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Battle of Ambos Nogales
Part of Mexican Revolution World War I
Ambos Nogales
Date August 27, 1918 Location Nogales, Arizona Nogales, Sonora Result U.S. victory, cease fire arranged
Belligerents
United States	Mexico Germany
Commanders and leaders
Frederick J. Herman	unknown
Strength
estimate: 100–200 infantry and cavalry	unknown
Casualties and losses
U.S. Army: 3 KIA, 29 WIA American Militia/Civilians: 2 KIA, unknown WIA	Mexican Army: 30 to 129 KIA (disputed), unknown WIA Germany: 2 KIA, unknown WIA

The Battle of Ambos Nogales (lit. The Battle of Both Nogales), was an engagement fought on August 27, 1918. Between U.S. forces, stationed in Nogales, Arizona, a Mexican Federal garrison occupying Nogales, Sonora and a group of German military advisors.

Background

By 1918, the U.S. had declared war on Germany, thus entering World War I. The situation in Mexico had been terrible since the beginning of the revolution in 1910. While overseas fighting the Germans, U.S. forces still had an obligation to defend the United States' southern border. Throughout the Mexican Revolution U.S. forces garrisoned America's border towns, occasionally exchanging fire with Mexican rebels or federals. With the British interception of the Zimmerman Telegram in 1917, the United States knew well of Germany's attempt to bring Mexico into the war on the side of the Central Powers. In the beginning of 1918, the U.S. Intelligence Division in Southern Arizona began reporting that German agents were teaching the Mexican Army military procedures and building defences. A few days before the fighting began, an anonymous letter was received by Lt. Colonel Frederick J. Herman. The letter was from someone claiming to be an officer from Pancho Villa's army. In the message, the unknown Mexican warns the Lt. Colonel of the German espionage in and around Nogales, Sonora. The letter also warns of an attack which is to take place somewhere around the end of August.

Battle

On August 27 1918, a gun battle erupted unintentionally when a Mexican officer attempted to pass through the border, back to Mexico, without being interrogated at the U.S. Customs house. As the Mexican soldier passed the office, customs inspector Arthur G. Barber ordered "halt". The Mexican failed to halt so Inspector Barber ran after him with pistol in hand, followed by two enlisted men. Another Mexican officer, on the Mexican side of the border, witnessed the chase, drew his pistol and fired at the customs inspector. The shot missed Barber but hit one of the soldiers, killing him instantly. The other enlisted man then raised his weapon and fired, killing the hostile Mexican officer. After the initial shooting, reinforcements from both sides rushed to the border line. Hostilities quickly escalated, The U.S. 35th Infantry, garrison of Nogales, requested reinforcements, the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry, commanded by Frederick Herman. After observing the situation for a few moments, Lt. Colonel Herman ordered an attack on the Mexican and German held hilltops overlooking the bordertown. Under heavy fire, the U.S. infantry and dismounted cavalry advanced across the border through the buildings and streets of Nogales, Sonora and up the hills. Some armed Arizona citizens tagged along. Others stayed on the US side, firing their weapons from their house windows. After a couple hours of battle, the Mexicans waved a large white flag of surrender over their customs building. Lt. Colonel Herman observed and then ordered an immediate cease fire. Snipers on both sides continued shooting for a little while after the cease fire, but were eventually silenced upon orders from their superiors.

Aftermath

Because the battle began as a minor shooting and not as a full scale assault. The Mexicans and German advisors were defeated before they could launch their attack. Therefore the suspected invasion was stopped before it could begin. The U.S. Army suffered 3 dead and 29 wounded. Arizona militia/civilian casualties were 2 dead and several wounded. According to the U.S. Army, the graves for 129 were dug. However, rumors of Mexican casualties range from 30 to 129 dead. The bodies of 2 Germans were recovered, thus meaning 2 Germans were killed in action. Never again were there reports of Mexican troops massing on the Arizona border or German soldiers in the region. The fighting of World War I ended a few months later and a peace treaty was ratified in 1919. The main phase of the Mexican Revolution ended in 1920.

See also

• Mexican Revolution
• World War I
• Zimmerman Telegram
• Buffalo soldier
• 10th Cavalry Regiment (United States)
• 35th Infantry Division (United States)

Sources

• website
• Finley, James P. Huachuca Illustrated Vol. 2 Part 6, Buffalo Soldiers at Huachuca: The Battle of Ambos Nogales. Library of Congress 1996, ISBN 93-206790
• Wharfield, Harold B. Tenth Cavalry and Border Fights. publisher: author
• 10th Cavalry Squadron History

References

• History of Arizona
• Battles involving the United States
• Battles involving Mexico
• Military history of the United States during World War I
• Battles of World War I involving the United States
• Battles of World War I
• Battles of the Mexican Revolution