CMT when assaulted in the open

[richafricanus]

Had one of those games today with lots of rule queries which I'm going to post in separate posts to make threads easy to follow. Here's the first:
Infantry not in square hit by pursuing cav in the first half of the pursuit "cannot make a reaction move". Does this also mean they don't need to take a CT for being charged by cav while not in square?

[deadtorius]

Yes in this case they don't test for being charged by cav. Only exception to that rule.

[KeefM]

I would take a different answer. The CT is still required but no response move is allowed.

[KendallB]

With Keith on this one.

Must make a CT but can't form square or fire.

[richafricanus]

I tend to agree that they should test. Good to get a definitive view from Terry.

[deadtorius]

After looking at page 66 looks like you are correct, they can't make a reaction move so no forming square, but it does not say they do not test or auto drop if the cav starts the pursuit within 2 MU. Looks like I was wrong

[BrettPT]

I take a different view on this, and don't believe that infantry contacted in the 1st half of a cavalry pursuit need to CT (or drop a level if within 2MU).

Reasoning:

1. The "Responding to an Assault" table on page 68 is prefixed by the words "During the Assault Phase Only:" The pursuit takes place in the Combat Phase so, on the face of it, this entire table has no application to pursuits.

2. A pursuit is not an assault, they are different things with different rules applying.
(a) nowhere under the assault rules on pages 27-30, including the reactions to being assaulted on pages 29-30, does it refer to pursuits. Pursuits are covered under their own rules.

(b) pages 65-66 contain the specific rules for pursuits. These include a reference that wavering opponents contacted in a pursuit "...must take a Cohesion Test as if being assaulted."(italics added). The use of the words "as if" is, for me, recognition that a pursuit is not an assault.

(c) as pursuits are not assaults, the assault rules should not be assumed to apply to pursuits - unless the pursuit rules specifically say so. This also means that pursuing troops can contact opponents they are not allowed to assault (ie skirmishers into formed troops, or infantry into cavalry).

3. Page 66 - pursuit rules -"Enemy units contacted in the 1st half of a pursuit move cannot make a reaction move, nor may they fire". The phrase "reaction move" IMO does not mean a reaction that involves the actual movement of bases, but rather refers to the heading "Reaction Moves" on page 29 under which all the reactions to an assault are listed - including the CT if charged by cavalry in the open.

So to my mind, no tests are required for targets contacted in the 1st half of a pursuit - except a CT if you are wavering.

Make sense?
Cheers
Brett

[terrys]

I agree with Brett on this.

If hit in the first half of the pursuit, the unit contacted does not have to take a CMT other than for being charge while wavering.
The combat will occur immediately and not defensive firing or change of formation is allowed.