I believe Tom is correct.
DT also wrote:
Which, if by "future plans/operations" means detailed operational plans, is also, I believe, correct. In addition, I have not been able to find "any information on future plans/operations" of 12th Army Group once secure bridgeheads were established over the Rhine on the front of 1st and 3rd US Armies.I have been looking for any information on future plans/operations of 21st Army Group once a secure bridgehead was established over the Rhine at Arnhem, and as of yet I can't find any.
What we do have are some outline SHAEF logistic appreciations for further advances in accordance with SHAEF directives to the Army Groups.
the following at a minimum would have to be accomplished before the Ruhr was assaulted, attacked, encircled, isolated, etc.
-western Holland would have to be cleared of enemy forces.
-supply dumps would have to be moved forward
-more divisions would have to be moved up for the proposed assault on the Ruhr
-sufficient air assets would have to be established close enough to support this operation
Yup, I'd agree with that. Several of us seem to recall seeing a reference to a halt for two weeks to restock, but we can't seem to find it again. Any help gratefully received.
Yup, I'd agree with that too! I think that if MG had been successful and if the American 1st Army had managed to secure a bridgehead over the Rhine somewhere on its front, this may have increased the probability that the war would have completed before 8 May 1945. Although it would have probably meant that General Patton needed some blood pressure tablets.I believe that if Operation Market Garden was successful the war would be over by Christmas is just a myth.
If I were to speculate any more, though, I'd have to take myself off to the "What if?" section in disgrace.
Regards
Tom