Why can't I move where I want to?

[L47r0]

I am playing an online game as the Allies. It is the 18th of December and a great game is unfolding. My defence in Trois Points and Houffalize has pretty much broken down but it has given me time to position my defences on the northern side of the Ourthee. One German Panzer unit (116 Pz) has made it across the Ourthe and is now in Marche. Manhay and Laroche are blue. CCB/9 Arm is just (1 pip) alive and is in Houffalize having survived an attack by Pz Lehr and 12 SS Pz. I would like to move it to Manhay to cut off 116 Pz. It would probably be killed on the 19th but at least it would prevent 116 Pz moving that day. However, the only legal move is south across the Ourthe to Sibret (which is green). Why is the case? Surely a move along a road to Manhay would be easier than fording a river to Sibret. Is it because units that have already been attacked are only allowed to move to territories of their own colour? If so, I don't really see the logic. Please explain!

[daviddunham]

Any chance you could show the map? Most likely this is “A unit beginning its move in a contested space may move out of that space. However, it may not move directly to another contested space or an enemy controlled space (it may move from a contested space to a friendly space, and then to a contested space).”

[Yojimbo252]

Is it because units that have already been attacked are only allowed to move to territories of their own colour? If so, I don't really see the logic. Please explain!

That's correct. If a unit is already engaged in a contested area it cannot move directly to an enemy controlled or other contested area.

I guess the logic is that when engaged in combat the enemy exerts a zone of influence that hampers your movements, limiting your options to either fight it out or disengage by withdrawing to a friendly controlled position.

If the game allowed units to move from one enemy controlled area to another, you could simply 'pass through' the enemy lines without defeating them which would seem even more illogical.

[L47r0]

Thanks guys. I think that the description in the rules could be made clearer. I had assumed that 'enemy controlled' meant that enemy units were in that area. I understand Yojimbo's logic. A suppose that a space being in your color indicates that support units and small numbers of troops are in that area. I still think it would be easier to go into those spaces than ford a river!

[Yojimbo252]

A suppose that a space being in your color indicates that support units and small numbers of troops are in that area. I still think it would be easier to go into those spaces than ford a river!

Well I don't think it's so much that support units are in the area as they wouldn't be sufficient to be recognised as a fighting force at a divisional level otherwise they'd be represented by a marker.

I think it's more the fact that it is assumed any enemy units currently in the contested area with yours are positioned somewhere between your units and the enemy controlled (albeit empty) regions beyond.

They therefore act as a protective barrier between your troops and those areas (which you are prevented from accessing) unless defeated.

[s_Mylo]

My opinion is that BOtB handles the retreating from engaged spaces very well. To me, it makes sense that a unit can only 'retreat' back towards friendly lines...and that as Yoj points out, the defending units in the space being retreated from are in a position to block his opponent from going into territory already secured ....and in saying that, ...it would be 'easier' for a unit to retreat across that empty Ford then to try and fight it's way across that bridge....so to speak.

Mylo