Well, ofcourse if I have a noble train on each of my villages, which means I'm being gangbanged, then I won't stand a chance. Not even using Bonfire correctly. But your defense wouldn't do any better in that situation, no defense could.
They main point is attrition. Using Bonfire you are sure to lose less than your opponent, however you look at it. Using other items will also give you such a boost, but that boost is nowhere near the effectiveness of the Bonfire.
If you ask veteran players, with millions of points and alot of wars under their belt, then a 1:1 ratio of swords and archers isn't the best defense. It might be best in theory or on paper, but its not best in reality. The main reason is that most people will use LC heavy nukes. The second reason is that it takes alot longer to build.
Also, if you are faced with two choices of players to go up against. You know one has bonfire and builds catapults along with all the other troops, the other doesn't have bonfire. They are equally active and skilled. Their villages are essentially equal in build and points. Which one would you go after?