Pass the canyon ...

[Jefgte]

Captain Francesco Marcona is going to pass the canyon with 90 armed riders (3 sections with 30 men) to escort 3 boxes of golden stones & 1 box with the Treasure of Cuzco.
I suppose that armed gringos or banditos are about 30 - 35.
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How did you organise the riders to have a best protection in the canyon?

or

How did you organise the attack to catch the boxes ?

[Tanthalas]

say they have 36 men (thats a Platoon)
How I would Handle it if I was planing the atack in Iraq right now (substitute weapons crates for the tresures

Place a Squad on either flank (aka make the mule train pass between them), i'd place all 3 SAWs at the exit point to the pass (or if its a realy long pass at the stop point in our ambush), then id use explosives to close the pass behind them, for the actual action phase of the ambush Officers and NCOs go first the SAWs would be to convince them going that direction is a bad idea (MGs in an enclosed enviroment like a pass are DEADLY).  The Key for the ambushers is cover, and rapid action they have their oponent in the open and as an outnumberd force they have to use shock and awe to their advantage.

if you have any other questions on small force actions feel free to ask ^.^

[The Rock Doctor]

Not that I have any direct experience of course, but since the Peruvians are aware of those blasted gringoes - and seem to recognize the threat of the canyon's geography - my course of action might be:

-Sneak some guys on to the top of the canyon the previous night, with orders to wait for the gringoes to reveal themselves before they start shooting at them.

-Leave the treasure behind, carefully concealed in the camp

-Send the rest of my force into the canyon with some empty boxes and instructions on how to respond to the expected ambush .

Failing that, the Captain could pray for a giant ethereal foot to come down and stomp the gringoes, but if I'm asleep at the time, he'll be out of luck.