ABSTRACT
The initiative behind Comet was that of Field Marshal Montgomery, commander of the British 21st Army Group. Attention can quickly focus upon the 1st British Airborne Division, which was to bear the brunt at Arnhem. A short onward advance from Arnhem to the IJsselmeer would cut off all German forces in western Holland, hasten the clearance of Antwerp and overrun Rotterdam to bring two major ports into use and help solve the chronic supply problem. The 101st United States, being only twenty miles from the ground-attack start line, would carry only the barest minimum of its artillery, whereas 1st British at Arnhem would require all of its artillery. The distance by road from the start line at Neerpelt to the bridge at Arnhem was sixty-four miles, a far deeper airborne penetration than ever before contemplated. The basic advantages of airborne operations - surprise and the ability to drop astride an objective - were being thrown away.
