diff --git a/Strategic/Assignments.cpp b/Strategic/Assignments.cpp
index 1d5cee55..c8bec277 100644
--- a/Strategic/Assignments.cpp
+++ b/Strategic/Assignments.cpp
@@ -632,8 +632,6 @@ BOOLEAN ValidTrainingPartnerInSameSectorOnAssignmentFound( SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier
 
 extern void AddSectorForSoldierToListOfSectorsThatCompletedMilitiaTraining( SOLDIERTYPE *pSoldier );
 
-extern BOOLEAN SectorIsImpassable( INT16 sSector );
-
 extern BOOLEAN CanChangeSleepStatusForCharSlot( INT8 bCharNumber );
 
 // only 2 trainers are allowed per sector, so this function counts the # in a guy's sector
diff --git a/Strategic/PreBattle Interface.cpp b/Strategic/PreBattle Interface.cpp
index e41abfa2..17dbfceb 100644
--- a/Strategic/PreBattle Interface.cpp	
+++ b/Strategic/PreBattle Interface.cpp	
@@ -2285,7 +2285,7 @@ void RetreatAllInvolvedMilitiaGroups()
 	// if we haven't found a good direction yet, we have to pick the best adjacent sector we can find
 	if ( !found )
 	{
-		INT32 besttime = 1000000;
+		INT32 besttime = 0xffffffff;
 		UINT8 usDirection = NORTH_STRATEGIC_MOVE;
 		for ( UINT8 i = 0; i < 4; ++i )
 		{
@@ -2316,6 +2316,9 @@ void RetreatAllInvolvedMilitiaGroups()
 			if ( loopX < 1 || loopX >= MAP_WORLD_X - 1 || loopY < 1 || loopY >= MAP_WORLD_Y - 1 )
 				continue;
 
+			if ( SectorIsImpassable( SECTOR( pGroup->ubSectorX, pGroup->ubSectorY ), usDirection ) )
+				continue;
+
 			// don't retreat into an occupied sector!
 			if ( NumNonPlayerTeamMembersInSector( loopX, loopY, ENEMY_TEAM ) > 0 )
 				continue;
diff --git a/Strategic/Strategic Movement Costs.cpp b/Strategic/Strategic Movement Costs.cpp
index bd57a819..ff6c280e 100644
--- a/Strategic/Strategic Movement Costs.cpp	
+++ b/Strategic/Strategic Movement Costs.cpp	
@@ -694,11 +694,11 @@ UINT8 GetTraversability( INT16 sStartSector, INT16 sEndSector )
 	return( SectorInfo[ sStartSector ].ubTraversability[ ubDirection ] );
 }
 
-BOOLEAN SectorIsImpassable( INT16 sSector )
+BOOLEAN SectorIsImpassable( INT16 sSector, UINT8 aDirection )
 {
-	// returns true if the sector is impassable in all directions
-	return( SectorInfo[ sSector ].ubTraversability[ THROUGH_STRATEGIC_MOVE ] == GROUNDBARRIER ||
-		SectorInfo[ sSector ].ubTraversability[ THROUGH_STRATEGIC_MOVE ] == EDGEOFWORLD );
+	// returns true if the sector is impassable in direction
+	return( SectorInfo[ sSector ].ubTraversability[aDirection] == GROUNDBARRIER ||
+		SectorInfo[ sSector ].ubTraversability[aDirection] == EDGEOFWORLD );
 }
 
 UINT8 gubEncryptionArray3[ BASE_NUMBER_OF_ROTATION_ARRAYS * 3 ][ NEW_ROTATION_ARRAY_SIZE ] =
diff --git a/Strategic/Strategic Movement.h b/Strategic/Strategic Movement.h
index d946d894..76f99764 100644
--- a/Strategic/Strategic Movement.h	
+++ b/Strategic/Strategic Movement.h	
@@ -319,7 +319,7 @@ void RandomizePatrolGroupLocation( GROUP *pGroup );
 
 BOOLEAN InitStrategicMovementCosts();
 
-BOOLEAN SectorIsImpassable( INT16 sSector );
+BOOLEAN SectorIsImpassable( INT16 sSector, UINT8 aDirection = THROUGH_STRATEGIC_MOVE );
 
 void PlaceGroupInSector( UINT8 ubGroupID, INT16 sPrevX, INT16 sPrevY, INT16 sNextX, INT16 sNextY, INT8 bZ, BOOLEAN fCheckForBattle );