Rat thoughts

AMC is currently showing A Bridge Too Far. It is the story of one of the most daring (and ultimately futile) campaigns of World War II, Operation Market-Garden, an airborne attempt to capture several bridges in Holland, particularly the bridge at Arnhem. Despite questionable reconnaissance, General Montgomery believed the area was only lightly defended and ordered the attack to proceed. In reality, the highly experienced II. SS-Panzerkorps was in the area for rest and refit. The end result was some 18,000 Allied casualties, including the loss of 80% of the 1st Airborne Division. Montgomery claimed the attack was "90% successful."