Artillery Support

[armchairsaxon]

During a recent BP AWI game, a unit of my continentals loss a melee against a redcoat unit. It took a break test and passed.

As one of my gun batteries was within 6 inches it was counted as a support so according to the rules, as I understand them, it was automatically deemed as eliminated/broken. Is this correct?

[Big Al]

No! It was only a support and not in combat. It would only have to take a break test if the fighting unit that it was supporting had failed its break test and Break. See page 71

[armchairsaxon]

Well okay but if the continentals had failed the test the artillery is still broken/removed as this is the only result of a break test for artillery in this circumstance.

[grant]

Well okay but if the continentals had failed the test the artillery is still broken/removed as this is the only result of a break test for artillery in this circumstance.

Yes.

[jazbo]

Well okay but if the continentals had failed the test the artillery is still broken/removed as this is the only result of a break test for artillery in this circumstance.

Yes, But thats not what happened....

[Big Al]

Of course, if you have another unit on the same side of the combat unit as the artillery and within 6" of the fighting unit, you can use that as support. Only one unit per flank and rear can count as support and must be within 6". Therefore, if you have another unit in the elligible position it can be counted as support instead of the artillery. Then when the fighting unit loses and breaks, the other unit takes the break test and not the artillery. You have to be careful about which unit you choose to use for support, if you have the choice.

[Alan Charlesworth]

Big Al

I think your interpretation of the rules may be bit off there.

Page 71 paragraph 4:

"For the purposes of this test, supporting units are considered to be such if they are theoretically able to support regardless of whether they actually contribute a support bonus or not. For example, if a unit is positioned so it could support two different friends from the rear then it must test if either breaks regardless of the fact that it can only support one of them."

So unless I am missing something - you can't choose to withhold support to avoid a break test?

[Big Al]

Big Al

I think your interpretation of the rules may be bit off there.

Page 71 paragraph 4:

"For the purposes of this test, supporting units are considered to be such if they are theoretically able to support regardless of whether they actually contribute a support bonus or not. For example, if a unit is positioned so it could support two different friends from the rear then it must test if either breaks regardless of the fact that it can only support one of them."

So unless I am missing something - you can't choose to withhold support to avoid a break test?

No, you're right. I overlooked that bit. Sorry!

[armchairsaxon]

Thanks for the replies chaps