The UK has insufficient infantry to properly carry out it's task, there being none to "hold" areas that have been taken in battle and the bad guys return when the soldiers move out. The quantity and quality of equipment is poor and there is very little stockpile to replace unserviceable.

Chris, Fareham, GB

Britains traditionally small and professional army is often refferred to being elite comparibly, if thats true they should be equipped accordingly. Its no good having well trained soldiers if the hardware aint there. If the US critisism embarresses the govt into action, then thanks US!!!

Steve, Leeds, UK

I am suprised, and grateful, for all of the supportive comments, from Americans, for the support of our soldiers. Thank you.
The problem Gates (even though I detest the man) is referring to, is one of Government support, which is true. Our Govt. IS failing to supply troops with kit and cover!

James Knight, seaford, UK

British soldiers are tough brave and professional. They have two big issues; they must realize that these Islamic extremists are not the IRA,they are another magnitude of ruthless killer.Didn't the IRA warn police of bombings in advance? The other problem is resources.Their govt must do better.

Eric, Raleigh, NC, USA

I really believe if the Americans believe they can do a better job,
Then LET THEM !. THEY WANT TO POLICE THE WORLD.
All british troops should pull out of both iraq and afghan, after all the number of blue on blue incidents( or is it, they are forgetting their own short falls)
The nerve of it

k brand, bradford, uk

Please we have half the men! Half the Equipment.
I have mates in out there they tell me they have contact once or twice a day. Our guys are dying every week (4 marines last week). How about the Germans, French and other guys coming up from Kabul and helping us out. Send your criticisms to them USA!

Simon, Bristol, England

Well it doesn't really matter with the way the government has cut our armed services while pouring our money down "popular, vote buying schemes". Very soon we won't be able to fight our way out of a paper bag. it's all very reminiscent of the thirties "peace dividend" Nothing learned..........

Bill, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

I think Britishes forces are right to some extent. They know the history of this region because of their past experience. Probabaly they believe in negotiationa whereas Americans beieve in bullet . British soldiers are also started thinking that why they are out of thier country just for nothing.

zaheerul Hassan, Lahore, Pakistan

Bloody nerve of the man!! For the first 5 years Helmand was the responsibility of the US, they did little and achieve nothing, rarely confronting the Taleban or local warlords. The UK took over Helmand and the Canadians took on Kandahar casualties/forces deployed show who's doing the work.

Bill, Stavanger, Norway

If the Americans don't want our help, I'd be very glad to see our soldiers brought home before any more lives are wasted in this pointless and ultimately doomed venture.
In point of fact, even if the Americans do want our help, I'd still be very glad to see our soldiers brought home.

John, Glasgow,

If British Forces in Afghanistan were to employ the tactics which brought success in the Malayan Campaign perhaps the conflict could be brought to a speedy end....besides,is the US army not large enough to operate on it.own? Perhaps British expertise and professionalism are indispensable after all.

stan urbaniak, london, UK

John, U r correct. we need 2 recognise the men and women more who r serving. If we wer not out there who knows what the al-Qaeda would be planning unopposed and another point who r the americans 2 complain about the britsh army when we re the only major force besides them out ther.

Adam, Maghull, Liverpool

Well John in Woking. During the 2nd World War my mother and her sisters spent night after night huddled under the stairs as German bombers flew overhead to rain devastation on Bristol. My uncles were training to repel an invasion from Nazi forces massed 30 miles from our shores. That threat was real

Francis Cousins, Wrington, UK

I wish that any technical critiique of our operations was kept away from the media - if there are lessons to be learnt , then that's jut fine - the British Military are adaptable. But given the way this is now in the public domain I hope the US media and body politic move quickly to mend bridges.

mark, houston,

Many NATO countries will suffer with the UK and US if Afghanistan has to be left to Al Qaeda and its supporters. But most have chosen to stand back from the necessary if dirty fight to prevent them regaining unfettered control. We (the UK and US) should reserve our ire for them.

Dominic Williams, London, UK

623 Americans died in Afghstn; 4,196 in Iraq; 138 from my state--7 from Wash DC. Wash Post offers stats. I keep count for my hometown (population 2,600). We've lost three homeboys. I'm grateful to our military and Bush for keeping us safe. It seems UK troops do not have gov't support.

Jill , Cleveland, GA

Specialist "stay behind" groups are needed in Afghanistan on extended operations and fit in well with the climate, terrain and are as good as the enemy they are seeking to destroy. The Rhodesian Selous Scouts had a similar Modus Operandi and were extremely successfull in pseudo operations.

Mike, Burley-in-Wharfedale, England

The fighting men and women of the British Armed Forces are in no way at fault, and none should be implied.
The fault lies with an incompetent and duplicitous British Government who have politicised the MoD and the role of the military and failed to resource and equip our fighting forces adequately

Peter McGuirk, Lytham, UK

It is laughable for Brigadier Nigel Aylwin-Foster to suggest that American counterparts need to take lessons from Britain’s experience in Northern Ireland . PIRA was like a 'play school' army compared with the Taliban. The British rolled over and established well paid political posts for PIRA leader

Raymond Atkinson, Belfast, Northern Ireland

UK troops aren't failing, it's just the most volitile province in the country, and the government aren't divirting enough funds to the armed forces, rather giving it to the bone-idle or spending iot on themselves

dan, leicester, UK

As an Argentinian who proudly took british nationality so many years ago, I am gratefull for the work and dedication of the British forces all over the world.
The lack of real support from government and intellectual classes for our forces speaks loud against a perverse policy of self flagelation.

