Just how effective are airborne operations in conventional warfare? This question has plagued military strategists and tacticians since Brigadier General William Mitchell advocated the use of airborne troops in World War I. World War II saw the first large scale use of such operations, with greatly varied results. This paper deals with one such operation, "Operation Market." Described by General Georges S. Patton as "...the most momentous error of the war," and by Sir Winston Churchill as "...a decided victory", the battle would appear to be a paradox within itself. This paper will provide an in-depth look at that portion of Operation Market that dealt with air support of the operation prior to and inclusive of D-Day, and will attempt to determine the effectiveness of this support. Facts learned will provide a useful historical background for air support in future large scale airborne operations.

N8224.1490 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.