Hernán Cortez army in 20mm for Impetus rules

 

Hernán Cortés did not organize his professional troops into a formal Spanish tercio formation. Instead, he utilized combined arms tactics tailored to the local environment and enemy, focusing on maintaining unit cohesion, leveraging superior Spanish weaponry (cavalry and firearms), and effectively integrating tens of thousands of indigenous allies. All figures are Revell and are the content of a full box of Conquistadores.

If you want you can see the Aztecs here: 

http://jpwargamingplace.blogspot.com/2025/11/hernan-cortez-army-in-20mm-for-impetus.html

Hernán Cortez figure in the Revell box is standing on foot but I have a second box of Revell Conquistadores from were the Cortez figure will be converted to mount a horse as well as the flag bearer. This flag here was given to Cortez by Charles V when he returned to Spain. The one Cortez used in Mexico has a red ground with the virgin Mary and that will be made from the second box.

 Arquebusiers and Crossbowmen  ranged units provided deadly, unnervingfire support that could break up massed Aztec attacks, particularly effective in open fields and on the narrow causeways. The mention of pikes in sources suggests their presence, likely to repel potential charges and maintain formation integrity, but they were not used in the massive "push of pike" associated with later tercios.

Rodeleros (Sword-and-Buckler Men) constituted the bulk of the Spanish infantry, using steel swords and armor, which were vastly superior to Aztec obsidian-edged weapons. They held the lines and engaged in hand-to-hand combat, relying on their steel protection and disciplined formations to withstand the Aztec onslaught. 

Artesanía Latina canons are too big as Cortez used 14 smaller guns. The crew are Esci conversions from Aircraft ground crew boxes. 

At Otumba, on the  July 7th 1520, the small contingent of about 13-20 remaining horsemen (from 100 that Cortez managed at a certain point) were the key "shock troops". They were held in reserve or positioned to make rapid, repeated charges into the dense Aztec ranks, which were unaccustomed to cavalry, always looking after the colorful leaders. The open plain of Otumba was ideal terrain for cavalry action. Eventually some Spanish Mastiffs and Wolfhounds were still there and provided a massive psychological and tactical advantage over the indigenous populations who had never encountered such large, aggressive dogs.

Next: Vercors 1944