The Road to Tierra Blanca
November 23rd 1913
After the fall of Ciudad Juarez the next major obstacle to Villa`s forces was Tierra Blanca which is thirty kilometers from Chihuahua City.
The Federal forces commanded by Pascual Orozco & Jose Inez Salazar tried to form a fan of defensive positions outside Tierra Blanca in order to prevent Villa`s forces from organising their assault.
In practice this actually worked against the Federals as the mobility and speed of Villa`s forces often created isolated little actions, which the Federals couldn`t support or reinforce allowing the Villistas to destroy them piecemeal.
Pueblo Monteo
Federal Colonel Francisco Diez has been given command of the defence of Pueblo Monteo. The Colonel has a low opinion of “that bandit Villa” and wants to destroy the myth. He commands a mixed force of infantry backed with a few guns.
The table
Col. Diez`s force
The entire force
Infantry companies
Machine gun and Vickers 1pdr pom-pom
105mm howitzer
75mm
Col. Diez and staff
Villa`s force
Cavalry and infantry
Cavalry
Infantry
Chicas del Muerta
Yaqui
Artillery & command
Villa and his staff
Light battery – 37mm Hotchkiss pom-pom & Hotchkiss 37mm revolving cannon
70mm battery
75mm
Federal deployment saw Col. Diez place half his infantry across the river, the company command centred on the ruined hacienda, the companies commander spread his platoons out either side of the road dug-in either in trenches or behind the stone walls along with the Vickers pom-pom. A platoon from second company was placed further back on the river bank to act as a reserve. The rest of his command occupied the pueblo, his two larger field pieces were placed in such a way as to support the 1st company by direct fire (be it at long range). Last off one platoon was placed on the far right in case of a flanking move.
Villa decided to attack head-on with infantry supported by his guns, the advancing infantry will be accompanied by the Colt Machin gun and Hotchkiss pom-pom which will travel down the road to keep up with the infantry. His cavalry accompanied by the Hotchkiss revolving cannon will make a dash around the left side of the table once the infantry have engaged the Federals. A nasty surprise for the Federals comes on turn 10 when Villa`s vicious Yaqui scouts arrive at the river entering the table from the Federal left!
Initial disposition of Villa`s troops
The first couple of turns saw Villa`s guns pound the Hacienda causing casualties among the Federals! Some excellent long range shooting by the Federals caused casualties among Villa`s troops too.
Villa`s cavalry arrive on table turn 5 as his infantry fight to clear the Federal line
Villa orders the Machine gun and Hotchkiss pom-pom to move forward to support his infantry
Turn 6 saw Villa`s infantry start a protracted battle for the hacienda
Also an excellent long shot (12 on double D6) saw Villa`s 75mm destroy the Federal one!
Turns 7 & 8 sees the general advance continue (except for those battling Hacienda garrison) the Federal 105mm howitzer inflicted quite a few casualties, but all of the Federals south of the river were killed or captured during these turns. Villa`s cavalry continue their drive towards the Federal right.
Turn 9 the Colt machine goes into action against the last defenders of the hacienda
Turn 10 sees the Yaqui appear on the Federal left
Turns 11 & 12 sees the Yaqui wipe out a Federal squad and the Hacienda defenders surrender after the officer is killed!
Turn 13, The Hotchkiss pom-pom engages the 105mm over open sights, but is destroyed! Villa`s 70mm battery has moved and now targets the buildings across the bridge!
Turn 14 saw several units of villa`s infantry cross the river, his cavalry were now engaged on the Federal right and the Yaqui were slaughtering every Federal they could find over on the left.
Turn 15 Diez is in trouble he sends runners to gather his reserves from the back of the village, his own security platoon is exchanging fire with the Yaqui! The valiant 105mm takes a direct hit, though to be honest Villa`s lead infantry would have been on it next turn.
Turn 16 sees more Federal casualties, Villa`s cavalry have broken through on the right, both Yaqui and Villa`s infantry are moving against the pueblo. Diez`s morale cracks and he leaps into his automobile and flees leaving his men to their fate……..
Great looking game Richard- loved the pictures.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Pete.
Cheers Pete, the scenario played out as designed which was a bonus :)
DeleteThe time and love you placed on this miniatures shows from far. Great looking game. I'm just sorry for having no time for such a period as it really looks challenging.
ReplyDeleteVery kind, though my painting and modeling isn`t as good as yours :) Maybe back to WW2 for the next game??
DeleteAlways interesting! Your Mexican collection is really impressive.Cool Stuff.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I have about 50 Federal/Colorado mounted in addition to what was involved here plus some Army cadets, Presidential Guard and rurales, none of which were suitable for this battle.
DeleteLooks like a great game! I'm glad to see a resounding victory for the División del Norte
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteFrankly it cold have gone either way :)
Hello. Looks a great game and I am just getting interested in this period. What rules do you use?
ReplyDeleteThanks Simon
Thank you, It is an absorbing period with lots of colour and interesting technologies being used in their infancy - aircraft, machine guns, some armoured vehicles, but still mainly cavalry and infantry. We use a time served version of Charles Grant`s old "Battle" rules from the 1960s, my rules of choice for most periods 1890 - 1960 :)
DeleteThanks. I have the Osprey on order and need to start painting my Jacklex figures!
ReplyDeleteSimon
The Osprey is a good starting point it will give you a good idea about painting colours. I now have about 15 books on Mexico from 1908 to the 1920s - I can be a bit obsessive :) Jacklex are great, I have quiet a few among my collection alongside Raventhorpe and others :)
DeleteCan you still get Raventhorpe? I can't find their website although I have to admit being one of the dozen or so people in the world not on Facebook! Also, what colour do you recommend for US troop? I have seen everything from lurid green to pale khaki. I like Fistful of Lead for skirmish games and got the Mexican Revolution supplement.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Simon
Tony came back in double quick time - anthonyraven1@hotmail.co.uk
DeleteIf you ask he`ll send you lists and accepts Paypal for orders
Yes Raventhorpe are still available, they do have an active FB page, I`ve asked Tony for his email address and will pass it on once he replies. In fact I have some of his Mexicans awaiting painting - I`ll get there eventually :) For Pershing`s Expedition troops I`ve used US olive, there must be photos on here somewhere check under the Mexican Revolution heading. I have that Fistful of Lead supplement, pretty good too.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteNo problem
DeleteCoincidentally my back copy of Miniature Wargames magazine #333 arrived yesterday with your excellent article in it.
ReplyDeleteSimon
Ah Pershing`s Expedition - I had a good relationship with editors of MW back then, they wanted interesting and different stuff. Today they want glossy images and articles based around popular rule-sets - "nothing too dry or historical"!! So I`ve just given up submitting stuff :)
DeleteYes it is interesting that whenever I go through my back copies I realise that, if I had to choose, it would be the older ones that would be kept!
ReplyDeleteNow seeing if any of the plastic Boer ranges might do for the Mex Rev!
Mixed in among my forces are - ACW confederates, Airfix US cavalry (I swopped out sabres for rifles/pistols), SCW odd`n ends (again some head-swaps) & Australian WW1 mounted infantry. Basically anything and everything :) Check out Shellhole Scenics (who do excellent Yaqui indians) and Early War Miniatures who have some great Yanks for Pershing`s Expedition including motor bikes :)
Delete