Clarifying Column Modifiers.....

[cjsiam]

My esteemable opponent and I have come to an impasse in Direct Fire Column Modifier computation ....

Our situation involves the following Modifiers:

a) adjacent +2 columns.....he is next to me shooting
b) Woods -2 columns....I am in the woods
c) Nighttime -1 column.....he is disturbing our sleep at 0500hours...

(emphasis added below....)
Based on combat chart text:
"All are cumulative, subject to maximum final modifications of -2 and +3 (10.3)."

and the text of 10.3:
10.3 Maximum Column ModificationsColumn modifiers may not increase the column used for direct fire by more than three or decrease it by more than two. The maximum/minimum only applies AFTER all the positive and negative column modifiers have been calculated. Direct Fire is the only type of fire to which these maximums apply.
Example: An Italian infantry platoon with a fire strength of 4 attacks an adjacent British-occupied hex containing three artillery units. The attack is resolved on the 16 column of the Direct Fire Table (an increase of three columns), even though the modifiers listed on the table would increase the column by five (two for point-blank range, one for three units in target hex, two for artillery in the target hex)

It is thus my interpretation that the original 16 Becomes ---> 11
Through the following analysis:
16->30(a above)
->16(b above)
-> 11(c above)
for a NET or FINAL modification of -1.... well within the -2:+3 window specified.

My opponent interprets the column modifications to result in 16--- his perspective is the net -3 modifiers ( -2 woods -1 night) can only be -2 ...

We reached a polite impasse, and based on some experience with others likewise reading it in the same fashion,
decided that we would have others interpret the English presented as well.

My contention is that the rule is clearly stated---the NET/FINAL/AFTER all modifiers in our case is -1.....and the fact it is +2 then -3 is non-sequitur, it is
only the FINAL/AFTER all (from initial to final) distance that is restricted (distance in terms of columns to be shifted)...

May we have some opinions ? (with justification in case you disagree with my {ever so rational} perspective)
Thanks!!!