They didn't, some sat on their butts telling everyone else what to do. They felt that they were of such importance that they shouldn't have too. The normies fought back the wrong way. They learned a very quick lesson. They had not anticipated the inability to grow food, they built shoddy shelters and did not have the proper clothing.
There were many factors involved. If you go visit the forts and historical places rebuilt, there is a lot of history not taught in schools.