Do you bother to read? The U.S. bypassed southern Iraqi towns and were also prepared to wait outside Baghdad. The commanders in the field sensed the opportunity was there and moved in. The Brits did an excellent job of handling Basra, their assigned target and the second largest city in Iraq.
Ivan, ignore any Brit bashing on this thread. Considering the major contributions by our stauch British allies ever since 9/ll, it's embarrassing.