Slitherine

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

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.

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.