@Omegacalgar In terms of bombs dropped, the US dropped more tonnage of bombs than those in WWII. I'd say the US's mistake was propping up an unpopular southern government rather a military one.
A bunch of kids fought through a multi-day siege and barely survived. Some nobles laying around and drinking wine away from the frontlines walked right into battle and won without a fight. And these nobles are promised riches and status for doing nothing :/