Operation Market Garden

Operation Market Garden was a battle during World War II. The Allies attempted a war-winning offensive through the Netherlands, across the Rhine River, and into the open country in northern Germany. The operation failed when the Allied armor was delayed and the paratroopers were unable to hold the last bridge.

Background

Following the Allied victory in Normandy ?, the American and British armies fanned out and rapidly advanced through France and towards the German border. During this time the supply lines still ran back to the beaches and Cherbourg. Critical shortages in gasoline and other supplies caused the advance to slow. At this point General Patton ? argued for a continuation of the advance along the whole front, with whatever supplies available, so as to keep the Germans reeling and to prevent them from entrenching. General Montgomery ?, on the other hand, argued for a narrow front strategy, where all resources would be focused on an airborne operation to seize the bridges leading into northern Germany, followed by a narrow armored thrust that would result in a breakout once across the river. Eisenhower eventually sided with Montgomery, and Market Garden was planned.