The positions of the units in the western frontier districts (Leningrad, Baltic, Western, Kiev, and Odessa) are pretty exact, being mostly taken from Soviet maps, and occasionally from descriptions in unit histories. The biggest problem lies in units that were spread over more than one hex! The positions of units in the interior districts are less precise, being in most cases based on the peacetime "cantonment area" or billeting. Since some units had already been alerted to move into the reserves, it is not always certain that they were, in fact, still in those billets.

All of the units of the Strategic Reserve Forces, especially 16th, 19th, and 21st Armies, could be placed on the map entrained on 22 June: they were all in transit, which means in most cases that units were spread out on the rail lines stretching for, in some cases, hundreds of kilometers down the tracks! Obviously, their map board positions are an approximation.

I placed the position AA according to known PVO concentrations and units. In truth, many of the position AA could be placed almost anywhere, as there was a scattering of separate regiments and battalions all over the map near every major or minor city near the frontier.

This is obviously NOT an optimum wargame set up. It wasn't even a very good set up for the real war, as events proved, but there is a "historical" way to Vary it a bit. After both sides have set up, but before any German movement or attacking starts, roll one die for each border Military District. On a roll of 1 or 2 for Odessa, Leningrad, or Baltic MDs; and a roll of 1 for Western or Kiev MDs, you may "bring that district to a higher alert status" (taking the risk that Stalin will call it a 'provocation' and have you shot in the hours before the German attack!).

If you are allowed to raise the alert status in a district, you may move any units in that district that are within 5 hexes of the frontier up to one hex in any direction. Additionally, on a die roll of 1, 2, or 3 a fortified area in the district is raised to full fort status (roll separately for each one). Historically, parts of Kiev SMD and Odessa MD were "on alert. just before the Germans attacked, and it made a difference in their resistance compared to the completely surprised Western SMD. 

In issues # 21 and #22 of the Europa magazine, Charles Sharp provided readers with a historical Soviet deployment for play of Fire in the East/Scorched Earth. Here are some additional notes on the 22 June 1941 placements. - Editor