The breakdown of the numbers is useful and I have just read the thread indicated above so I now realise that the flanking column retains it charging bonus as it charging on the same turn, hence not 'reinforcing a melee'. I have always assumed that the melee factors are dictated by the largest units in multiple contacts... and not just based on the original target unit. i.e. if the British column is bigger than the British line the French are on a -3 or if British column is smaller than the British line the French are on a +1. Apologies if this has been covered in a different thread, but this one is not clear to me. Cheers, Andy

Andy, There are no minus modifiers for being out numbered so regardless of which of the British formations are larger the French would be on +1. If the British Line were the larger of the two British formations it will receive the outnumbering modifier, likewise if the column were the larger of the two then they would receive it. Of course the choice is yours if both units are the same size and I know who I would have awarded it to! It is a positive modifier to the outnumbering force not a negative to the outnumbered this is a key factor especially in the scenario you provided. Eugene

I don't think the British column would get the +2 for charging as they would be reinforcing a melee.

RadicalThinker, I disagree, the British Column is conducting a charge in its own right, not reinforcing an existing melee. A unit can only reinforce a melee in a subsequent melee phase, in this instance all the activity is in the same phase and therefore the British Column gets the charging bonus. Take another example based loosely on your comment. Two French Columns are to charge a British line. One of the two Columns is an inch further away from the line than the other, on the basis that the first (closer) column would be in contact before the second then only the first would receive a +2 charge bonus as the second would be reinforcing an existing melee. Sorry but I would definitely disagree. Perhaps the good DR Brown will clarify but I do think it is clear in the thread highlighted by Greystreak. Eugene

I was not clear in my question above - what I was asking was if the French column still counts as charging/column (to claim the +4) if the larger of the two British units it is melee with is the flanking column rather than the line unit it actually charged to its front? I am only curious as to how this works out, but I admit it has never actually ocurred in any of our games that I can recall.

Andy, Yes it still counts as charging. The French Column (with the initiative) charged the line and came into contact with it, therefore it gets the +2 for Charging and the +2 for being in Column, as well as +1 for being Infantry. All would be rosy for the French column however it was then hit in the flank in the same turn, (not a good position to allow yourself to get in to!) and suffered the -4 for being hit in the flank. As in the case you describe the British Column was the larger of the two British forces it would receive the bonus for any outnumbering (+1 for each 50%) on top of all the other positive factors (Charging/Column) all in all a very good position for the flanking column. Eugene