In the style of Butler

The First Afghan War provided the clear lesson to the British authorities that while it may be relatively straightforward to invade Afghanistan it is wholly impracticable to occupy the country or attempt to impose a government not welcomed by the inhabitants. The only result will be failure and great expense in treasure and lives.


(click on image)

At the time the British Army learnt a number of lessons from this sorry episode. One was that the political officers must not be permitted to predominate over military judgments.

Lest we forget
.