tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post6867187481366739643..comments2024-03-28T13:55:30.101-07:00Comments on Palouse Wargaming Journal: Close Combat Results - Forced MovementJonathan Freitaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-84701054889304166812016-08-23T18:04:44.038-07:002016-08-23T18:04:44.038-07:00Excellent advancement of the discussion, Padre!
F...Excellent advancement of the discussion, Padre!<br /><br />For the Tandem BMU, my thought is that a supporting Tandem would be vital in reinforcing the Primary to replace casualties and those in the front line too fatigued to continue. consider the Tandem as a ready replacement pool for the Primary. Under those assumptions, a Tandem support would be better placed to physically assist the Primary and augment the decision point. <br /><br />Your observation about the variable reaction of the supporting units based on the fate the Primary, is a good one. Push backs, withdrawals, and orderly retreats by the Primary would allow a Tandem support to react similarly. An uncontrolled rout by the Primary could interpenetrate the supporting Tandem BMU causing disorder, disruption, or morale check leaving the Tandem support now in a vulnerable position against the victorious opponent. Push back or interpenetration of the Tandem support is another interesting topic.<br /><br />Your two cents are worth quite a fortune!<br />Thanks!Jonathan Freitaghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862373894196924886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2267180105171392028.post-6507859235929733882016-08-23T14:03:57.580-07:002016-08-23T14:03:57.580-07:00This is an interesting problem.
Most wargames rule...This is an interesting problem.<br />Most wargames rules give benefits to attacker/defender for supporting units in a melee. One could argue that these benefits are probably morale, in the sense that A/D know they are not alone. Or, one could argue that supporting troops have a physical influence on the melee, though I could only see this in your example with the Adjacent unit. I don't see how the Tandem unit could support a fight physically.<br />The results of Forced Movement in your examples may assume a greater degree of command and control on the battlefield than the horse and musket period allow for A. Would Tandem and Adjacent units have clear orders to advance with Primary in the event of a clear victory that has pushed D back and would they be tactically able to obey those orders? I would say yes, as it seems unlikely that they would just stand around and watch A Primary advance away from them. However, in the smoke and confusion, their advances might not be perfectly coordinated with A Primary and they might not move forward promptly. Therefore, perhaps allow A Tandem and Adjacent half of the move allowance that Primary gets in the Advance? After all, melee results are going to mess up battlelines, that is a natural expectation of friction.<br />As for D Primary, it depends on the result of the melee. If they are giving ground grudgingly, then I would expect D Tandem to give ground in response. However, if D Primary takes a sharply adverse result, then I would expect them to turn about and burst through D Tandem, possibly imposing a morale check and disruption result on D Tandem. Certainly after an adverse result, I would expect D Primary to be facing away from A Primary, and would need a turn to rally and turn about at the very least.<br />In my ACW re-enacting experience, I found that when my unit experimented with skedaddling to the rear, it was very difficult to push through formed friendly troops to the rear. Also, one can ask, what situational awareness do D Tandem and Adjacent have of the melee result? The first they will know of an adverse result is when D Pmy is trying to push through them. Hopefully D Tdm and D Adj will have time to adjust their stance and facing, maybe not.<br />My two cents worth.Mad Padrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00410143683610813671noreply@blogger.com