It seems to me that SBR 3 should have read "Mines and Wire may set up in Beach Locations and any Hinterland Locations." Thus allowing then to be adjacent to the beach. That is NA right now. They can be anywhere but in these adjacent hexes to a beach. That to me seems like a gap in your SBR. I doubt it was a gap in your intent for defensive options, was it? If so what was the historical reason the mines were on the beach, but not 40 meters from the beach, but then again found 80+ meters from the beach?
Since you asked for the historical reason I will supply it, although that really should have no primary bearing on why I designed the scenario that way.
The historical reason is that the Japanese did place some mines on the beach. The official record does not mention them placing any further inland. The mines on the beach did knock out two of the three Shermans that landed, destroyed a jeep and a truck. There were no Japanese infantry or pillboxes or wire and trenches near the beach.....further inland and in caves overlooking the landing beach. I gave the Japanese a more flexible defense allowing them to place their units "close" to the beach ( at least two hexes away) rather than forcing them to set up way to the rear of the landing area and making it a dull, last two turns dash to win kind of thing. In reality, that is what it was. Makes for a boring scenario though.
Now, if you really want to place your mines and wire anywhere go ahead. I cannot vouch for any balance issues that may come up. The INTENT is to place everything the Japanese player has available at least two hexes from any beach hex, wiith an option to place mines and wire on the beach itself. If you decide not to use that option, then do not use it. It is an option, not a requirment.
The set up directions are what they are. If not being able to place mines and wire adjacent to a beach hex destroys your planned defense I apologize. Maybe I should have put into the set ups that the mines and wire can ONLY be placed on a beach hex and not allow the Japanese player any flexability in that regard. Personally I dislike such tight restrictions for my set ups, but that is just me. I try to give players options when playing one of my scenarios.
Not really trying to sound like a prick though it probably seems that way.....more confused as to why there is an issue in the first place. Set ups seem pretty straight forward to me. Japnese set up at least two hexes from any beach location. Mines and Wire may set up in a beach hex. No where does it state the mines and wire may set up in a beach hex or any hinterland location. The Japanese set up in any hinterland location "that is at least two hexes away from any beach hex". I guess I am just not following where you get your statement from.
If you and I were to play this scenario and you had placed any of your mines or wire adjacent to a beach hex, I would tell you that was an illegal set up per the set up instructions on the scenario card. If you disagreed, we would need to choose a different scenario then.