i do agree with fireheart that it was a pretty awful set-up by the Federation. They probably weren't counting on them getting there when they did, but, still, one battle ship and its contingent going up against the Gundams is still underestimating them.

They didn't even have their best pilot (Soma) in a mobile suit, even though she's the only one there with past experience (and success) fighting the Gundams...

Of course, part of their ineffectiveness was because of the tsunami strategy that Sumeragi implemented. Those ground troops got waxed pretty badly. Also, the fact that they knew the Seravee would be among the Gundams, but had nothing to counter against it, when the damn thing was standing still, was pretty unacceptable. Sure, they were disrupted by Lyle sniping at them, but, still, the goddamn Seravee was just sitting there...