What would the effect on events in NW Europe have been if the Falaise pocket had been closed. Monty could possibly have done it had he moved faster. Patton very likely could have if he hadn't been ordered to halt at various phase lines. After all, early in the pocket Patton had reconnissance troops in Falaise and then withdrew them because of orders from higher up.
But, let's say the pocket is closed. The Germans attempt a breakout but fail. The trapped units end up surrendering enmasse after putting up a stiff resistance.
1st SS, 2nd SS, 9th SS, 10th SS, 12th SS Panzer all gone. No surviving core to rebuild these divisions. 2nd, 9th, 11th, Lehr Panzer all gone. Several PanzerGrenadier divisions gone. A number of infantry divisions gone.
In all cases the loss of a surviving core of veterans and staff on which to rebuild is lost. Market-Garden doesn't have the SS units there to slow things. The Fallschirmjäger divisions under Student are half the original number as 3rd and 5th are lost at Falaise.
Patton isn't substancially slowed by counter attacks at Nancy and later Metz. The Ardennes Offensive isn't possible. The troops and units simply don't exist to pull it off.
Possible alternatives to this?