British Army, Holland 1944 - This Anglo-American airborne operation was launched September 17, 1944, with the objective of securing the crossing over the great Dutch rivers Maas, Waal and Lower Rhine, and so opening a way for an armored advance into the north German plain before the onset of winter. Montgomery, commanding the British 21st Army Group, persuaded Eisenhower in early September that, such was the disorganization of the Germans in the west following their precipitated retreat from Normandy, he could "bounce" their defense of the Low Countries and avoid the preparation of a long conventional offensive.