CW, The argument that retreat should not be allowed is only pointless if you disagree with it.
I for one think it has a valid point. Many games do not allow units to leave the combat phase before it is over. And, as much as I hate to use the "R" word, this has some realism to it. In real life war if one side retreats, the other side doesn't always stop shooting at them. They will often persue and attempt to destroy them. Now, if the retreating unit can disengage without being destroyed, and has sufficent speed to withdraw without being run down, yes eventually they should be able to get away. That is why I would agree with modifying the combat screen to allow more room for movement. But that's different than allowing one side to completely disengage from combat unilaterally.
Pvk, I believe nothing I said about the SEIII system is incorrect. Please explain.
I was using the example of an attacking ship trying to run down a slower, retreating ship to point out an obvious flaw in the SEIII retreat system, that is the fact that by retreating a slower ship can in effect increase his speed in relation to the persuer. As I stated eventually he would run out of strategic movement and be caught, if the attacker felt it was worthwhile to persue. But that could draw the attacker out of position as others have pointed out.
Your example was different, one of unit attacking and withdrawing, more of a skirmishing type action. Something that could be done with a larger combat screen as well. The "scouting" unit could attack, and then evade for the duration of the combat phase. Then with their strategic movement withdraw afterwards.
Geoschmo