I have finished setting up the at start forces for my solo game of A Winter War. I've decided to be a masochist and let everyone see my set-up. I'm also using the Rule 36A. Advanced Game Mechanics (supply), Rule 36B. Armor and Antitank Effects, John Astell's "Forest Fright" rule, (except for Winter-capable and NKVD units, Soviet units may not enter a forest hex during the movement phase unless the hex contains a road or rail line.) and the variable overrun chart from TEM #40. (but if it gets used very often I'll be surprised.)

I placed two stacks of ski and artillery on the rail lines forward of the Mannerheim Line to prevent the Soviets from staging an attack on the first turn. The most vulnerable hex (4717) can't be reached by Soviet ground forces. Lake Lagoda's end of the Mannerheim Line is behind an unfrozen lake and river (with ski and artillery in front) and hence safe for the weak defense there. I'm hoping that the ski troops will be able to retreat before combat so I can use them to bolster the defense of the line. I can rebuild the artillery on the Finns' turn. Most other ski units are placed to retreat before combat and slow or delay the Soviets until I can get reinforcements to their sector. I had to place the 6th Rifle out of position to protect a road. All "A" division units are placed at 4517 so as to construct the division as quick as possible.

I plan to keep all of my strongest units in Karelia. I want to pound through the Mannerheim line as soon as possible. In the Northern Front sector, I plan to transfer several 3-6 and 4-6 XXs to reinforce and move out as quickly as possible. Due to the nature of the supply rules, I have to go as far into Finland as possible. Attacking and eliminating the Finnish ski units is a high priority. A plan to trap the Petsamo garrison against Norway is foiled by the placement of the second ski unit there. I placed a fighter at Tallinn to counter the Finnish Air in Helsinki. This weakens any attack against Tampere but gains escort for terror bombing missions.

(All hexes are Map 35.)

Finns

Kannaksen Army

4717
4-5-6 Rifle XX
2-6* Rifle X
1-6* Rifle X
0-1-0 Art II

4616
4-5-6 Rifle XX
2-6* Rifle X

4615
4-5-6 Rifle XX
2-6* Rifle X

4614
4-5-6 Rifle XX
0-1-6 Rifle III

4613
4-5-6 Rifle XX
0-1-6 Rifle III

4815
1-2-8 Ski X
1-8 Ski III
1-6 Art III

4714
1-8 Ski III
0-1-6 Rifle III
2-6 Art III

4514
0-6 Lt Arm II
0- 1-5 Con III

4th Army

4110 3-4-6* Rifle XX

3709 3-4-6* Rifle XX

4008
1-2-6 Ski III
1-6* Ski III

3512 0-1-5 Con III

NFDA (5th Army Corps)
2612 1-6* Ski III
2109 1-2-6 Ski III
1508 1-6* Ski III
0304 1-6 Ski III

Coastal Command
4517 1-6 Rifle III (A)
4521 0-1-6 Rifle III
4526 0-1-6 Rifle III
4518 0-1-8 Cycle III
4530 0-1-6 Rifle III

High Command Reserves

2912 4-5-6 Rifle XX

4517 1-6 Ski III (A) 1-2-6 Rifle III (A)

0404 1-6 Ski III

3317 0-6 RR Eng III

3 pts AA Tampere
2 pts AA Helsinki

Both air units are placed in Helsinki.

Soviets

Northwest Front Seventh Army

4814
2x 5-6 Rifle XX
2x 3-2-8 Tank X

4813
2x 4-6 Rifle XX
1-2-6* Mot MG X
2-6 Art X
0-3-0* Fort X

4915
2x 4-6 Rifle XX
2x 3-2-8 Tank X
3-2-8 Art X

4914
3-6 Rifle XX (w)
3-6 Rifle XX
1-6 Rifle III
1-6 Lt AA III
2-6 Art X

5013
1-6 Eng III
0- 1-5 Con III

Group Grendal (13th Army)
5014
4-6 Rifle XX
2-1-8 Lt Tank X
1-8 Cav III

Leningrad MD reserves
4814
4-2-8 Art X
2-0-6 Art X

Northern Front

Eighth Army

4509 3-6 Rifle XX

4207
4-6 Rifle XX (w)
4-6 Rifle XX
3-2-8 Tank X
1-6 Lt AA III
3-2-8 Art X

4205
0- 1-5 Bdr III (NKVD)
0-5 Con III

3708
2x 3-6 Rifle XX
1-6 Eng III

Ninth Army

3110 4-6 Rifle XX

2510
4-6 Rifle XX
1-6 Rifle III

2508 0-1-8 Bdr III (NKVD)

2208
4-8 Mot XX
1-6 Eng III
2-6 Art X

2107 0-1-8 Bdr III (NKVD)

1605
0-1-8 Bdr III (NKVD)
0-5 Con III

1507
3-6 Rifle XX
1-6 Rifle III (w)

Fourteenth Army

0701 4-6 Rifle XX

0403 4-6 Rifle XX (w)

0504 4-6 Rifle XX (w)

Soviet Air Unit Setup