Order of Battle

Further OB research indicates that the 1-6 Eng forces in the Soviet 8th and 9th Armies were accounted for in the engineering reinforcements. The following changes should improve the Soviet order of battle in A Winter War.

Soviet Initial Forces

Remove: 2x 1-6 Eng III 8,9
Add to Soviet Strategic Reserve. 2x 1-6 Eng III 8,9
Dec II 39
Release from Strategic Reserve: 2x 1-6 Eng III 8,9
Delete the arrival of: 1x 1-6 Eng III 13
Feb I 40
Arrive: 1x 1-6 Eng III 13

Western Intervention

Based on player feedback, I have rethought Western Intervention. Although it works in the main, some low probability events early in the game can damage play. Make the following official changes to the rules as written:

Addition: Rule 31A. On a roll of 2 (only), Limited Western intervention is triggered. This consists of the first paragraph of 3 1 C Intervention only. The two air units are considered Finnish for all purposes. Ignore 3 1 B and the remainder of 3 1 C.

Change: Rule 31C 3rd Paragraph to: All units of the Soviet strategic reserve are immediately released for active operations when a ground unit of the Western intervention force is deployed outside weather zone A.

Fighter Superiority

Players have asked that since the Finnish and Allied fighters receive a -1 modifier to their attacks against the Soviets, Should not the Soviets get a +1 when attacking Finnish/British fighters also. I agree although the rules as written do not.

21B4 Addition. Soviet air units attacking Finnish/British fighters receive an additional +1 die roll modifier.

Additional Soviet Deployment Restrictions

John Astell recommends the following additional Soviet deployment restrictions:

Except for Winter-Capable and NKVD units, Soviet units may only deploy in or adjacent to hexes containing a road or rail line. Winter-Capable and NKVD units may deploy anywhere in their army's deployment zone.

Also, it has been my experience that A Winter War works great with the new air system. Any reasonable adaptation works. I have been wanting to test out Arthur Goodwin's naval system, similar to what appeared in TEM #54, too.

Finally, I'm trying the following as an experimental rule. If you try it let me know how it works: "Finnish units stack in hexes that have a coast defense value are considered supported."