Battle of Puebla

In the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 French were defeated by Mexican troops. The Battle of Puebla was the most important Mexican victory in the early days of the French intervention in Mexico and this day - Cinco de Mayo - is celebrated in Mexico every year.

The Mexican troops (about 4,000 soldiers) under the leadership of Mexican General Zaragoza was offset by 6,000 -strong troops of the French General Lorencez. The Mexican troops were also poorly armed, but was General Zaragoza a very experienced guerrilla fighters.

Historical context

1861 sent the French Emperor Napoleon III. his troops to Mexico. The official aim of the campaign was the collection of the debt of the Mexican Government. Napoleon III. but also intended to replace the Mexican constitutional government by the monarchy. Thus the French emperor hoped for an extension of the sphere of influence of France in Central and South America.

On December 8, 1861, French troops occupied the port of Veracruz. It soon turned out that the real aim of the campaign was not the collection of debts, but the control of Mexico.

The Battle

The road to Puebla was protected by Fort Loreto and Fort Guadalupe. General Zaragoza gave the order to set up the trenches along the way to Puebla and connect them by a moat the two forts together.

The location of the Mexicans was favored by the weather conditions: rain made ​​the ground muddy and prevented the French artillery on progress.

General Lorencez was convinced that Mexicans avoid the heavy battle and would quickly go on the run. Around lunch time he gave the order to attack. However, the Mexican troops were able to hold their ground and threw back the French troops. After regrouping, the French tried again to attack the Mexicans, however, were again thrown back on the same way.

The majority armed only with machetes, Mexican troops began under the leadership of Zacapoaxtla and the Mexican Indian Xochiapulco the counter-attack on the French. Porfirio Díaz (later Mexican President ) led the well-organized and disciplined troops of cavalry and attacked the flanks of the French. 16:30 clock the battle came to an end.

After nightfall the French troops were withdrawn and waited for two days for a new counter-offensive of the Mexicans. However, Zaragoza was aware that his troops would have no chance in the open field and gave the Frenchman is no way to use the defensive advantage.

However, another attack would not risk general Lorencez and therefore ordered his troops to withdraw and return to Orizaba.