Xlapanticl

The Battle of Xlapanticl
A Fictional Scenario for ‘Principles of War’

Introduction

This scenario is set during the French intervention in Mexico during the 1860s. It involves a small French force trying to seize a ridgeline controlling a strategic road, the ridgeline being defended by a large but poorly equipped Republican Mexican force.

The game is based on Scenario 15 of Charles S. Grant’s ‘Scenarios For Wargamers’, published by the Wargames Research Group. This book is out of print, but highly recommended. To show how easily the scenarios in this book can be adapted, have a look at the version of this one by Steve Burt. It's the same battle, but set in the ancient world, using DBM.

Forces Involved

The two forces are described below. The French player may divide units 1-8 up between the CinC and Officers 1 and 2 as they see fit. Other troop assignments for both sides are fixed. The scenario uses variable troop strengths.

French

	CinC		Good
	Officer 1	Average
	Officer 2	Average
1	Medium Battery		SB	6
2	Medium Battery		SB	6
3	Legion Infantry		MLR	6
4	Chasseurs		MLR	6
5	Line Infantry		MLR	6
6	Line Infantry		MLR	6
7	Line Infantry		MLR	6
8	Cavalry			MW	6

	Mexican Ally	Average
9	Mexican Line		MLR	4
10	Mexican Line		MLR	4
11	Mexican Line		MLR	4
12	Mexican Line		MLR	4
13	Mexican Cavalry		MW	6

Chasseurs are Light Infantry trained
Chasseurs and Legion Infantry are Steadfast 

Juaristas

	CinC		Poor
1	Lancers			La/MW	4

	Officer 1	Poor
2	Line Infantry		MLR	6
3	Line Infantry		MLR	6
4	State Militia		SB	4
5	State Militia		SB	4
6	State Militia		SB	4
7	Lancers			La/MW	4
8	Medium Artillery	SB	4

	Officer 2	Average
9	Line Infantry		MLR	6
10	Line Infantry		MLR	6
11	State Militia		SB	4
12	State Militia		SB	4
13	State Militia		SB	4
14	Medium Artillery	SB	4

	Officer	3	Poor
15	Line Infantry		MLR	6
16	Line Infantry		MLR	6
17	State Militia		SB	4
18	State Militia		SB	4
19	State Militia		SB	4
20	State Militia		SB	4
21	State Militia		SB	4

All line infantry and State Militia are Poor Shots

(representing their lack of ammunition and good weapons rather than any lack of skill)

The Table

   <-12"-->               -------> N
 +--------+--------+--------+--------+
 |                           ~~~~%%%o|
 |                           ~~~~%o%%| Xlapanticl
 |          sssss            ~~~o%%%%|
 |         s     ss          ~o~~~~~~|
 +          s      s        o~~~~~~~~+
 |           s     s      o          |
 |o           sssss     o            |
 |  o                 o              |
 |    o             o                |
 +       o    %%  o                  +
 |         o %%%o**                  |
 |            o*****                 |
 |            o*****                 |
 |            o***              ^^^  |
 +            o                ^^^^  +
 |sssssssssss o sssssss      ^^^^^^  |
 |^^^^^^^^^^^sos^^^^^^^s    ^^^^^^   |
 |^^^^^^^^^^^^sos^^^^^^s    ^^^^     |
 |ssssssssssss o ssssss              |
 +             o                     +
 |*            o                     |
 |***           o                    |
 |***           o                    |
 |***           o             ***    |
 +*             o            *****   +
 |               o           *****   |
x| x x x x x x x o x x x x x x*x*x x |x
 |                o           ***    |
 |                o                  |
 +--------+--------+--------+--------+

s - Hill Slope
^ - Rocky Ground
* - Brush
% - Buildings
~ - Cultivated Land
o - Road
x - French Start Line

The scenario is played across the long axis of a 6’x4’ table. Terrain should be set out as shown on the map, and has the following effects:

Scrub - Roll for this terrain. Each of the three areas is tested for separately.

Rocky Ground - Foot speed 2, other 3, Cover 1

Fields - All units Speed 2

Buildings - All units Speed 2, Cover 1

Note that the Rocky Ground on the ridge makes it a Rocky Hill, so the French Light Infantry cannot ignore the movement penalties in it.

Set-up

Both sides have one movement base per officer, including the CinC, but do not roll for extra bases. The Republicans deploy first. The base for Officer 1 is placed, deployed, on the ridge. The other bases are deployed in the town of Xlapanticl. If they are in March Column they may be deployed partially or wholly off-table, but must enter by the road. The French then deploy their bases within 6" of the eastern edge of the table. They may use any formations. Both sides then write orders for their commands. The Republican command on the ridge automatically has ‘Hold The Ridge’ orders at the start of the game though. The game starts with the French Officer Initiative phase.

Victory

At the end of 12 moves, the side that controls the ridge wins. If it is still disputed then the game is a draw.

To email the author Alan Saunders of this scenario please click here.

This article has been taken with the permission of the author from the following website.

http://www.btinternet.com/~alan.catherine/wargames/index.htm

24th August 1999