RE: [eia] Russian Land Phase, December 1805

[Michael Gorman <mpgorman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I would disagree with this line.  I think that Spain should only be able
> to take part in the battle if they have combined movement with Russia,
> which they don't.  Combined movement is what accounts for coordination
> among countries, and that if combined movement isn't there, neither is
> the coordination that is required for two countries to fight as a single
> force.  In my opinion, in this case, if the Spanish garrison wants to
> fight, they'll have to try to break out independently of Russian action.
Normally this would be the case as it is not normally possible to end any 
nation's land phase with hostile forces co-existing in an area.

Looking over 7.3.8 where they deal with combined movement, it looks like 
any force allied with the nation initiating the attack can stay and 
fight.  So even without combined movement, if it were possible to get your 
force into the same space, you could join a battle without combined 
movement.  However, for field battles this is only possible by being part 
of the combined movement.  In the case of a relief battle, the Spanish 
force does not have the option to leave the area and so can remain until 
the land combat phase.  So if Spain is allied with Russia it looks like 
they clearly can take part in the battle as they are an ally of the 
attacking nation.

I could however see it being argued that the only reason an alliance is 
required in field combat rules is that the only way to gather multiple 
attackers is through combined movement and the only way to combine movement 
is to be allies.  Therefore the use of the word allies in the field and 
trivial combat rules is simply a matter of convenience since no other 
situation is possible.  the Spaniards can see a battle happening outside 
their city and know this is the time to attack no matter who it is out there.

So I think it looks like an alliance is required, but I'm not strongly 
attached to the idea. :)

Mike

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