Sir, I don't mean to start a pi$$ing contest here. True, you did catch the IA with their pants down.They were idiots to let that happen.
Every single officer of the IA who flat out was responsible for negligence should have been fired. That did not happen. Sad...
However when they did get rolling, it was ugly for the PA. Yes, the political failure was the capstone of it all, and embarassing in the world view.
However, the military position also became untenable over time.
It was essentially a failure at the end zone both militarily, and politically.
I will refrain from further comment so as not to inflame passions.
But that is my opinion.
My only question is - why did PA think this was possible?