En bedömning av den strategiska situationen kan hittas i Oavslutade Tales, Del tre, Kapitel V "Isens Försvar".
Erövringen av Rohan av Saruman saktade efter att Théodred hade blivit slagen och således var det första målet avslutat. Denna fördröjning kan betraktas som ett misstag och kan ha förhindrat infångningen av Edoras. (Observera att denna aspekt delvis liknar Dunkirks berömda stopp i maj 1940.)
It was clearly seen in Rohan, when the true accounts of the battles at the Fords were known, that Saruman had given special orders that Théodred should at all costs be slain. At the first battle all his fiercest warriors were engaged in reckless assaults upon Théodred and his guard, disregarding other events of the battle, which might otherwise have resulted in a much more damaging defeat for the Rohirrim. When Théodred was at last slain Saruman’s commander (no doubt under orders) seemed satisfied for the time being, and Saruman made the mistake, fatal as it proved, of not immediately throwing in more forces and proceeding at once to a massive invasion of Westfold; though the valour of Grimbold and Elfhelm contributed to his delay. If the invasion of Westfold had begun five days earlier, there can be little doubt that the reinforcements from Edoras would never have come near Helm’s Deep, but would have been surrounded and overwhelmed in the open plain; if indeed Edoras had not itself been attacked and captured before the arrival of Gandalf.
Unfinished Tales, Part Three, Chapter V, 461
I princip kunde Sarumans armé ha gått igenom Helm's Deeps fästning. Omvägen skulle dock ha utsatt det långsamma Orc-infanteriet i arméns huvudkropp liksom dess långa utbud av tillgång och kommunikation från Isengard till kavalleriflankattacker av Riders of Rohan från Helm's Deep.
Erkenbrand did not at once himself proceed to the battlefield. All was in confusion. He did not know what forces he could muster in haste; nor could he yet estimate the losses that Théodred’s troops had actually suffered. He judged rightly that invasion was imminent, but that Saruman would not dare to pass on eastward to attack Edoras while the fortress of the Hornburg was unreduced, if it was manned and well stored. (…)
Unfinished Tales, Part Three, Chapter V, 466
I stället attackerade Saruman i full kraft vid Helm's Deep för att avaktivera fiendens väpnade styrkor och ledarskap.
‘With the help of Shadowfax – and others,’ said Gandalf. ‘I rode fast and far. But here beside the mound I will say this for your comfort: many fell in the battles of the Fords, but fewer than rumour made them. More were scattered than were slain; I gathered together all that I could find. Some men I sent with Grimbold of Westfold to join Erkenbrand. Some I set to make this burial. They have now followed your marshal, Elfhelm. I sent him with many Riders to Edoras. Saruman I knew had despatched his full strength against you, and his servants had turned aside from all other errands and gone to Helm’s Deep: the lands seemed empty of enemies; yet I feared that wolf-riders and plunderers might ride nonetheless to Meduseld, while it was undefended. But now I think you need not fear: you will find your house to welcome your return.’
The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, Book Three, Chapter VIII
Karta tagen från Karen Wynn Fonstad Atlas of Middle- jord , reviderad utgåva
Anmärkningsvärt är olika aspekter av Sarumans kampanj i överensstämmelse med den läroboksstrategi som var vanligt fram till första världskriget, vilket förklaras väl i det kända arbetet On War av Carl von Clausewitz. I synnerhet när det gäller det politiska målet om krig, skilde Clausewitz två stora typer:
War can be of two kinds, in the sense that either the objective is to overthrow the enemy – to render him politically helpless or militarily impotent, thus forcing him to sign whatever peace we please; or merely to occupy some of his frontier-districts so that we can annex them or use them for bargaining at the peace negotiation.
Självklart valde Saruman det första strategiska alternativet, vilket också verkar vara bättre överens med sina långsiktiga planer.