Battle Report: 29th August 1993 Mexican Juarista  ~vs~  Late Russian (Robert Avery ~vs~ Rupert Avery)

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Mexican Juarista Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points CinC 1 100 Regular Zapadores 30 6x5 LightsC mlr 300 Infantry 1st Battalion 30 6x5 MilitiaC mlr 300 2nd Battalion 30 6x5 MilitiaC mlr 300 3rd Battalion 30 6x5 MilitiaD mlr 240 Irregular Guerillos 1 32 1x32 IrregC mlr   239 Infantry Guerillos 2 32 1x32 IrregC mlr   239 Guerillos 3 32 1x32 IrregC mlr   239 Irregular Guerillos 1 10 1x10 IrregC s,mlc   115 Cavalry Guerillos 2 10 1x10 IrregC s,mlc   115   Guerillos 3 10 1x10 IrregC s,mlc   115 Artillery Battery A 2 2x1 RegC light mlsb FA 178 Ammo Wagon 1 50 2530

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Later Russian Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points   CinC 1         100 1st Moscva 1st Battalion 48 4x12 RegC mlr*   472   2nd Battalion 48 4x12 RegB mlr*   520   3rd Battalion 48 4x12 RegD mlr*   424   4th Battalion 48 4x12 RegD mlr*   424 Cavalry Hussars 24 4x6 RegC s,p   476 Artillery Battery A 2 2x1 RegC light mlrb* FA   178   Ammo Wagon 1         50               2544

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. Mexican Juarista Later Russian Foot 4320 3840 Horse 600 480 Guns 4 4

Report There were two main actions in this exciting and well-gamed battle: one on the left flank, one on the right flank, with a holding action in the centre by both sides main infantry forces. The artillery on both sides spent the entire battle in counter-battery fire: largely ineffective! As battle opened, the Mexicans advanced strongly on both flanks. On their right flank, a small force of cavalry, one section of guns and a company of Zapadores was dispersed when the Russian guns ko’d the artillery! Meanwhile, half the Zapadores skirmishers, followed by a battalion of line infantry had quickly advanced and taken the village that dominated the field’s left side. They began a firefight with the Russian heavy infantry (2nd Battalion Line). The firefight continued, with the Zapadores skirmishers taking advantage of the stone wall surrounding the village as cover, and the Russians taking advantage of their breechloaders to lie prone. Eventually the Zapadores were forced to retreat: their place being taken by the line infantry that had been supporting them. At this moment, the Mexican CinC received a light wound, and had to be evacuated to the ammo wagon, where he stayed for the rest of the game. Seeing their advance on the left beginning to peter out, the Mexicans decided to launch all their irregular guerillos infantry against the Russian 1st Battalion on the right. All three guerillos units charged into the Russians, who panicked, fired too high and too fast: going out of ammo as the pitchfork-wielding peasants charged home. The Russians fell back, with the Mexicans following up into a furious melee that left many casualties on both sides before the Russians broke and ran. The Mexican guerillos were now in a superb position: admittedly disordered, but ready to charge the shaken Russian artillery and then into the rest of the Russian infantry. Suddenly, as they prepared to charge, the thunder of horses hooves were heard from their flank as two squadrons of Hussars (240 men) crashed into the side of about 2000 guerillos. Unable to take this, the guerillos turned and ran, with the Hussars hacking through the milling peasants to reach their own infantry line. Although the Mexican guerillos reformed, the momentum of the attack was totally lost: and with the Russian breechloaders forcing the village-holding line infantry to retreat, and the rest of the Russian line beginning to advance, the Mexican commander, from his sick bed, has no choice but to order a retreat. Casualties The Russians lost 117 heavy infantry; 120 from the 1st Battalion; and about 68 from the 4th Battalion. Total 305 men. The Mexicans lost one section of artillery; 97 Zapadores; 298 from the line infantry; 333 guerillos and 38 cavalry. Total 846 men. Results A well-fought win for the Russians. Analysis The Russians commander played the battle extremely well: neatly counteracting the Mexican flank attacks and surviving the out-of-ammo loss of one battalion very well. He also took full advantage of the benefits of his breechloaders: although this merely contributed to his success, not caused it. The Mexican commander should have abandoned his left flank attack earlier, and concentrated everything on the centre and right. He also failed to follow up on the success of his guerillos: mainly because he was so surprised that it succeeded! In all, a very enjoyable battle, with the Mexicans coming within an inch of victory, and then seeing it crumble away with the routing of the guerillos.