Arnheim landings by Sunderland Flying Boat

[NARSES2]

One thing I have never understood about the Arnhem landings is why they were at 2 in the afternoon   One of the problems in the assault (as in all airborne assaults) is the problem of rapidly building up your numbers.  Now I know that D-Day put the allies off night paradrops for good, but why no take-off in the dark with a drop at first light?  Then the transports can go back and load up again for another drop in daylight.

Simple answer?  The RAF preferred to do it in daylight - it made navigation much easier.   Official answer?  Weather.   Weather bedevilled the operation throughout.

Yup the operation really did suffer with the weather