It had even forgotten the lesson of its own victory in the battle of Stalingrad in 1943: that cities can be taken only with relentless determination and with infantry attacks.

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"They are coordinating complex, infantry-like attacks against fixed targets, " the official noted.

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Brannon described Hutchins, 23, from Plymouth, Massachusetts, as an "outstanding Marine" who led his infantry squad in a dangerous area where troops had to battle stress and attacks from insurgents.

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