John Zen, London, UK

But Britain has been there before haven't we? Twice. So have the Russians. We cannot easily beat a people so determined that uses 13 year old boys pushing barrows laden with explosives. We knew we would be getting into an unbeatable scrap. Thanks USA for your CRITICISM - not.

Alan, Grantham, UK

I wish our ruling classes and military top brass would wake up and realise that we are not a world power any more. The effort of the common soldier which is under equipped and under manned is being insulted by people not at the sharp end having a rose tinted idea of our power and influence.

Jay, Harlow Essex, England

We have commitment, experience & skill. What we don't have is a budget like the US. Our country is much smaller then the US & with a smaller Army we are doing all we can. To criticise us now is unforgiveable as we prepare to bury more of our friends and colleagues. Shame on the US, our friends?

D Elvidge, Beverley, England

I am sure our guys are doing the best with what they have got.
Everyone from Army Commanders to US Allies have complained about the British Army's lack of equipment to carry out their task. It seems the British government wants the kudos of the Army assisting in Afghanistan but can't pay their way.

C.Brooks, Khobar, Saudi Arabia

We worked and shared our resources in WWII. Did we forget how it was done? So our forces are called in to help them. Maybe making resourses available before an operation starts would help. Maybe getting the German troops in the field would help.

Tom, Leeper, USA

Actually, as the UK much like the US were turned into huge dodgey hedge funds - we can't afford these wars and frankly, never wanted them, so let the Americans have Afghansistan and Iraq. Time the American people demanded no more of their/our young men sent to die for a pack of lies.
Enough!

S. McCarthey, Dorset, UK

I am embarrassed by the petty criticism of the UK forces being leveled by people of influence in this country. I am an active Obama supporter and I hope that he will swiftly correct his erroneous decision to keep Robert Gates on at the Pentagon.

Thomas Barton, Springfield, Missouri, USA

The criticism should be levelled at the MOD and the Government, who have sent out some great fighting men with appalling equipment.

Either we support our Troops properly, or we withdraw and let the Americans discover what the Russians found - you just can't win a war in Afghanistan on your own !

PLH, Guildford, UK

FACT: The British army was not defeated in the field Southern Iraq.

Sounds like sour grapes! A force of 8500 soldiers who are respected by the natives, know how to execute a complex operation and are being bamboozled by an inexperienced military force that has a trillion dollars of equipment.

CNG, Chicago, USA

"Man for man, the British armed forces are the best in the world". This attitude is the death of the UK. British forces are no longer the best in the world and they need to work hard to get back there. Turning up does not constitute a victory. wake up - results are 3rd rate.

Jonny, Vancouver, Canada

The Brits, Americans, Canadian, Kiwis, Aussies (& others): we're the Good Guys. That's my team, & sometimes the members of my team don't agree on everything. Sometimes things should be better communicated--'nuff said? Let's do what it takes to finish the job... Other challenges are brewing.

Steve , Miami, FL , USA

For all the preferential treatment and favours the UK, Canada and Australia have given the USA, we have gotten little in return.

Let the USA lobby the other NATO countries, and Japan and China, for combat troops in Afghanistan.

Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada (expat UK)

People of the US appreciate the UKs troops in Afghanistan. If they are not equipped properly, that falls on Gordon Browns Govt. When American Troops arent equipped right, Senators and Congressman get called, things get fixed. Thanks UK, rest of Europe is to chicken to engage the Taliban/Al queda

Joel, Chicago, IL, United States of America

OI Gates!, who started this war in the first place? You'll be starting on us in Canada next.

arozzer, Toronto, Canada

I believe this is a criticism, not of our armed forces but of this government that leaves the troops with inadequate equipment and support.

R Harvey, Hitchin, uk

The American people love their British brothers for their willingness to join our battle. We only ask that you don't do it half-heartedly. If this war is to be won, we must not be divided as to our levels of comittment and strategy. The UK needs to put its ego aside and fight as a part of a team.

john purtell, gainesville,FL, United States of America

This reminds me of the spat between Montgomery and Patton during WWII.Let's not forget that the UK & US have been through far more serious wars than Afganistan. We have a long history of standing together. The relationship preceeds NATO by a long shot.
Let's take a moment and say THANKS!

Robert, Charlotte, US

man for man the british armed forces are the best in the world, the only problem is we dont have enough men in the armed forces. if we are going to fight 2 wars at once, surely it is only prudent to fund out armed forces comensurately? why dont we have helicopters and harriers out there in numbers?

will, grimsby, uk

“It would be fair to say that in 2006 the British Army was defeated in the field in southern Iraq.”
A very interesting quote !
Completely untrue...

paul, london, uk

I would point out that the criticism leveled is not directed at the British soldiers on the ground,who are as tough,dedicated and brave as their American counterparts,rather it has to do with the resources allocated for the task.Where are the other countries of NATO,where's their much needed help?

Ian, Austin TX, USA

As an American, I offer my personal apology for any criticism of the British contribution to the effort. For the loss of even one British life is proof enough.
Thanks would be appropriate, any thing else is uncalled for.

Ron Crocker, Tyler, TX, US

We are not giving our armed forces, by that I mean the young men on the front line, enough support or thanks for the job that they are doing in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Why are we neglecting to mention these people every day of the week, as they did in the 2nd world war ??????

John, Woking, Surrey