Battle of Celaya

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Mexican Revolution
Celaya-Casas Grandes-1st Rellano-2nd Rellano-Tierra Blanca-Torreon-Leon-Agua Prieta-Zacatecas-Carrizal

The Battle of Celaya, which occurred on 13 April 1915, was the single bloodiest battle of the Mexican Revolution. The Conventionist forces under Pancho Villa were badly defeated by forces under the command of Álvaro Obregón, who supported the presidency of Venustiano Carranza. Villa lost around 4,000 men killed in frontal attacks. He also lost 1,000 horses, 5,000 rifles, and 32 cannons. Approximately 6,000 of his men were taken prisoner. Of those captured, 120 of Villa's officers were executed.

In this battle, Obregón developed a defense "in depth" that proved very effective against the offense-heavy cavalry charges and artillery techniques used at that time, and was based on his study of the trench conflict (World War I) then raging in Europe. Although Obregón's lines weakened at times, he had sufficient reserves to bolster it at any point.

Villa had committed all his men to the attack. He was unable to exploit any area of weakness or to protect his flanks which were enveloped by Obregón's calvary.

The battle was a turning point in the future of Villa, the Revolution and Mexican history in the 20th century.

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• Gary Brecher on the Battle of Celaya as the decisive rout of a 19th century force (Villa) by a 20th century force (Obregón).