Battle Report: 14th December 1993 Mexican Juarista  ~vs~ Prussian (Robert Avery ~vs~ Nog Norgren)

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Mexican Juarista Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points CinC 1 100 Infantry 2inC 1         50 Brigade Zapadores 30 6x5 LightsC mlr   360   Los Supremos Podres 30 6x5 RegC mlr   300   1st Battalion 30 6x5 MilC mlr   300   2nd Battalion 30 6x5 MilC mlr   300 Support 2inC 1         50 Brigade Dragoons 12 2x6 RegC s,mlc   176   Lancers 12 2x6 RegC s,l,p,mlc   200   1st Battery 3 3x1 RegC medium mlsb FA   285 Guerillos 2inC 1         50 Brigade 1st Foot 32 1x32 IrregC mlr   239   2nd Foot 32 1x32 IrregC mlr   239   3rd Foot 32 1x32 IrregC mlr   239   1st Horse 10 1x10 IrregC s,p,mlc   135   2nd Horse 10 1x10 IrregC s,p,mlc   135   3rd Horse 10 1x10 IrregC s,p,mlc   135 Train Ammo Wagon 1         50               3343

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Prussian Brigade Unit Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points   CinC 1         100   2inC 1         50 Infantry Guards 48 8x6 RegA blr   704 Brigade Jaegers 48 8x6 LightsB blr   704   Feldmutze 24 4x6 RegB blr   304 Cavalry Cuirassiers 24 4x6 RegA s,blc,p,armour   568 Brigade Uhlans 24 4x6 RegB s,blc,l,p   496 Artillery Battery A 3 3x1 RegA medium mlsb HA   390   Ammo Wagon 1         50               3366

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. Mexican Juarista Prussian Foot 4320 2400 Horse 1080 960 Guns 6 6

Report With neither side outscouting, the Mexicans and Prussians deployed simultaneously: with the Prussians forming a tightly packed block, horse artillery in the centre, cavalry on the wings. The Mexicans anchored a line of guerrillos on some hedged fields on the left flank;  while three units of regular infantry, supported by the regular cavalry, formed a column with which to hook round the left flank of the enemy. Both sides advanced strongly on the first turn, and a few casualties were caused by artillery fire. The Prussians reacted to the Mexican plans by quickly moving their artillery and most of their infantry to face the advancing hook. Both sides deployed for combat: with the Zapadores sprinting forward to skirmish with the deploying Prussian guns and cavalry, supported by the Los Supremos Podres forming line behind them. The 1st Battalion of Line Infantry moved further up the field to counter a line of Jaegers that were preparing to skirmish. At that moment, disaster struck for the Mexicans. As the Zapadores looked at the huge Prussian force facing them, they lost all heart and courage, and routed off the field without having taken a single casualty! The 1st Battalion of Line Infantry followed them: also eventually leaving the field permanently. With heavy fire being exchanged on his crumbling right flank, the Mexican CinC ordered a last-ditch, all-out charge by the Guerillos infantry into the Prussian Guard:  in line and awaiting with breechloaders. Incredibly, the Guerillos survived the Prussians’ opening volley but, unsurprisingly, lost the impact, were shaken, and then  routed by fire from the Prussian Cuirassiers. Meanwhile, the other half of the Prussian cavalry had chased the Mexican line cavalry from the field, although losing a squadron of Uhlans to artillery fire in the process. With many of his units routed or about to be routed, the Mexican commander ordered his men to run for their lives: although many would have been cut down by the Prussian cavalry as they fled. Casualties The Prussians lost 20 Guards, 108 Jaegers, 140 Cuirassiers, 15 Uhlans and 14 artillery crew: a total of 297. The Mexicans lost, before the slaughter, 435 guerillos, 72 lancers, 90 Zapadores (not enough, if you ask me!), and 60 line infantry. Total 657 men. Results A total victory for the Prussians. Analysis The battle would have been far more exciting if the Zapadores had not rolled “old snake eyes”, and routed right at the beginning of the battle: taking the unit of Line Infantry with them on another “double one”! If they had stayed, then there is the possibility that the Mexican right hook might have worked. Having said that, there was nothing wrong with Prussian strategy: and certainly their initial deployment allowed them to react rapidly to Mexican tactics. A victory for the Prussians: but a potentially exciting, neck-and-neck battle reduced to a walkover too early on.