Lads,
there are several interpretations which can be placed on the situations you have described. I am not going to judge them as right or wrong and I am not dodging the issues.
Here are the main principles behind the thinking:
1. Armies of this period were really the beginnings of the modern armies. There was little or no standardisation of uniforms, equipment and training.
2. Some units could barely stay together in step (in fact I am not sure but I don't even think marching in step was a prerequisite).
3. As a consequence of the above I have not allowed
Inclining and have made
Wheeling as difficult as I possibly could - it is slow and painful because it would have been!
4. Having seen many cases of
a. Nippy battalion syndrome (reduced frontage units squeezing through gaps and generally getting into unfeasible positions due purely to their size)
b. Quick turns to face from line to column or column to line in half a move
I wanted to eliminate a & b. The former by not removing casualties until a unit is below half strength and the latter by insisting that any 'formation change' is dealt with in a FULL TURN OF MANOUEVRE ie a 'FORM' order.
All sorts of battlefield redressing would have been very difficult so both sides should be equally disadvantaged by this rule(unless you are GNW Swedes) .
In many respects the 90 degree turn is a bit of a redundant rule but is still necessary to prevent units being caught in the flank or rear(in this respect it prevents automatic routs by this kind of contact).
The 180 degree turn in line or in march column is ok as the men are turning in the same formation. I have a big problem with the 90 degree turn as it could be perceived as a gamey mechanism which I am dead against. If I had gone to this level of explanation in the rules then the book would probably have run to another 20 pages!
I have no problem with helping the debate and I am VERY VERY ENCOURAGED by the level of commitment and interest you lads in the North East are showing to the period and the rules.
So please, don;t stop asking or posting. I don't know that I can answer everything but in cases where I can't.. common sense should prevail. I have met you both and know you to be very nice chaps and not wargaming ranters so that reassures me that whatever you decide.. it'll be alright
Hope this helps.
B