@moralecheck:
Nope. There is a big difference between retreating from where you came (essential cancelling your move) and using a retreat at sea to get an extra point in whatever direction you want.
all units can gain an extra movement point by attacking from two different territrory/szs and all units retreating to the same territory/sz.
for example
japan has a 2destroyers in sz6
usa has a carrier in sz26 and a carrier and destroyer in sz19
usa attacks sz6 with all three units then retreats units to sz19
the carrier and destroyer that started in sz26 has made a clever move that allows it to move 4 spaces(just like any navy battle that allows a retreat).
remember carriers are warships and are allowed to participate in attacks and take hits just like all other units. now lets look at my original example
japan has only a transport in sz6
usa has a carrier in sz26 and a a carrier in sz19
can both carriers attack sz6?
if so then the carriers can retreat to sz19. the carrier that started in sz26 has made a clever move that allows it to move 4 spaces(just like any navy battle that allows a retreat) but without risking damage.
kreighund do you have a ruling stating that carriers can not attack without another type of warship involved in the attack? or a ruling that carriers can attack bythemselves?