with burned-out tanks and this meant that they were halted at the Rhinevehicles. This probably critically delayed the eventual Allied victory in western Europe. The operation failed because of a failure in planning, intelligence, and a lack of understanding of ground forces coming to the nature support of the terrainparatroopers in Arnhem in particular. There Perhaps the Montgomery plan's biggest failing was also a mistaken belief that it assumed that the Germans had been all put defeated. Market Garden was moreover fundamentally flawed as it mistakenly believed decisively beaten and that any counter-attack that airborne forces they could resist heavily armed troops for an extended periodlaunch in the area would be limited. While not exclusively to blame<ref>Montgomery, many of these failures were a result of Montgomery and his over-optimistic ideas and his arrogance. The failure of Operation Market Garden was largely the result of the poor leadership and tactics of General Montgomeryp.178</ref>

== Were the Allies prepared for the German Counter-attack during Operation Market Garden?==[[File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-J27784,_Arnheim,_Walter_Model,_Heinz_Harmel.jpg|thumbnail|225px|General Walter Model with SS-Brigadeführer Heinz Harmel]] The Germans had been driven back some two hundred miles in a matter of weeks. The British and the Americans dominated the skies and constantly harassed the Germans. The roads had become very unsafe for the Germans, and they had also come under attack from the local resistance movements. The Germans had lost some 90,000 killed or wounded during the summer of 1944, and a further 200,000 had been taken prisoner or missing in action.<ref> Ryan, p. 1, 45</ref>  However, after the British army failed to encircle the German army in the Scheldt Estuary, it allowed the Germans time to regroup in the Netherlands. The German front had begun to stabilize. They were also ably led by the very experienced General Walter Model. He also received some reinforcements in the remaining units of the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions. Unfortunately, for the Allies, especially the British, the SS units were positioned in Arnhem. This was not merely bad luck, but due to good German intelligence.<ref>Hastings, p. 119</ref> == Why did Montegomery ignore the Dutch Resistance's Intelligence regarding German Troop Movements? ==The Germans had anticipated that there would be an offensive launched to seize Arnhem, Wesel, and Nijmegen. A senior intelligence official argued that the British and the Americans would use airborne troops. However, he did not predict where the assault would be. Nevertheless, German intelligence provided the High Command with the information they needed to prepare for any planned Allied attack. The German General Model heeded his intelligence officers, and this was to prove decisive. The British had excellent intelligence.<ref> Ryan, p. 45</ref>  They had reliable information on the Germans' movements from the Dutch Resistance, and they could also employ aerial reconnaissance planes to obtain photographic intelligence. One reconnaissance mission was able to provide images that seemed to show German forces in the Arnhem area. This was confirmed by information from the local resistance. This was compelling proof that the Germans had significant forces and that any air assault on the region would be a great risk.  The intelligence officer who reported this to Montgomery was not believed. When he tried to persuade Montgomery that there was a large build-up of German forces near Arnhem, he was relieved of his command, and rumors spread that he had a nervous breakdown. Montgomery’s refusal to heed intelligence was to result in a near disaster for the British. It appears that the General refused to countenance anything that contradicted his views as he was utterly convinced of the brilliance of his plans for Market Garden and his own infallibility.<ref> Harclerode, p. 127</ref> == What were the Consequences of the failure of Operation Market Garden? == The operation was not a total failure as it led to the liberation of large southern Netherlands areas and gained hold of several strategic bridges. However, it failed to secure the key bridge at Arnhem, which would have allowed the Allies to cross the Rhine. The failure at Arnhem meant that any planned invasion of Germany had to be delayed. The Germans, although they had lost ground, we're able to establish a strong defensive line. In total, the Allies had suffered some 15,000 casualties and had many thousands more taken prisoner. The Germans had also lost equipment and vehicles that they could ill-afford to use. An unintended consequence of the offensive was a serious famine in the Netherlands. The Dutch railways stopped during the battle to stop German reinforcements from getting to the front line. In revenge, the Germans forbade the transportation of food, by train and in the following winter, there were serious food shortages throughout the Netherland’s and thousands died of starvation or malnutrition.<ref>Ryan, p. 378</ref> === Operation Market Garden failed to meet any of its Objectives ==Operation Market Garden was a tactical defeat for the Allies, as it failed to achieve all its objectives. It failed to secure the key bridge at Arnhem, which meant that they were halted at the Rhine. This probably delayed the eventual Allied victory in western Europe. The operation failed because of a failure in planning, intelligence, and a lack of understanding of the terrain's nature. There was also a mistaken belief that the Germans had been all but defeated.  Moreover, Market Garden was fundamentally flawed as it mistakenly believed that airborne forces could resist heavily armed troops for an extended period. While not exclusively to blame, many of these failures resulted from Montgomery and his over-optimistic ideas and arrogance. The failure of Operation Market Garden was largely the result of General Montgomery's poor leadership and tactics. ====References====

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