The Betrayal of Market-Garden

Operation Market-Garden, the “Bridge Too Far” attack that resulted in the decimation of British and Polish airborne forces at Arnhem when they dropped almost literally on top of two crack SS panzer divisions, was one of the greatest disasters of the war. The battle lasted from 17th till 26th September 1944. More than 35,000 paratroopers were dropped making Operation Market-Garden the largest airborne operation in history. Rumours have long circulated that the operation was betrayed by German sympathizers in the Dutch Resistance. Actually, the Dutch underground had not been informed about the operation precisely because of fears that it had been “penetrated” by German intelligence. And in fact, if the British had heeded information that they received from the Dutch Resistance concerning German dispositions they would have been aware of the presence of the panzers.

 

Yep, a case of biting off more than you can chew here. Especially when being informed that the panzers were present in the area? :ehm: