Warrior Ancient and Medieval Rules

[Frank Gilson]

Want to make sure I don't completely forget about this Question:
Exactly under what circumstances, and for how long, does an element of
Pike armed Swiss foot fight from behind an element of 2HCT armed Swiss
foot?

The relevant list rule is Swiss Infantry Rules #2, page 3 of Feudal
Warrior, stated here for completeness:
"If the H-T-H opponent of a mixed P/2HCT body fails to recoil, break,
or break-off, a rear element of 2HCT (behind an element that faced
that opponent) may replace that front element of P. In the next bound
(only) of a continued melee such an element of 2HCT counts as in first
contact and steady. A single second rank (but not third or fourth) of
P behind a replacing element of 2HCT fights at full effect."

Note the use of the word 'replacing' in the last sentence, that
governs the use of an element of P behind that of 2HCT.

Basically, when is an element of 2HCT a 'replacing' element and for
how long?

Note that the last sentence does not state 'such' before 'a
replacing', so it leaves the door open that for the entire combat, an
element of P can fight behind an element of 2HCT if that halberd
element was ever 'replacing' during that combat.

Is a halberd element 'replacing' if I execute a formation change to
put that element in the front rank of a unit, with a P element behind
it? Probably not...It certainly isn't if I start the game out in that
formation of 2HCT with P behind. In fact, a formation change results
in the 2HCT element being an 'exchanging' element ...not 'replacing'.

I 'think' that if a 2HCT element executes the 'replace' function of
Rule #2, then for that entire combat, however long it lasts, it
is 'replacing' and an element of P can fight from behind it.

Frank Gilson