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© Alberto Giorgi

The breaking point

The breaking point is the most delicate moment of a battle where everything can be decided by an episode even seemingly marginal. A cracking of a front, in some conditions, can result in the collapse of the entire line-up (both in attack and defense). A fugitive unit can use a butterfly effect to determine the course of other units. At the end of the outcome of the hand-to-hand phase, all allied units with equal or lower reactivity index that are within a radius of 20 cm from those en-route, must be tested with the usual reactivity test. If a unit of these loses the test it will also lose a degree of morale. From integral it will become shaken, from shaken it will withdraw and from unit in retreat it will go on route. If it also goes on route, must be again tested all units 20 cm from this one with equal or lower reactivity index, even if already tested previously. More units will go in route and more likely to be followed. This rule may appear harsh but in reality it represents well what happened in a real battle, where a unit already tried, seeing going on the route nearby one or more allies, based on their own discipline and some often random factors, he would react by resisting or fleeing. In a great clash, the moment of rupture could take place several times, without necessarily being decisive for the battle. In Waterloo there are at least 3 critical moments in favour of Napoleon. The first attack to the right of the Haye Sainte, the great assault of French cavalry to the squares and, the last assault of the Guard, before defeat. For the British at least two although only the last counter-attack was really decisive. This rule appears very random and it seems that a stroke of luck or a series of favorable dice affect the outcome of a battle more than due. In fact, luck is linked to what happened in the preparation phase. This rule is not decisive if the attack has been well planned or if the defender, as was the case in reality, had provided himself with a second reserve line. If these two conditions do not take place or if the reserves are exhausted, it is probably right that the outcome, as was actually the case, be definitive.

SUMMARY: At the end of all melees, all allied units with equal or lower reactivity index within 20 cm from a routed unit (or eliminated unit), must be tested. If the test fails, the unit loses a degree of morale. For each new unit in route the test is repeated (even for those already tested). A series of routes can therefore be decisive of a battle.

© Alberto Giorgi