From the start of Operation Barbarossa in June 1941 to the collapse of Germany in May 1945, the Soviet Union marshalled its forces with almost single-minded determination to destroy the Axis forces of Germany's Eastern Front. The only diversion from this effort was the occupation of northern Iran, in order to remove a potential foe and to open a secure line of communications for Allied lend-lease.

With the publication of Scorched Earth, the map and counters necessary to cover the Soviet Union's effort in the Near East are available. The following rules and order of battle add the Red Army to WAR IN THE DESERT.

RULES ADDITIONS TO WAR IN THE DESERT

1x 7-4-8 Tank XX 6(w)

5x 4-7 Mtn Rifle XX 9, 20, 47, 76, 77(w)

5x 4-6 Rifle XX 4. 31, 38, 89, 224

2x 3-4-7 Mtn Rifle XX 63, 138(w)

1x 3-7 Mtn Rifle XX 751(w)

18x 3-6 RifIe XX 136, 223, 236M, 261, 317, 345, 386, 389, 392, 394, 396, 402, 406, 407, 408, 409, 416, 417

1x 4-3-8 Cav XX 24

3x 3-8 Cav XX 23, 24, 37

2x 3-2-8 Mtn Cav XX 1, 17(w)

1x 2-1-8 Lt Tank Cadre 54

5x 2-1 -8 Tank X 52, 54, 151, 191, 227

4x 0-1-5 Border lll (NKVD)

1x 3-2-8 Art X

3x 2-6 Art X

1x 1-6 Lt AA III

1x 0-5 Cons III

5 pts Hv AA

5 pts Lt AA

2x fort

Air Units

3C. GEOGRAPHY. For game purposes, the Transcaucasus Military District (MO) consists of all hexs in the Soviet Union on Map ASIA,

3E. REGIMENTAL EQUIVALENTS. A Soviet division is 3 REs in size.

7A. RAILROADS. All rail lines in the Transcaucasus MD and the rail line from the MID to Tabriz are broad gauge. The Soviet rail capacity is 15 REs may be used only on broad gauge rail lines.

10. ARMOR/ANTITANK EFFECTS. A Soviet tank unit has the following values: Full AECA, Full AECD, Full ATEC. A Soviet light tank unit has following values: Full AECA, 1/2 AECD, 1/2 ATEC.

12B2. SOVIET SUPPLY TERMINALS. Each full or partial city hex in the Transcaucasus MID is a supply terminal for Soviet forces.

12C. ATTACK SUPPLY. Soviet units do not use steps of supply for attack supply. Instead, a Soviet unit is in attack supply if it can trace a supply to a Soviet supply terminal. This line is traced the same as a general supply line. with the following exception: no more than 7 hexes of it road/ element may be traced on a road. (Note that this exception applies only to a Soviet attack supply line, and not to a Soviet general supply in

26A. PORTS. All cities on coastal hexes on the Caspian Sea are major ports.

26B2. SOVIET ON-MAP SHIPPING. While the Transcaucasus MID is activated (see Rule 28B6 below), the Allied player receives a 4 RE Soviet shipping capability in the Caspian Sea.

28B1. ALLIED CO-OPERATION, Soviet forces are distinct from all other Allied forces In addition, Soviet forces may not operate with other All forces: 1) Soviet ground units may not stack with other Allied units. 2) Soviet and other Allied units may not attack together. 3) Soviet and other Allied air units may not fly to the same target hex.

28B2. GARRISONS. Soviet forces must garrison certain areas. Any Soviet unit except position AA may be part of a Soviet garrison. Soviet forces must garrison the Soviet-Turkish border area: the garrison must be 35 REs, of which at least 9 REs must be of mountain units, a must be in the Soviet Union within 3 hexes of the Soviet-Turkish border. Due to events on the German-Soviet front, no garrison is required for Turkish border area on and after Jul 142. While Iran is neutral, Soviet forces must garrison the Soviet-Iranian border area: the garrison must be 10 REs and must be in the Soviet Union with 3 hexes of the Soviet-Iranian border, Starting with the game turn following the Surrender of Iran, Soviet forces must garrison northern Iran: garrison must be 10 REs and must be in northern Iran. Northern Iran consists of all hexes in Iran on and north of weather line D. Once the Transcaucasus MID is activated, no garrison is required for the Iranian border/northern Iran.

