Battle Report: 5th December 1997

Maximilian French ~vs~ Mexican Juarista

(Robert Avery ~vs~ Richard Avery)

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Maximilian French
Brigade

Unit

 Fig.'s Org. Class Weapons Pts/Fig Points
CinC Brig. Pierre Margot

1

 . .. .   100
2inC Col. M. Chevalier 1         50
Infantry 1ere Bttn 36 6x6 RegC mlr   384
  2ieme Bttn 36 6x6 RegC mlr   384
  Turcos 36 6x6 LightsB mlr   492
  Foreign Legion 36 6x6 RegB mlr   456
Cavalry Lancers 12 2x6 RegB s, l   200
  Cuirassiers 12 2x6 RegB s, armour   200
  Guides 12 2x6 RegA s, p   224
Artillery Battery A 1 1x1 RegB light mlsb FA   77
Convoy Stagecoach 1 1x1 RegC     18
  Gold Wagons 3 3x1 RegC     54
  Ammo Wagons 1 1x1 RegC     50
  Pack Animals 3 3x1 RegC     27
              2716
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Juarista Mexicans

Brigade

Unit

Fig.'s

Org.

Class

Weapons

Pts/Fig

Points

CinC

El Matadore

1

 

 

 

   100
2inC Gen Ig. Comomfort 1         50
Guerillos Red Flag 32 1x32 IrregC mlr   239
Force Blue Flag 32 1x32 IrregC mlr   239
  Yellow Flag 32 1x32 IrregC mlr   239
  Red Flag Horse 10 1x10 IrregC mlc   115
  Green Flag Horse 10 1x10 IrregC mlc   115
  Yellow Flag Horse 10 1x10 IrregC mlc   115
Republican Los Supremos Podres 30 6x5 RegC mlr   300
Troops 1st Bttn Saltillo 30 6x5 MilC mlr   300
  2nd Bttn Saltillo 30 6x5 MilC mlr   300
  3rd Bttn Saltillo 30 6x5 MilD mlr   180
  4th Bttn Saltillo 30 6x5 MilD mlr   180
  1st Holy Lancers 12 2x6 RegC s, l   176
  1st Divine Line 12 2x6 RegC s, mlc   176
.             2824
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. French Mexican
Foot 2880 4920
Horse 720 600
Guns 2 6
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BattleMap_05_12_97.jpg (130056 bytes)

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Report

This was a scenario game: with the French trying to get a vital convoy through hostile territory, and the Mexicans trying to stop them.

Both sides rushed their cavalry forward to clash near a ruined church. The French CinC ws confident that he could sweep the Mexican ragamuffins off the board, and was thus somewhat surprised when his elite Guides routed off the table!

However, he had also force-marched the Legion Etrangere down the road who, forming line, quickly saw off the victorious Mexican lancers.

This, however, left the Legion Etrangere dangerously exposed: a situation the Mexican commander exploited as he charged them with 5 (yes, five!) different units. Although they withstood two charges in square, the third was too much and, doubtlessly dishonouring their fallen comrades at Camerone, they fled!

A firefight then developed with the 3ieme Bttn of the French routing, but two Mexican battalions going as well.

Unfortunately, the battle had to end there, with nightfall, and both sides retreated. 

Casualties

The French CinC was killed in a spectacular fashion, with his 2inC being lightly wounded.

The French also lost 240 cavalry (the Guides); 340 line infantry; and a few Legionaires.

The Mexicans lost 400 guerillos infantry (mostly to artillery); the 1st Saltillo Battalion was wiped out; and the third took 440 casualties: making a total of 1440 infantry. They also lost the Lancers and 20 line cavalry.

Results

Under the victory conditions set: a win to the Mexicans, with 45 points to the French 20. 

Analysis

We’ll play it again!

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