DBMM Page 30

Spontaneous Advance
The spontaneous advance section is one of the most difficult to comprehend so the rule text is reproduced in full here with commentary inserted.

SPONTANEOUS ADVANCE (Figs.5-8) Some troops can advance without expending PIPs. This may reflect initiative by local commanders following a standard operational procedure not needing an order by a general; or in the extreme case, undisciplined disobedience. Such troops are impetuous until broken or the cause ceases; and until then will spontaneously advance, automatically renew combat or chase broken enemy unless controlled. They are: Expendables Irregular elements of - Knights (S), (O) or (F) [but not (X)], Light Horse (S), Camelry (S), Blades (F) [not (X)], Spears (O), Hordes (S) or (F), and all Warband. Mounted impetuous foot remain impetuous.
Note that mounted impetuous foot, if they make a spontaneous move, will move as foot and abandon their mounts (see p.10).

Regular Knights (F) based as a single-element wedge. Psiloi in the TZ of enemy foot, unless other troops or a terrain edge are between them and the enemy.
Other troops are between the Psiloi and the enemy if it is possible to draw a straight line from a point on the Psiloi to a point on the TZ-ing enemy element without passing through either element and that line crosses (not just touches) other troops. A terrain edge is between them if they are entirely on opposite sides of the terrain edge. If either element is exactly on the terrain edge then assume it is entirely on one side of it. (Suggested playing convention)

A single element (or double base) of regular cavalry placed alone in an undiscovered ambush. Any troops (except train) that are aware of broken or shattered enemy closer than 400p or of an enemy feigned flight within 480p in the preceding enemy bound, or that will contact enemy Baggage.
An element impetuous only because it will contact enemy Baggage, and that is not exempt from making a spontaneous move, must contact enemy Baggage with its spontaneous move. Note that it is possible that an element which could contact enemy baggage by a tactical or march move may not be able to do so with a spontaneous move because of the restrictions on spontaneous moves. Also note that usually only the front element of a column will contact enemy baggage, so elements further back will not become impetuous and will not advance spontaneously.

Troops that crossed a hidden obstacle this bound, or that are in a river unless fleeing.

Boats are not made impetuous by being in a river. Phil Barker Message #134208. A normally non-impetuous element that flees from combat into a river is not impetuous on the bound in which it fled, so does not turn 180 degrees at the end of the bound (see p.41) (Suggested playing convention). It will be impetuous in future bounds.

Impetuous troops must advance spontaneously in columns if they can, as individual elements only if not, unless:

 They have moved (unless across a hidden obstacle), or are in close combat. They have been halted, or they are encamped at night (see p.23), or of an army baggage command. They are foot defending a river edge (see p.20), or the move would cross fortifications from the inside.
Foot in rear ranks of a group whose front edge are foot defending a river edge also do not make a spontaneous advance. If foot have several possible spontaneous move options and not all of them would cross fortifications from the inside, then they may either use one of the options that doesnt, or not move at all. (Suggested playing convention)

They are in difficult going or undiscovered in ambush (see p.17), have not yet moved during the battle, and choose not to move.
Note that an element in more than one type of going is treated for movement as if in the one that slows cavalry more (p19 para 7). This bullet therefore applies to elements that are partially in difficult going.

They are overlapping an enemy element, and choose not to move.

If an element in a column is in overlap and chooses not to move, all of the elements in the column behind it do not move (suggested playing convention). Elements in front of it must still move unless some other exemption applies.

They are mounted and the move would reach fortifications or an unfrozen water feature, or enter difficult going other than FO.
If mounted have several possible spontaneous move options and not all of them would reach fortifications etc, then they may either use one of the options that doesnt, or not move at all. (Suggested playing convention) If they are already in difficult going, this does not prevent mounted from making a spontaneous advance as the move will remain in the terrain they previously entered, not enter it (unless they will enter a separate feature of difficult going).

They are Knights that would make edge or corner contact with any elephants or camels.
If Knights have several possible spontaneous move options and not all of them would contact elephants or camels, then they may either use one of the options that doesnt, or not move at all. (Suggested playing convention)

Their command is disheartened (see p.43), or is that of an unreliable ally (see p.14). None of the directions below is possible, in which case it remains in place, but counts as moved.
If none of the directions below is possible for the front element of a column, then the whole column remains in place and counts as moved. (Suggested playing convention) In general, if the front element of a column need not make a spontaneous advance because any of the above exemptions apply, the same exemption will not necessarily apply to elements further back in the column and they may therefore need to make a spontaneous advance. However, it may turn out that none of the directions below is possible for one of the other elements, in which case it and all elements behind remain in place but count as moved. This most

commonly arises when the front element is in close combat. Based on Phil Barker, DBMM List, message #126985

