Brigadier Alan Sharp made the comments in an academic report on Britain's influence on US foreign relations, The Daily Telegraph said.

The 46-year-old, who worked alongside the US military in Baghdad, said there was a "strong streak of Hollywood" among American officers.

He said an important part to being a success in the US army was the ability to combine the "real and acted heroics" of Audie Murphy, a World War II hero, and the "newsreel antics" of General Douglas MacArthur, famed by the post-war occupation of Japan, and the "movie performances" of Hollywood actors.

This may make good television back home, but Sharp said "loud voices, full body armour, wrap-around sunglasses, air strikes and daily broadcasts from shoulder-holster wearing brigadier generals proudly announcing how many Iraqis have been killed by US forces today" was no "hearts-and-minds winning tool".

Sharp was awarded a British honour and the American Bronze Star for writing the "coalition campaign plan" for Iraq during his Baghdad tour two years ago.

He is now commander of British forces in the Balkans, The Daily Telegraph said.

Sharp wrote his paper during a year-long course with other military personnel from around the world at the Royal College of Defence Studies.

The Daily Telegraph quoted the Ministry of Defence as saying Sharp's comments reflected his personal views.