What would be necessary to make it so that Operation Market Garden is a success?
Not happen in the first place?
Well for first listen to your Intelligence Sources, do better recon, and by damn make sure all the radios work. Get more transports and gliders to deliver your troops. Use more fighters and bombers to take out pockets of tanks and anti tank guns. Again use better recon.
Pretty much this. It would be in everyone's interest, Monty included, to open up the Scheldt Estuary first.
That being said, I would add the following to zert's list:
1. Drop a brigade right on top of Arnhem Bridge, on the south bank (and keep that as main LZ) - seriously, having your LZ 13km away from your main objective is stupid
2. Send one more division for Nijmegen - Jim Gavin recalled it being a two-division job which he had to do with one
3. Make sure the infantry keeps up with the Guards Armored Division AT ALL TIMES
Marc A
Therefore a triumphant march on the Ruhr region in most probably put of the question, and that was what M-G was supposed to make possible.
On this issue: has anybody got any thoughts as to how the Germans respond to Market-Garden, and how the rest of the war goes with Model dead or a POW?Model captured or killed on the first day
Scheldt Estuary
THIS!! I had forgotten that little tidbit but if they had cleared the estuary when they could have for the cheap, it opens up Brussels all the sooner and allowed for better resupply.
Your other points are spot on as well. If you are going in for the bridges, then by damn, GET the bridges. The troops left hanging at Arnhem was criminal, but then so were so many other factors for the Campaign.
No delays in the airborne drops
Pushing on immediately after taking the Nijmegan bridges.
Model captured or killed on the first day
Frost holds out longer
British airborne not delayed by crowds of cheerng Dutch on the march to Arnhem getting more battalions to the bridge before the Germans reeacted
Radio crystals that worked
The point mentione above is spot on.
Antwerp and its vital port was captured by the British nearly intact. However to use this port you need to capture bothe river banks of the Scheld. For some resons the British troops were not alowed to advance into Norh Beveland and Walcheren
Scheldt Estuary
THIS!! I had forgotten that little tidbit but if they had cleared the estuary when they could have for the cheap, it opens up Brussels all the sooner and allowed for better resupply.
The problem with the Scheldt estuary are numerous and it could not be taken on the cheap - Walchern Island was an Atlantic Wall fortress with fortifications, plenty of artillery and a permanent garrison. The airborne refused to attempt a landing, the naval forces required (as it was an island) were busy dealing with Le Havre and needed serious refitting, and even after clearing both banks you need to clear the mines (most of which were laid in June).
As for Market Garden as well as the points already mentioned, the 101st needs a drop plan to capture bridges and clear Eindhoven, instead of landing as a division; the 82nd needs a plan to capture its main targets the Nijmagen bridges; VIII and XII Corps need to attack at the same time as XXX Corps, etc
Market Garden could be a succes if the Allies turned left after Grave or Nijmegen, if possible.
Originally posted by Parma
Turned left? To go where?
The goal of M-G was to clear the way for a quick strike against the Ruhr region by securing bridges on the Rhine and Waal rivers. Turning left after Grave wouldn't make it possible, since it wouldn't give the Allies any bridge on the Waal; turning after Nijmegen wouldn't give them a bridge on the Rhine (well, there was one west of Arnhem, but far away from any available bridge on the Waal, I believe). I do not understan why should the Allies turn left.
Unless you want to change the main goal of the operation.
Turn East woeps, lucky I wasn't a comander.
Say the Estuary had been cleared and secured. Say that the airlift had been increased for better deployments. Say that the landings had been concentrated right by the bridges. Say that XXX Core had pushed on better than they did. In the end, do any think the mission could have succeeded? I have doubts but welcome more input and information.