A spontaneous advances direction is straight ahead, except if that move (a) would neither contact an enemy element any part of which is directly in front nor end closer to the previously closest visible enemy it may, or (b) would go closer to its sides rear battlefield edge it must either:
The wording of this paragraph often causes confusion. The meaning is clarified by the following table: Would a straight ahead move End closer to own sides rear battlefield edge? Contact enemy directly in front OR End closer to previously closest visible enemy ? not relevant YES NO Then allowable move is:

YES NO NO

Use a bullet Straight ahead Straight ahead OR Use a bullet

Use a bullet means use an option from the rules.

bulleted list that follows in the

If a straight ahead move would not be legal (e.g. due to enemy TZ), or would result in an exemption from spontaneous advance (e.g. mounted would enter difficult going) then treat it as if a straight ahead move would not end closer to the previously closest visible enemy, i.e. in practice the move must use a bullet (suggested playing convention). Note that if the only allowable move is straight ahead (because the move will end closer to the previously closest enemy element), this may result in the move failing to contact enemy that are not straight ahead but would otherwise be within reach. It is possible for the spontaneously moving element to go past the previously closest enemy and still end closer to it than it was at the start of the move. Elements making a spontaneous advance straight ahead cannot use optional EMTLU while moving in a TZ as this is not straight ahead (suggested playing convention, Based on Phil Barker, DBMM List, message #142124). They must use EMTLU to line up in close combat if they initiate close combat as this is compulsory.

Unless in column behind another moving element, change direction by the least angle and then move the least distance possible to bring its front edge into front or rear edge contact with or to overlap the closest enemy element in reach of which any part is in front of a line extending its rear edge.
First, identify the target element, which is the closest element in reach of which any part is in front of a line extending its (the spontaneously advancing elements) rear edge. Next, change the facing of the moving element by either a pivot or wheel if it is a single element, or a wheel if it is the front element of a column.

Finally move the element in a straight line to contact the target element. If it is the front element of a column, this must be straight ahead. If it is a single element it can move in a straight line in any direction (it must move in the direction that is the least angle from the original straight ahead direction). It cannot use optional EMTLU while moving in a TZ as the only change of direction allowed is at the start of the move (suggested playing convention, but I have had it ruled otherwise at a comp). At the end of its move it cannot change its facing again except by an EMTLU (if it initiated close combat) or if it contacts a friendly element that is in close combat or that it cannot pass through, or that is any impetuous element that has moved this bound (see below). These constraints may prevent the element from contacting enemy that a normal (PIP-paid) move would be able to contact (in which case that enemy is not in reach so a more distant enemy may become the target). (Suggested playing convention). Note that it is permitted to contact only a front or rear (not flank) edge, so in some cases the moving element may have to ignore a flank edge and contact the rear or front instead. However, moving into overlap (if possible) against the flank edge may take precedence if this requires the least change of direction. It is permitted to contact the flank edge of an enemy element if this edge will be treated as a front edge in combat. (Suggested playing convention). Note that it is possible that the advancing element may end up behind its original rear, for example by contacting an enemy element that has only a small part in front of the line extending its (the spontaneously advancing elements) rear edge. Note that if a straight ahead move goes closer to the moving elements own rear table edge then it must use a bullet. Therefore it cannot contact an enemy elements flank edge even if moving straight ahead to do so.

Move directly towards the enemy Baggage or routing element that is visible closer than 400p and which is most nearly straight ahead. Continue along a road, a battlefield edge, or the edge of a terrain feature it reaches while moving straight ahead or is already moving along; if this will take it closer to the enemy rear battlefield edge.
Note that an element that MUST move straight ahead cannot use this bullet. An element that must, or that chooses to, move straight ahead continues straight on into the terrain if it has enough move to do so, otherwise stops at the terrain edge. However, note that a mounted element cannot enter difficult going by a spontaneous advance - it may use another option (usually moving along the edge) if available, but if it chooses not to, or if none is available then spontaneous advance does not apply. An element already in the terrain may be able to use this bullet to move along inside the edge.

A spontaneous advance must be the full permitted tactical move distance, except that the element or column: Moves an extra 80p if moving straight ahead in good going without ending in any contact with enemy.
The whole move must be in good going to trigger this. If the normal move distance ended in contact with enemy then the 80p cannot be used even if this would not end in contact. (Suggested playing convention).

