Contracting in combat

[pease1]

In the photo below, a Carthaginian spear unit (in white tunics) is beating up on a Roman legion. The legion, which is superior, is down to its last two stands. Can that legion, contract to one stand wide since it would still be fighting with the same number of stands, to make room for the approaching triarii (behind to the right) to charge the following turn?

Second question, is there any way to have the Triarii be able to charge in one turn?

The mounted stand behind the legion is a field commander.



Thanks in advance for your answers,
AJ

[hammy]

Short answers:

1) No

2) No

Longer answers:

1) The only voluntary formation changes allowed in close combat are 'feeding in more bases'. You cannot 'feed in' bases that are already fighting.

2) You cannot charge into contact in an impact phase but you could I think managed to move to an overlap taking advantage of the half base slide that is allowed for such a move.

[pease1]

Thanks, that's what I thought. This is a battle in-progress that we are going to continue. The point might be moot if the legion loses another stand. Wish me luck!