AAR Liberation of Mexicali

Here's my first game trying out a new scenario, a new (or newly adjusted) set of rules, and a new conflict. The game lasted only a couple hours, involved very small forces and few casualties, and ended similarly to the historic event itself.

Using my Liberation of Mexicali scenario, I set up the Rurales at their predetermined positions. 3 small forces of PLMistas snuck into town. One group arrived from the southeast, heading toward the "Yellow House," where the subprefect lived.

Another crossed the canal from the southwest, heading toward the jailhouse, where their comrades were imprisoned.

The third group came from the northwest. Their mission was to capture the customs houses on the border.

The "Yellow House" group approached quietly and easily.

Surrounding the house, the rebels demanded the Subprefect accompany them to the jailhouse.

The Jailhouse raiders crept along the tree line for cover. As they came into range--which in the dark and snow-filled sky amounted to only 10", they fired at the lone guard outside the jail. The first shots of this battle missed, but the guard fled for his life, not stopping to warn his compatriots inside. The rebels surrounded the jailhouse.

The final group came down out of the mountains and snuck toward the center of the town. 

Two officers patrolled the streets, so they kept close the the town's buildings. 

One of the patrolmen, however, discovered them. He fired, killing one of the rebels, before falling himself in a hail of gunfire. The other patrolman ran toward the fire, but he was apprehended by the Magónistas.

Others burst into the larger customs building, capturing the two unsuspecting guards there. The two guards in the customs booth heard the commotion, and fled across the border. The customs complex was now in the rebel's hands.

Around this time, the Subprefect and his captors arrived at the prison.

Giving in to the anarchists' demands, he calls on the officers in the jailhouse to drop their weapons and come out in surrender.

The Rurales guarding the jailhouse come out peacefully.

Next, the rebels free the prisoners. Nine immediately join the revolution. 

Victorious in all three objectives, the PLMistas march their captives to the customs house. The action is not over, however. The shots have woken the few remaining Rurales, who had been sleeping in their homes. Shots ring out from two homes on the either side of the jailhouse, and two more rebels are dead.

Terrible outnumbered, the few resisters have no chance. The first falls in the streets.

The last remaining officer at arms drops one last insurgent, before the rebels storm his house.

Mexicali is now in the hands of the army of the Liberal Party of Mexico. 

In the end, the Rurales lost 4 dead, 3 fled across the border, and another 13 were captured, including the subprefect. The Insurgents lost 4 dead themselves, though they gained 9 recruits when they opened the prison. Mexicali could now serve as a rallying point for new recruits, and the comrades would soon build the Baja Division of the Liberal Army. See the bottom of the scenario for the historic outcome: Liberation of Mexicali

As far as the game was concerned, it was rather enjoyable, though incredibly quick. We'll see what happens to this young revolution in future scenarios, stay tuned!

After Action Reports - Mexican Revolution