Rewatching A Bridge Too Far

Also a great example of cinematography. The take off scene is so exciting

Great opening

If you like the movie, the book is a great read.

I gotta rewatch that movie. It's been too too long

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And just getting angry about such a poorly conceived operation.

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Great movie and great cast.

I didnt hate the plan although the single road should have raised some flags.

The biggest frick up, there were a few, was again piss poor allied intelligence (see Pearl Harbor, see the Ardennes offensive, see the Italian campaign in its entirety). After about a year of hard fighting the 2nd Panzer Corps needed a rest and refit. So what was left of the entire corps was sent to...............Arnhem. The Red Devils had no shot. Somehow we missed the movement of an entire Corps.

The resistance the 82nd and 101 were up against was also not calculated properly. In Band of Brothers Nixon and Winters laugh about "just old men and boys" as they are retreating.

It wasnt just the 2nd Panzer Corps refitting there, there were lots of smaller units and pieces in the area.

FYI - a couple of years ago, I asked ChatGPT about Operation Market Garden, and here his her reply:

ChatGPT said:

Operation Market Garden was a major Allied military operation in World War II, primarily conducted by British and American airborne troops and ground forces from September 17 to September 25, 1944. The operation aimed to secure a series of bridges in the Netherlands and allow the Allies to advance rapidly into Germany. However, it ultimately failed due to a combination of factors:

Overambitious Plan:

The operation was highly ambitious, aiming to bypass the heavily fortified Siegfried Line and establish a bridgehead across the Rhine River. The plan's scope and complexity stretched the available resources to their limits.

Intelligence Failures:

The Allies had incomplete and inaccurate intelligence about German positions and strength in the area. They underestimated the number of German troops and tanks in the region, which led to surprises and setbacks.

Poor Weather:

Bad weather conditions in the form of heavy rain and cloud cover limited the effectiveness of Allied air support, which was crucial for protecting and resupplying the airborne troops. The weather also hindered visibility for both air and ground forces.

Communication Issues:

Radios used by the Allied forces had limited range, and communication between different units was difficult. This hampered coordination and the ability to respond to changing circumstances.

Inadequate Ground Forces:

The ground forces responsible for advancing and linking up with the airborne troops faced several issues, including a shortage of infantry and armored support. This made it challenging to secure the corridor to the bridges.

Strong German Defense:

German forces, particularly the 9th and 10th SS Panzer divisions, put up a fierce defense and quickly exploited the Allied delays and setbacks. They counterattacked and effectively blocked the advance.

Supply Problems:

Due to the rapid advance and disruption of supply lines, the airborne troops were often isolated and short of critical supplies, such as ammunition and food. This weakened their ability to hold key positions.

Bridge at Arnhem:

The critical bridge at Arnhem, which was the farthest point of advance and the primary objective, proved to be the most challenging to capture and hold. The British 1st Airborne Division encountered strong resistance and was unable to secure the bridge for the ground forces to cross.

Delays and Missed Opportunities:

The operation suffered from delays and missed opportunities, such as the failure to quickly capture key bridges and the inability to respond rapidly to changing circumstances. These setbacks allowed the Germans to reinforce their defenses.

Overall Logistics:

The overall logistics of the operation were complex and strained. Supply lines were extended, and there were challenges in providing the necessary support to the airborne troops.

Operation Market Garden's failure was a significant setback for the Allies in their push to end the war in Europe. It delayed the liberation of the Netherlands and the advance into Germany, allowing the German Army to regroup and strengthen its defenses along the Rhine River.