2BB4. ALLIED RAIDING FORCES. The Allied player may make one partisan attack per month against any Axis airbase in the Soviet Union The partisan attack is resolved the same as a Paid against an Axis airbase.

28B6. SOVIET FORCES. Up to Jun II 41, the Soviet Union is neutral. Neither side may enter the Soviet Union, and the Allied player may not move Soviet forces. The Soviet Union enters the war against the Axis on Jun II 41. On and after that turn, the Allied player controls the Soviet forces with the following rules. Soviet forces have a limited operational area, which depends on whether or not the Transcaucasus MD is activiated It the MD is not activated, Soviet forces may operate (move, attack hexes, base, fly to target hexes) in the MID and in northern Iran. If the MID is activated, Soviet forces may operate. the MID, Iran (anywhere), and Iraq. The MID is activated when any Axis ground unit enters any hex in the MID or Iran. Once activated it remains activated for the rest of the game.

28E3. IRAN. Ignore the 3rd paragraph of this rule. Use the following surrender die roll mods in place of those in the rule: Plus 2 if Tehran is Allied controlled. Plus 1 for every two Iranian cities (except Tehran) that are Allied controlled. Minus I for each RE of Axis units in Iran.

28F. WEATHER (OPTIONAL). Use the Scorched Earth weather rules (SE Rule 30) and weather chart for weather in zones C &D.

29A4. SOVIET REINFORCEMENTS. Soviet reinforcements are placed in any dot or major cities in the Transcaucasus MD.

29B6. SOVIET REPLACEMENTS. Soviet replacements are placed the same as Soviet reinforcements.

30. PREPARING FOR PLAY. Place map 9A so that it overlaps the northern areas of maps 21 and 22. The Allied player places Soviet forces in the Transcaucasus MD, per the OB instructions and border garrison requirements.

31C. VICTORY POINTS. The Axis player receives 30 victory points the first time he captures Baku. He receives 50 victory points each 6-month period if he controls all major cities in the Transcaucasus MO.

32K. SOVIET MOBILITY LIMITS. Use Scorched Earth Rule 31C.

33J. SOVIET FRAGILE DIVISIONS (OPTIONAL). Use Scorched Earth Rule 34E.

SOVIET ORDER OF BATTLE, RED DESERT

TRANSCAUCASUS MILITARY DISTRICT. Place 40 REs within 3 hexes of the Soviet border from 9A:0733 to 9A:2409. Place ALL remaining units in any major cities in the district.

5x 4-7 Mtn Rifle XX 9,20,47, 76, 77(w)

3x 4-6 Rifle XX 4, 31, 224

2x 3-4-7 Mtn Rifle XX 63, 138(w)

1x 3-6 Rifle XX 136

1x 4-3-8 Cav XX 24

1x 3-2-8 Mtn Cav XX 17(w)

4x 0-1 -5 Border III (NKVD)

1x 3-2-8 Art X

3x 2-6 Art X

1x 1-6 Lt AA III

1x 0-5 Cons III

Hex 9A:0733:

1x Fort

Hex 9A:1226: 1x Fort

28th Mechanized Corps:

1x 7-4-8 Tank XX 6(w)
1x 2-1 -8 Lt Tank Cadre 54
1x 3-6 Rifle XX 236M

INITIAL CONDITIONS:

SOVIET AIR FORCE AND AIR DEFENSES:

1x DB-3B (2B3 1-2/241
1x 1-153 (3F3 0/9)
1x 1-16 (4F3 0/9)
1x SB-2 (2A2 1-1/12)

Baku (9A:1506):

3 Pts Hv AA 2 Pts Lt AA Tbilisi (9A:0822)
1 Pt Hv AA Yerevan (9A:1624): 1 Pt Hv AA

REINFORCEMENTS:

1x 3-8 Cav XX - 37

Jul II 41

1x 3-2-8 Mtn Cav XX - 1 (w)
(Withdraw:)

1x 7-4-8 Tank XX - 6(w)
2x 4-7 Mtn Rfl XX - 47, 76(w)
1x 3-2-8 Art X
1x 2-6 Art X
1x 1-6 Lt AA III

