A Tangled Mass: Pared Down Close Combat Rules. . .

Another rousing engraving by Adolph Menzel, showing a clash between cavalry and Infantry at The Battle of Leignitz

 1) Declare charges at the start of a turn.  Move the charging unit half of its charge move toward the enemy target.  

2) Place a purple Bingo chip behind charging units, as a reminder, before attending to other matters on the table during the turn.  

3) Once events elsewhere have been seen to, check to see if charging  units actually close with intended targets for close combat.  Both players roll a D6 and move their units according to the following situations:

 

a. Charging Infantry versus Infantry in the Open

Close combat occurs if both players manage to roll the same number on their respective D6s.  If not, the unit(s) facing the oncoming bayonet charge 'retire at the double' (Retreat!) directly to the rear while the charging infantry occupy and hold the vacated space if possible.  Lower quality troops (D. or E. class) facing an oncoming charge might rout.

b. Charging Cavalry versus Counter-charging Cavalry 

Close combat occurs if both players roll the same number.  If not, the respective cavalry units pass through each other, turn about, and return to their own lines to reform.  Lower quality troops (D. or E. class) facing an oncoming charge might rout.

c. Charging Cavalry versus Infantry in the Open

If the cavalry rolls high, it closes with the fleeing infantry, gets in among them, and carnage ensues.  If the infantry rolls high, it holds steady and unleashes a volley into the oncoming cavalry.  Lower quality troops (D. or E. class) facing an oncoming charge might rout.

 

d. Artillery Crew and Light Infantry

Regardless of morale class, these troops evade approaching charges, which is to say they run for the hills. 

 

4) If close combat occurs based on above procedures, move charging units into contact with enemy targets.

5) Assess hits, saving throws, actual casualties, check morale, and carry out any compulsory moves for units that actually close with one another and/or charging cavalry receiving fire from steady infantry (see 3c. above). 

 

There is a bit more coming for close combat when it comes to determining casualties, but I think the above might clarify things reasonably well.  

But now, it is time this Sunday afternoon to take care of some preparation for the coming semester, which kicks off on September 1st.  Sigh.

On the bright side, those first 32 Schaumburg-Lippe infantry are finished except for glossing, so I plan to apply gray basecoat to the next batch of 16 bare metal castings this evening after The Young Master's bedtime. 

-- Stokes