Art De La Guerre

[KevinD]

When a unit breaks through an enemy line and turns to hit an enemy in flank, what happens?

Say letters facing up are fighting numbers facing down as below (All number units are MI Sw Polearm and all letter units units are HCav):

1234
ABCD

B routs 2 during B’s turn and chooses to (or must if impetuous) pursue. Thus:

1B34
AxCD

Now B turns 90 degrees left and flanks 1. What happens?

Does 1 lose a cohesion point for a flank multiple) attack?
Does 1’s combat factor drop to 0 for being flanked?
Does 1 lose any special abilities (such as from polearms?)
Does B (if impact or impetuous) add (to A’s factor) +1 for flank, +1 for Cv VS MI and but not another +1 for impact
Does B (if not impact or impetuous) add (to A’s factor) +1 for flank, +1 for Cv VS MI and another +1 for Cv VS MI Sw on first round?

Now let’s assume that instead of turning left, B turns right and that 3 had already taken 2 cohesion hits. What happens?

Does 3 lose another cohesion point and, being at 3 lost cohesion points, route?
Does this allow B to pursue into the flank of 4?
If so, does 4 lose a cohesion point for a multiple (flank) attack?
Does 4 drop to a factor of 0?
Does 4 lose it’s special abilities?
Does B (if impact or impetuous) add (to D’s factor) +1 for flank, +1 for Cv VS MI and but not another +1 for impact
Does B (if not impact or impetuous) add (to D’s factor) +1 for flank, +1 for Cv VS MI and another +1 for Cv VS MI Sw on first round?

Thanks!

[Za Otlichiye]

My take, corrections appreciated.

[KevinD]

[OlivierF]

I'll answer from my knowledge of the v4.

I'll let the Wise correct me if needed.

[Ramses II]

[Za Otlichiye]

Note that we are already in the Rout and Pursuit phase. Unit B has routed Unit 2 and pursues. (It is not completely clear from page 52 that it can conform to its flank to flank contacts, but assuming it can...) It then routs Unit 3, but I do not believe it (or anyone else in melee with Unit 3) can pursue again.

[Ramses II]

No. 
Kevin specifically asked about events in a later turn

Turn #1 - initial combat 
Turn #2 - B destroys 2 and pursues into the gap. 
Turn #3 - inconclusive turn for 1-4
Turn #4 - (the point where Kevin’s questions apply) B conforms to one flank or the other inflicting a cohesion loss etc. If the unit that B now faces is destroyed and routs, B may pursue etc. 

Note, this requires a protracted melee sequence of at least four turns which is less likely but far from impossible 

[Za Otlichiye]

Ok, looking really hard at pages 41, 51, and 52 I agree. Unit B would be in position to support Unit A and Unit C as it slides flank to flank by Unit 1 and Unit 3. Thus it is not eligible to conform to either Unit 1 or 3's flank. It must move (wheel). As you say it is a protracted series of events that is likely to be fluid.

If it routs Unit 3 by multiple attack cohesion loss it can (usually) pursue into Unit 4, and might rout it in the same way. But it would not pursue again (IIUC).

Note for Olivier that Cv vs LMI etc. is a first round effect and so by page 63 would not apply as Unit 3 cannot be charged.

[OlivierF]

You're right Ramses II. I understand myself (sorry for the french / english translation in my mind ) but to be more correct / understandable, I should have written :

[Za Otlichiye]

Opps, sorry Olivier - read Cv vs MI as the bonus rather than the basic factor....

[OlivierF]

No worries  
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[KevinD]

Thank you to everyone (Olivier, Za, Ramses) for clarifying these for me, I appreciate your time and patience.