[jleyank]

Various histories have pointed out that the British (ie, Montgomery) did not have the ability to sustain significant casualties - the army had maxed out, and they were cannibalizing units to keep others at strength. So, if a single thrust was attempted, it would have to have been done by the American forces with their greater ability to withstand casualties.

And, I think, it would have been better for Montgomery to first fully open the port of Antwerp before trying to end-around the Germans. While he might not have needed supply via Antwerp, having such a source closer to the front would have enabled more activity to his south as well.

There was a tremendous incentive to try to end the war in 1944. There was insufficient understanding of the resilience of the German forces, and the coming logistic shortfall (or strangulation). The politics of the US/UK coalition could not be ignored. The V1/V2 sites had to be removed to end their threat to Britain, but after that was completed the targets were inland (the Ruhr and SE).

And Market Garden revealed the severe limitation of paratroop and glider infantry - it was basically static after it got to where it was going. They were not able to carry all that much with them, and there was no real ability to move except on foot.