 Moves double distance if this will contact enemy routers. Must reduce its move by approximately 5-10p if needed to avoid ending in front corner-to-front corner contact with friends, unless its front edge contacts enemy or will overlap (see p.35) enemy.
If the move is ended before it has gone its full distance, for example by contacting friends or being within 80p of enemy the element can shoot at, then the element DOES stop 5-10p before reaching the stopping point . (Suggested playing convention).

Immediately on contact pivots less than 90 to end facing the same direction as a friendly element it contacts that is in close combat or that it cannot pass through (see p.32), or is any impetuous element that has moved this bound. This permits a mass spontaneous advance to be redirected by a tactical move of one of its leading elements in the new direction, to which the other spontaneous elements will gradually conform. This is the equivalent of There they are! Follow me!
If the front element of a column pivots in this way and the other elements of the column are in the way, or if the front element would be moved out of the column, then adjust the positions of the following elements by the minimum necessary (preferably without changing facing) to remain as a column with a bend in it where the front element pivoted. (Suggested playing convention). If other elements that it cannot pass through are in the way of the pivoting element, it does not pivot. (Suggested playing convention). This bullet does not apply if the moving element goes past the friendly element while in contact with it, i.e. if it just grazes. The friendly element has to block the move for this bullet to apply.

Ends its move when it (a) contacts (without pivoting) friends it cannot pass through, (b) has pivoted to conform to friends or enemy it contacts, (c) is overlapping an enemy element and does not wish to continue moving straight ahead, (d) is 80p or less from mounted enemy it can shoot at, (e) its front edge reaches a battlefield edge it cannot continue along, or (f) it is at the centre of an enemy BUA.
The term enemy BUA is not defined on page 19 of the rules, which only defines a friendly BUA. Treat any BUA that is not friendly as enemy. In practice this means the move ends at the centre of a BUA only if there is an enemy element also in the BUA. (Suggested playing convention).

Being spontaneous or the move ending do not remove the obligation to conform in a TZ (see p.32). If 2 or more elements must advance spontaneously that/those in front move first. Expendables that have made a spontaneous advance can no longer make tactical or march moves or be halted during the remainder of the game.
An element is in front of another element for these purposes only if part of it is between the others extended flank edges (in the headlight beam). If neither element is facing the other, then neither is in front, even if one is in front of the line extending the others front edge. If elements are both front of each other (e.g. they are facing each other) then the player can choose which to move first. (Suggested playing convention)

DBMM Page 32
Elements making a spontaneous advance passing through friends
When elements must make moves due to columns of troops in spontaneous advance passing through them it is not always clear how this happens. The following playing conventions are suggested. As a general principle, when a column of elements in spontaneous advance passes through friends, envisage the advancing and friendly elements as able to co-exist in the same space and freely pass through each other until the move is completed, then sort out any problems of elements ending on top of each other using p.32 para 5. Recoiling elements: Normally a recoiling element that meets friends is stopped or pushes them back. However, if the friends are spontaneously advancing then they can pass through the recoiling element, triggering another recoil. They continue their advance normally without being pushed back. The recoiling element recoils once for each element that passed through it (either fully or partially). It can still be blocked by or push back other friends that it cannot pass through, including friends that have already completed a spontaneous advance or will have to make one later in the bound. Once the advance and all recoils are complete, often the recoiling element will have moved back far enough to be clear of all the advancing elements. Sometimes the recoiling element will still be on top of one or more advancing elements. In that case p.32 para 5 applies and the first advancing element that is not clear of the recoiler is moved forward until it is clear, pushing friends in front of it ahead of it. Other elements following stop at the near edge of the recoiler and do not pass through it. Fleeing elements: As soon as the first spontaneously advancing element starts passing through the friendly element and causes it to flee, it makes its flee move. Assume it can pass through the advancing elements (as they are passing through it). Once it has completed its flee move, complete the spontaneous advance. If any of the advancing elements end on top of the fleeing element, apply para 5 as above. The fleeing element only flees once, not once for each element of the column that passed through it. If another spontaneous advance (i.e. by a different column or single element) passes through it, it may have to flee again. Other impetuous elements that have not yet moved this bound: Other impetuous elements that have not yet moved this bound passed through by a spontaneous advance follow it instead of going in one of the directions specified in p.30 para 3. They do so even if normally exempt from making a spontaneous advance. If the initial spontaneous advance does not clear the other impetuous elements, then apply para 5 as above. Then any other impetuous elements that were pushed ahead do not make a spontaneous advance as they cant follow behind. Elements that were passed through follow the elements that fully passed through them, which will usually mean either wheeling towards them as far as possible, or not moving at all if they are already facing the same direction.

Other impetuous elements that have not yet moved this bound passed through by routers do not follow behind them in spontaneous advance, but respond as per p.41 paras 5 and 9.