He said thousands of men were set to defend the area, an estimate far higher than that given by allied commanders.

WSJ: U.S. Starts Afghan Surge

The allied commanders, not the city's mayor, had the ultimate say.

ECONOMIST: New history museums

Mr Hastings excessively admires two German field-marshals: Gerd von Rundstedt and Eric von Manstein, whereas only Bill Slim and George Patton rise above the general mediocrity of Allied field commanders.

ECONOMIST: The second world war

Contrary to myth, their field commanders usually outdid their Allied counterparts in initiative and tactical innovation.

FORBES: Fact and Comment