1x 3-8 Cav XX - 23

Sep I 41

5x 3-6 Rfl XX - 317,389,394.402,409

(Withdraw:)
1x 4-6 Rifle XX - 31
1x 3-6 Rfl XX - 136
1x 3-8 Cav XX - 37

Oct I 41

6x 3-6 RfI XX - 223, 345, 386, 396, 406, 407
Convert: 1x 2-1 -8 Lt Tank Cadre 54 to: 1x 2-1 -8 Tank X - 54

Nov I 41

(Withdraw:)


1x 4-6 Rfl XX - 224
1x 3-4-7 Mtn Rfl XX - 63(w)
1x 3-6 Rfl XX - 317
1x 4-3-8 Cav XX - 24
1x 3-2-8 Mtn Cav XX - 17(w)
1x 2-6 Art X

Dec I 41

1x 3-7 Mtn Rfl XX - 75(w)
(Withdraw:)


1x 4-7 Mtn Rfl XX - 77(w)
1x 3-4-7 Mtn Rfl XX - 138(w)
4x 3-6 Rfl XX - 236M, 345. 386, 396
1x 2-1-8 Tank X - 54

Jan I 42

1x 4-6 Rfl XX - 89
1x 3-6 Rfl XX - 392

Apr I 42

2x 3-6 Rfl XX - 408, 417
Convert: 1x DB-3B to: 1x LaGG-3 - (5F4 0/7)

May I 42

1x 3-6 Rfl XX - 416
1x 2-1-8 Tank X - 52
Convert: 1x 1-153 to: 1x LaGG-3 - (5F4 017)

Jun I 42

1x 2-1 -8 Tank X - 151
Replacement Pool: Add:
2x 2-1-8 Tank X - 191, 227

Jul I 42

Air Unit Repair: 1, 2
Convert: 1x 1- 16 to: 1x Yak-1 - (5F5 1/9)
Convert: 1x SB-2 to: 1 x 11-2 - (3A4 3/8)

(Withdraw:)
2x 4-7 Mtn RfI XX - 9, 20(w)
1x 4-6 Rfl XX - 89
5x 3-6 Rfl XX - 389,392,394,408,41
1x 2-1 -8 Tank X - 52

Oct I 42

Withdraw
1x 4-6 RfI XX-4
5x 3-6 Rfl XX - 223,402,406,409,41

Apr I 43

1x 4-6 Rfl XX - 38
2x 3-6 Rfl XX - 136, 261
1x 3-8 Cav XX - 24

REPLACEMENTS: The Allied player receives Soviet replacements on the I turn of ea. month when the Transcaucasus MD is activated, at the following rate: 1 AIR - 1 ARMOR - 3 INFANTRY.

LEND-LEASE: The Soviet Transcaucasus forces receive Allied lend-lease south reinforcements once the Transcausasus MD is activated. (Before the MO is activated, it is assumed that these reinforcements are sent forward to the main Soviet theater.) Lend-lease south reinforcements are listed on the Allied lend-lease charts in Scorched Earth. They are received only if a rail/road element supply line can be traced from a part on the Persian Gulf to a Soviet supply terminal or to a port on the Caspian Sea. If the line cannot be traced, the lend-lease is accumulated for later entry.

Some Allied lend-lease is rated for use in Scorched Earth and is used as follows in War in the Desert: Armor RPs: Every two armor RPs equals one armor replacement. Resource Points: Ignore.

Aircraft: There may not be more than 4 Soviet air units in play. A lend-lease air unit maybe taken as a reinforcement only it there are fewer than 4 Soviet air units in play. A Soviet air unit in play may be converted to a lend-lease air unit.

ORDER OF BATTLE NOTES: The Soviet order of battle in Red Desert differs slightly from that of the Transcaucasus MD in Scorched Earth. Destroyed or disbanded Soviet units that were re-raised in the MD are added to the reinforcements. In SE, these units would enter play through use of the MD's replacement points. However, I have deducted from the 08 all units (reinforcements and replacements) that were raised in the MD but quickly transferred from the MD to the main theater. Thus, the OB covers only those forces which remain in the MD for a significant amount of time.