YaATW2KT: The Second Mexican-American War

[Olefin]

And that is why they brought Soviet Division Cuba along for the ride - i.e. to have people who had the tanks and the ability to take out M1A1 tanks

also keep in mind that they most likely used the terrain to their advantage when it came time to take on US tanks (i.e. avoided fighting any kind of long or mid-range fight where their guns had zero chance of doing anything) - much like the US did when they took on superior tanks in WWII - and they may have fought M1 tanks using infantry tactics if the US actually sent tanks into the cities or built up areas (i.e. took a page out of the Russian Stalingrad book on fighting tanks)

one reason I am highly doubting, in my opinion, they had MBT's in any numbers at all is the description of two battles in the canon - the one in Texas where a bunch of military cadets held off the Mexican Army for three days and finally had to be beaten by massed artillery - and the stand of the School Brigade at El Paso (which was armed basically with anti-air weapons and not anti-tank) which eventually only retreated because they were about to be enveloped

either of those stands make good sense against light armored vehicles

but MBT's would have made short work of either force (definitely the military cadets and most likely the School Brigade as well)

That makes me lean to either them depending on Soviet Division Cuba (which wasnt in either battle) or a possible small silver bullet force that they would only use after all else failed and after US tanks numbers had been degraded as much as possible beforehand instead of attempting to engage in tank on tank battles first

[Olefin]

FYI has anyone else read Trial By Fire - Harold Coyle's book about a US Mexico war?

[RN7]

Originally Posted by Olefin

And that is why they brought Soviet Division Cuba along for the ride - i.e. to have people who had the tanks and the ability to take out M1A1 tankst

What type of tanks and ATGM's was Soviet Division Cuba using? A T-72 tank with a 125mm gun cannot defeat the frontal armour of an any M1 Abrams, even with an armor piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot with depleted uranium round. Only the very latest Soviet anti-tank missiles would even damage yet alone defeat an M1A1.

[Rainbow Six]

Originally Posted by RN7

This is the problem with the AMX-13. Its not a tank, and it could be defeated by even a heavy machine gun.

I think that's a point in its favour in this particular scenario where we're looking for something that's not overpowered and that the Mexicans might plausibly have bought.

Originally Posted by Olefin

FYI has anyone else read Trial By Fire - Harold Coyle's book about a US Mexico war?

Yes, but it was a long, long time ago so I don't really remember any of the details.

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by Rainbow Six

Yes, but it was a long, long time ago so I don't really remember any of the details.

If I remember correctly, didn't the author use a Nicaraguan armor brigade equipped with T-72s?

[Olefin]

Originally Posted by RN7

What type of tanks and ATGM's was Soviet Division Cuba using? A T-72 tank with a 125mm gun cannot defeat the frontal armour of an any M1 Abrams, even with an armor piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot with depleted uranium round. Only the very latest Soviet anti-tank missiles would even damage yet alone defeat an M1A1.

Per the canon they had T-72's (Red Star Lone Star) - but if I remember right the 49th wasnt an all M1 unit - again have to look at my US Army Vehicle Guide when I get home (unless you have one handy)

[RN7]

Originally Posted by Olefin

Per the canon they had T-72's (Red Star Lone Star) - but if I remember right the 49th wasnt an all M1 unit - again have to look at my US Army Vehicle Guide when I get home (unless you have one handy)

Both 1st and 2nd edition has the 49th armored division with five tank battalions (2 M1A1, 2 M1 and 1 M60A3). The orbat for 2000 has them with 1 M1A1, 8 M1, 4 M60A3, 7 Stingray and 3 LAV-75.