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Cavalry Charge and Pursuit Questions

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2016 4:19 pm
by Gordon Hazelton
We had a few queries during the charge/pursuit in Cav v Cav

The situation is when cavalry is charged and there is a line of cavalry behind. The rules don't seem clear when the unit in front loses the combat, what situation allows it retreat/rout through the gap and when it will burst through.

1] How close does the Cav behind have to be to force it to interpenetrate?

2] How wide does the gap have to be to allow it to go through e.g. if the line behind is say only 3 inches away and there is 1 BW gap between the units behind would it go through that gap if as a result of losing combat it is now reduced to only 1 base

3] Does the sideways move necessary to get through the gap count towards the rout distance and does it end up directly behind the next line or in line with the gap

All these questions above then lead to questions about the pusuit

1] If the unit being pursued goes through the gap does the pursuing unit follow it through or does it hit the line of stationary troops behind

2] If the routing unit is 1 base width and routs through a 1 BW gap but the pursuing unit is 2 BW where goes it go?

3] Does the pursuing unit end up behind the enemy lines or can it have opportunity to charge into the stationary enemy units instead

Re: Cavalry Charge and Pursuit Questions

Posted: Sun Dec 25, 2016 1:42 pm
by barr7430
Gordon,

just noticed these questions. Obviously today will be a little challenging to go into a big explanation. I'll get back to it once the festivities have ebbed.

Re: Cavalry Charge and Pursuit Questions

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 4:25 pm
by barr7430
OK, here are some pointers but not necessarily linked directly to your sequence of questions.

Once a melee begins all order is considered to be lost therefore there are no longer any lines or ranks just a milling mass of horses.

Any melee therefore has no flanks as it is simply a mixed mob of individuals in combat. When a unit breaks it will move as a 'mob' with no lines or ranks like a hard of cattle stampeding. It will head for a gap if there is one. To avoid any interpenetration the gap must be a base width or 60mm. Gentleman's agreement required here.

It does not matter whether the gap is to the lft, the right or directly behind, if it exists and will take the routers AWAY from the enemy they will head for it.
The only time routers will interpenetrate is if they are directly touching the friendly squadron behind AND no gap exists within reach OR if their entire rear is a solid line of friendly troops at any distance. Interpenetration is an absolute last resort.

Pursuers follow in a mob with no discernible frontage. They will pursue through gaps but if their PURSUIT move is longer than their opponents ROUT move they routers are destroyed on the spot. They
would contact new enemy IF the router interpenetrated friends and the pursuers did not check or failed a check to rein in.


Hope this helps

B