Breaking off from combat

[Cornerstone]

Can a BG in combat break off combat during the movement phase?

1. Skirmishers can turn 180 and move so it seems possible to break off combat during the BG movement phase. Is this a legal move?

2. A fragmented BG may make simple move to retire from enemy BGs. Does this mean you can turn 180 and retire from combat?

Thanks advance
Charles

[gozerius]

Battlegroups may never voluntarily disengage from close combat in the manuever phase. Mounted in close combat with steady foot MUST break off in the JAP.

[SirGarnet]

1. No. Troops in combat stay in combat until one side breaks or breaks off, but break off is a specific action in the Joint Action phase (p106) and only applies to mounted troops.

2. No. Fragmented troops are treated the same as other troops. That rule says a CMT is required for any move other than a simple move to retire away from enemy. What available moves are simple depends on the troop type as usual.