contraction question

[bahdahbum]

When you contract a unit, the contracted bases may be putted in any rank . So here is the question :

If you have a front rank of spearmen and a rear rank of bows , 4 bases of each type . if you contract could you have two ranks of spearmen followed by 2 ranks of bow ?

s = spear b = bowmen

initial situation :
SSSS
BBBB

can it become and so have at least a POA of + for two spear ranks
SS
SS
BB
BB

or should it become which is rather useless

SS
BB
SS
BB

[lawrenceg]

When you contract a unit, the contracted bases may be putted in any rank . So here is the question :

If you have a front rank of spearmen and a rear rank of bows , 4 bases of each type . if you contract could you have two ranks of spearmen followed by 2 ranks of bow ?

s = spear b = bowmen

initial situation :
SSSS
BBBB

can it become and so have at least a POA of + for two spear ranks
SS
SS
BB
BB

or should it become which is rather useless

SS
BB
SS
BB

Page 46 CONTRACTIONS says

Remove one or two bases from the same or opposite ends of the front rank and place them in any other rank.

so it would be acceptable to place them in the second rank.

Then it says

Move bases not in the front rank to make the formation legal.

So any second rank bases can be moved to the third or fourth rank.