Separate charges with one BG

[jay_d]

In last night's game a line of German spearmen charged a line of Anglo-Irish foot at an offset where six files of one of the german BGs were to the left of the end of the enemy line. A light foot BG came up to support the foot facing the Germans on the end, hoping to harass them. On the next turn, the owner of the spearmen wanted to chase away the skirmishers. Was it possible to use the end two files to charge this second target while the other two files remained in contact with another group? They could have made contact before the skirmishers evaded without breaking corner to corner contact with the rest of the BG. I realized later that this is probably illegal, but at the time I didn't think of it and I still haven't been able to find a specific restriction for such a move. As it was, I proceeded under the assumption that this was simply stepping forward, but I realize now that a unit already in close combat with part of the unit might not be allowed to declare a charge on a unit not in combat with them on a subsequent turns, at least until their enemy is defeated and moves away. However, if this is illegal, then it means that a unit may only step forward against their original target. I don't see how that could be the case.

Any help with this one?

Jay

[lawrenceg]

In last night's game a line of German spearmen charged a line of Anglo-Irish foot at an offset where six files of one of the german BGs were to the left of the end of the enemy line. A light foot BG came up to support the foot facing the Germans on the end, hoping to harass them. On the next turn, the owner of the spearmen wanted to chase away the skirmishers. Was it possible to use the end two files to charge this second target while the other two files remained in contact with another group? They could have made contact before the skirmishers evaded without breaking corner to corner contact with the rest of the BG. I realized later that this is probably illegal, but at the time I didn't think of it and I still haven't been able to find a specific restriction for such a move. As it was, I proceeded under the assumption that this was simply stepping forward, but I realize now that a unit already in close combat with part of the unit might not be allowed to declare a charge on a unit not in combat with them on a subsequent turns, at least until their enemy is defeated and moves away. However, if this is illegal, then it means that a unit may only step forward against their original target. I don't see how that could be the case.

Any help with this one?

Jay

Stepping forward is part of the charge move in the impact phase.

If any part of the BG is in melee to its front, it cannot charge, hence it cannot step forward. This is generally accepted, although I can't see anything in the rules which makes it explicit.

A large BG can find itself stuck with a base in combat and the rest getting shot at and there is nothing you can do about it. This is a side effect of using BGs as the basic manuoevre unit.

Note that there is an extra - POA for shooting at a BG that is in close combat, which mitigates the damage somewhat.

[jay_d]

Well, that is what I assumed, but I thought I would ask.

Thanks