Retire result details

[TankTracks]

Sometimes a retire result calls for two full moves back as outlined under die roll 5 on the break test QRS. This allows it to reach a tenable position.

So what to do in this example? A unit is 8" in front of a stream or others obstacle. The retire result requires it to go back 12". As there is not enough movement to cross the obstacle with an extra 6" does it stop at the edge of the creek as a tenable position or does it make a second full move to cross it? The rulebook says a retire move is a normal move in all respects. In this example a normal move would be to stop at the creek. But does the retire result require a full move and thus two moves in this case?

[Big Al]

Ok, we are assuming that the stream is fordable. IF it isn't the unit can't retire and breaks. The unit can't clear the stream in one move, so it would just stand in the water. If you have said that troops can't stand in the water but must be on one bank or the other, then the same rule would apply and the unit would have to make the second full move and then stop disordered.
The requirement to move a second move is because if, at the end of the first retire move, the unit would be inside another friendly unit, then it would have to clear that unit so would need to retire a second full move.

[faithandfire]

Sorry to be dense on this one.

Assume that the creek is fordable. Assume 6" movement penalty to cross. Assume that we play such that a unit is on either bank and does not stand in the water.

During movement a unit that is 8" from the creek is ordered to advance cross the creek and advance as far directly forward as possible and rolls one action may move the 8" up to the bank of the creek and stays there because it does not have the remaining 6" to give up to cross the creek. That is its allowable full move given the situation.

Now, that same unit rolls a retire result from hand to hand. It retires the eight inches to the bank of the fordable stream which is its full movement because it does not have the 6' to give up to cross the stream. That is a tenable position and constitutes a full move given the circumstances. At least that is how I interpret the rules but TankTracks does see it differently - the unit has not made a full 12" move and must make a second move to continue to retire.

[Big Al]

Sorry to be dense on this one.

Assume that the creek is fordable. Assume 6" movement penalty to cross. Assume that we play such that a unit is on either bank and does not stand in the water.

During movement a unit that is 8" from the creek is ordered to advance cross the creek and advance as far directly forward as possible and rolls one action may move the 8" up to the bank of the creek and stays there because it does not have the remaining 6" to give up to cross the creek. That is its allowable full move given the situation.

Now, that same unit rolls a retire result from hand to hand. It retires the eight inches to the bank of the fordable stream which is its full movement because it does not have the 6' to give up to cross the stream. That is a tenable position and constitutes a full move given the circumstances. At least that is how I interpret the rules but TankTracks does see it differently - the unit has not made a full 12" move and must make a second move to continue to retire.

The rule for retire clearly states that the unit will fall back one full move (12") and if it requires a further move to clear an obstacle, then it may make a second full move and become disordered. The original question asked for clarification of the rule and that is how it is.

However, the rules are a "toolkit", so if you want to change something, then you can and you can play it as you see fit, like in your suggestion. The thing is that in your example, the creek is in the way and the unit will only retire 8", 2/3 of a move. Provision is in the break test rules for such an event, namely it may make a second move to clear such obstacles. On the plus side, an enemy couldn't follow up, which they would be allowed to do if there was no obstacle, because of that same obstacle and its restriction.