US in the war

[martin goddard]

Just a few thoughts on the US involvement in the mexrev.
I am doing this so that the idea of the war being rebels versus government versus US does not take hold.
It is not a 3 way war.
Otherwise there might be undue pressure from those keen to get a battle winning US army built.?
The US plays a bigger part politically than battle wise.


The US border plays a big and important part in the mexrev.
The border often runs down the middle of towns or along the edge of a town. Some of this is due to changing borders over previous decades and times.

This means that the Mexicans had to be careful to not shoot into the US. They frequently did however.
The US was always willing to intervene. US troops were often 50 yards on the US side of the border.
Defeated forces at border battle would sometimes march into the US in order to surrender to the US instead of their Mexrev enemies.
Mexrev armies often had to plan an attack so that the shooting would go parallel to the border and not across it.

The US did allow some units to cut across US  land in order to reinforce mexrev forces pinned against the border.
At one battle the commander delayed the start in the hope that the ammunition he had bought would get through US customs some 500 yards away.  The US refused the goods permission to cross. Bad news for the waiting general.
The biggest US intervention was the occupation of Vera Cruz. Not a battle as such but significant. Mexican militia and other odd units opposed US Seamen and marines. Plenty of sniping. The US later withdrew.
There were no major battles between mexrev armies and US army.
Columbus (just inside US) was a raid into the US by Pancho Villa. Pancho was very upset with the US over their perceived actions toward him. He had been a darling of the US media. This was in his military decline and he got beaten by the US.
After this (Columbus)the US sent General Pershing (Patton was there as a junior officer too) into Mexico to effectively chase Villa around for a bit. They got close but no battles. Some skirmishes though.

This is  partial reason for not including US or SAS in the first release of mexrev.
It is a Mexican war. 
That is going to be a very hard sell I think?

martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

Thank you Martin - that has cleared up some confusion for me, at least!

Simon

[Nick]

I don't know about a hard sell Martin. Personally, I'm not bothered about U.S. troops, as you say they are only a minor part of the entire conflict. Plenty of fun to be had with all the Mexicans, like the battle you posted about in the other topic.

Nick

[martin goddard]

As I sit here it brings to mind those two chaps in the Airfix WW1 set . They are skipping along with an ammo box. That figure set is  ideal for the US in the mexrev. The hats and kit are correct.  The MG is good too.


martin

[John Watson]

Perhaps the US army could be used as a game mechanic, if there are to be new rules or a Mexrev supplement to SB etc.
John

[martin goddard]

We can make the US the bogeyman. That might not go down well?


martin

[Colonel Kilgore]

Do you mean, a bit like having a Trump card within the game?

Simon

[Antioch (Bob)]

Well before the Columbus raid I think Villia was thought of as a friendly under dog..... after I don't think they have ever forgiven him.

Seems both sides had strong feelings about events before & after

Even today I would bet. Kind of like a pearl harbour sort of thing I would hazard.... but much to my surprise ...Colombus has a "Pancho Villia state park" today...so who knows.

Edit: I should add that I too am mostly interested in the non US forces there as well.

Bob

[sjwalker51]

I'm with Nick in this - Pershing etc not a particular interest for me - maybe release the figures when/if a period-specific rulebook is published? Consider including a couple of 'what if' scenarios that assume greater US involvement - and don't forget the potential for including German 'advisors' as well!

[shedman]

forget the potential for including German 'advisors' as well!

And the Japanese according to the Zimmermann Telegram

[Nick]

forget the potential for including German 'advisors' as well!

And the Japanese according to the Zimmermann Telegram

Someone please tell me the Mexicans were considering a purchase of a couple of Lanchester armoured cars!!!


Nick

[Mike6t3]

Would any possible future US figures be useable for one or more of the Banana Wars ? Hence scope for another range/period.
Purely a speculative question and not a commitment to buy in to it 

[martin goddard]

Nick

The Mexicans would have been silly not to buy Lanchesters. Therefore case proved. Say max 12?

Yes Mike they could be used in Philippines etc. They will have those Montana hats and all in fetching khaki


martin