Strafe Attack and Retreat

[bcjumper]

Hi all,

I have a question about strafe attacks and retreats in A&A 2nd ed.

I understand that, in general, attacking units may retreat during any combat round, but only to ONE adjacent friendly territory from which one of the original attacking units came from.

I also understand that their is NO retreat during an amphibious assault, including aircraft.

So...what happens if a bunch of fighters come in for a strafe attack (let's say UK fighters attacking a German held W. Europe)??

If some fighters survive a round of defensive fire from the defending units, can they retreat? To where?

There is usually no "ONE adjacent friendly territory from which one of the original attacking units came from." They came from two zones away and can legally return to UK during a noncombat move but can they leave battle and return TWO spaces to friendly territory? Are they lost?

Thanks!

[axis_roll]

Noncombat moves (withdrawals from battles included) are different for planes. While these occur during the same time in the game play sequence, planes land later after ground units have withdrawn. Planes are considering hovering over the country and can land anywhere within movement ranges during non-combat.

[bcjumper]

Right...but what if the only attacking units are planes? Can they withdraw at anytime to their maximum movement capabilities or are they "retreating" to ONE adjacent friendly territory (which in this case there was none, the only friendly territory was two spaces over)?

[axis_roll]

Planes don't have to retreat as a "group". Their retreat is to stop attacking. They move in noncombat to land anywhere within range limits... and each piece can go where ever it has the range to land.

[bcjumper]

..."noncombat moves (withdrawals from battles included) are different for planes. Planes are considering hovering over the country and can land anywhere within movement ranges during non-combat."

"Their retreat is to stop attacking. They move in noncombat to land anywhere within range limits... and each piece can go where ever it has the range to land."


This sounds more like an aerial retreat as described in the 3rd ed. rules and NOT 2nd ed.. where planes can retreat during an attack but ground units remain. I am talking about an air attack only using 2nd ed.

[pagan]

In AA 2nd edition:

Can anything retreat from an amphibious assault?
No. An amphibious assault is a fight to the death for every unit involved, both attacking and defending


If that's all you're asking, then you have no NCM or retreat if you don't win the fight. You must fight until you kill all enemy units OR are dead.

If you kill all enemy units and your fighter moved 2 moves into W.E. , then you have 2 moves left to land the FTRs.

Without an Amphib-Assault, then you stop your attack with your fighters and then during the NCM phase if your fighters moved 2 moves into W.E. , then you have 2 moves left to land the FTRs. {you begin your NCM with the fighters IN western europe}

You don't get to "back-up" a space [as a free movement] and then go to NCM and move your remaining movement pips.

This was a problem before, where FTRs would 'retreat' to a territory they came from (as opposed to a friendly territory) and get a free move ; this is akin to the AC movement of 2 spaces and the FTRs flying from there with a 6 move. Its all an arguement over the verbage I'm afraid....

[axis_roll]

This sounds more like an aerial retreat as described in the 3rd ed. rules and NOT 2nd ed.. where planes can retreat during an attack but ground units remain. I am talking about an air attack only using 2nd ed.
I'm sorry if I have offered my opinion in error... I haven't played a strictly 2nd edition rule set since 1992.

[bcjumper]

"Without an Amphib-Assault, then you stop your attack with your fighters and then during the NCM phase if your fighters moved 2 moves into W.E. , then you have 2 moves left to land the FTRs. {you begin your NCM with the fighters IN western europe}"

That's it! Now does stopping an attack with air units differ from the 3rd ed. aerial retreat?

"I'm sorry if I have offered my opinion in error... I haven't played a strictly 2nd edition rule set since 1992."

Hey Axis_roll...no problem. This is a tricky one for me to get my head around. I am teaching some newbies and he tried this move. I wasn't sure how he would retreat from this move. We are playing 2nd ed. for now until they get a bit better, then we will try other variations.

Thanks for all the input!!

[pagan]

I know you want something concrete but you won't get it.

3rd edition is how fighter retreat was 'FIXED' in staying in the same area.

2nd edition is up to your interpretation of the rules. (read the end of my last message)

My opinion is that it is simple to understand the 'spirit' of the rule in that no retreating FTR should get a free move. Just like a FTR shouldn't get 6 moves from 2 virtual AC moves in NCM.

I don't want to hear the arguements about a retreating land unit INF gets a virtual-free movement in retreat... and whatever....

You have to decide what the rule is for yourself in 2nd edition.

On a side note: I say UPGRADE YOUR GAME!

[bcjumper]

On a side note: I say UPGRADE YOUR GAME!

LOL...no doubt!